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filters | water dispensers | bathing children | fluoride

Water

One of the most likely questions you will have when you arrive is 'Can we drink the water, brush our teeth in it, cook with it, bathe with it?'

You can not drink the tap water, not even boiled tap water.

It is safe to bathe in, however young children should be closely monitored to ensure they are not drinking the bath water as it can contain very dangerous levels of bacteria such as e-coli.

See www.expat.or.id/info/watertreatment.html for an understanding of how the water system works in Jakarta.

The Department of Health will test your water and you may want to do this before signing your lease.

Take a 2 litre sample of water in a clean container and take a member of your staff with you to help translate. The technicians there can carry out testing on chemical and bacterial contamination, which takes around 2 weeks to get the results, while charging only a small fee.

Department Kesehatan
Balai Laboratorium, Kesehatan, Jalan Percetakan Negara 23A, Jakarta Pusat
Tel: 021 421 2524
Fax: 021 4280 4339

Filters

When negotiating a new lease on a house try and include the installation of a water filter if it doesn't already have one. Some water filters can make the household water much easier to deal with i.e. not turning your laundry grey. However it is not advisable to drink from the taps as bacteria can still get through. If you do get a water filter, make sure you have a service contract to clean and repair the filters regularly. Check the AWA's Shoppers Guide for listings. Also look at www.expat.or.id/info/homerepairs.html.

Water Dispensers

It is common practise to have a water dispenser in your kitchen for all drinking and cooking and to have drinking water in the bathrooms for teeth brushing, taking tablets etc. You can buy your own water dispenser from stores like Carrefour or Makro or even from an expat that is leaving. Make sure your staff have one too ensuring that everyone stays healthy. Bottled water can be delivered to your home, get one of your staff to look after ordering and payment. You will need to contract for weekly delivery. The 2 main suppliers in Jakarta are;

PT Alfindo Putra Setia (Ades)
Jl Sunter Utara No.1/B1/N2, Sunter
Tel: 021 632 7725

• 09:00-17:00 weekdays

PT Tirta Investama (Aqua)
Jl Pulo Lentut No.3, Kawasan Industri Pulo Gadung
Tel: 021 460 9166 / 021 750 7624 / 021 331 170

• 08:00-17:00 weekdays

Bathing children

Most parents do bath their children in tap water. Making sure they don't drink it is the main concern, if you are worried here are some tips;

Fluoride

Fluoride is not present in drinking water (aqua) therefore you may wish to see your doctor/dentist for advice about whether to give your child fluoride or not and how best to do this i.e. drops, tablets or toothpaste. It is also important not to give too much fluoride as this can cause staining of the teeth so it's a good idea to discuss it with your dentist.

Source - American Academy of Pediatrics, Dentristry School Special issue reference manual, 1994-95.

For further guidance go to http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/floride.asp

For more detailed information about water please visit http://www.expat.or.id/info/watertreatment.html
and http://www.expat.or.id/info/bottledwater.html

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