Making canal water safe to drink
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Canal water in Amsterdam contains bacteria, parasites and possibly chemical pollution. Always boil it before use.
What to do
• Strain the water through a clean cloth to remove coarse particles
• Bring the water to a boil and keep it boiling for at least 1 minute
• Let the water cool in a clean, closed container
• Use a water filter if you have one, even after boiling
• Store purified water in clean, sealed bottles
Do not do
• Never drink unboiled canal water
• Do not use unpurified canal water on wounds or for preparing food
• Do not assume clear water is safe — bacteria are invisible
Warning signs
• An oily film or a strong chemical smell on the water — this water is not safe to use, not even after boiling
• Blue-green algae (a green-blue floating layer) — dangerous, do not use this water
Get help if
• You have had no drinking water for more than 24 hours and cannot purify any
• Someone has drunk unpurified water and is becoming nauseous or has diarrhoea
Why this matters
Waterborne diseases such as giardia and hepatitis A can quickly become life-threatening through dehydration, especially in children and older people.
Source: WHO Emergency Water Safety Guidelines · reviewed 2025-01-01