TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin orient village drinking water?

Hey all,
Just got a text from a family member who we are traveling with asking if the tap water in the village is currently safe to drink or to use bottled water? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Never drink the water in any foreign country, I don't care where it is, buy bottled water.

Not to be argumentative but we’ve traveled to SXM every year for the past 49 and we always drink the water there. We typically stay on the Dutchvside and the water is desalinated and has been in the resorts for as long as we’ve been visiting. Never had a problem although I have been cautioned not to drink tap water in many of the French lications. I don’t know if this is fact or fiction but I do know you’ll be fine drinking tap water at the Dutch resorts.

Now Mexico? That’s another issue.We went once and was careful but I never gave a thought to ice cubes put in a drink I enjoyed, but only enjoyed momentarily. This ice cube chewer paid the price a few hours later.

Many prefer bottled water anywhere but that’s a whole other issue. We have great tap water from our well at home and it is definitely my personal preference but gobeach his own.

I echo Pat's post. Never had a problem with tap water in sxm in over 30 years.

Water in St. Maarten and Aruba is made in Desalination Plants.
Better than water in US
Other things in this world are more important.

Personally, I prefer bottled water here in the US, but the water is normally safe in SXM, either side. The only exception would be if you are staying in a villa on a cistern. So, I would say, other than a cistern situation, it is personal preference.

Been drinking the tap water over 20 years on St Maarten. No problems.

The only water I buy is in ice form! French side villas usually have no ice maker or pretty slow ones.

If I know the source of the water, French-side or Dutch-Side, then I make an informed decision. If I know that the source is the more expensive desalinized water then that's one thing. If I don't know that, or if I know that the water supply is free water from a cistern, then that's another. If I don't know for sure then I drink bottled water.

I've never had a problem on SXM. Neither have the vast majority of those who drink SXM tap water without a care. My choice is based on having a problem with drinking water elsewhere, and the great desire to never experience that again.

Thanks everybody, greatly appreciated.19 days and counting!!!!

Pat I'm sure water here is okay but how old are the pipes carrying it?

I really wouldn’t venture a guess but at least as old as the latest storm damage/remodel, I’m sure.. From DH’s plumber standpoint, he suggests you don’t worry about it. Evry little ting - gonna’ be alright!!

We stayed in Orient Village from March 5 to March 12 of this year. Tap water is fine, but we did have water shut off every day from 9 AM to 6 PM. Alaways have some bottled water in reserve.
See my trip report.

Wow, EVERY DAY from 9 to 6?? Not good!!!!

I did not even think about it until like Day 2 on our last trip (which started in Orient Beach) but then said ah oh but, oh well and we just kept on drinking it. All was fine. We never drink the water in Mexico (prefer beer anyway) but have had the water all over Europe (despite the delightful wine and beer) without care.