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Dying for a Drink in a World Full of Water
Unsafe water claims a million lives every year
The moment I arrived at the hotel in Kuakata, I checked the tap water. I have some bad memories, so I no longer trust tap water — especially when I’m traveling to a distant place.
I came here with a group of friends to spend some time by the seaside before heading back to my overcrowded city, where fresh air is a rarity. I already knew the air in Kuakata would be excellent and the seascape breathtaking, so my attention immediately shifted to the tap water I’d be using over the next three days.
And boy, oh boy — I was totally disappointed when I turned on the tap.
The water was discolored, with a rusty hue and visible sediments swirling through it — clear signs of iron contamination and unfiltered dirt. My whole body shivered with disgust the moment I touched the water.
“You’re going to die if you take a sip of this!” I told my friend, “How on earth does a lovely hotel like this have water this bad? Disgusting!”
Finding no way, we decided to buy tons of bottled water for our daily use. So, the issue was addressed and I was in peace temporarily.
In the afternoon, while resting by the seaside and enjoying the mighty waves coming towards me and…
