The Living, Dangerous Water

When the source of life becomes a source of concern

I’ve Started to Fear Water.

Yes, I know it sounds strange—maybe even a little paranoid—but I find myself feeling uneasy every time I approach water. Washing my face, showering, doing the dishes—this fear follows me like a shadow, clinging to me.

I eye every glass of water I drink outside my apartment with suspicion, making sure it was poured from a filtered source. I scan the room, checking that others are drinking from the same water. At the very least, if something happens to me, I won’t be alone.

Filtered water has a distinct sweetness to it—I remember that from Mexico. That subtle sweetness is a sign, like a secret code that immediately tells you whether you're drinking safe water or not. So with every sip, I search for that sweetness, carefully examining my glass, looking for that reassuring hint of safety.

And what about ice? Was it made from filtered water? What about the dishes that haven’t fully dried after washing? Those tiny, sneaky droplets left behind on a plate or a glass, just waiting for me to let my guard down.

I know I can’t protect myself completely. I can’t live in a sterile bubble. But I do want to be cautious and make sure I’ve done everything I can to stay healthy. That’s why I bought a filtered water bottle before coming here. I knew that in some places, water can be a real risk.

I’m well aware that tap water isn’t safe to drink here, and I quickly adjusted to the new reality of filtered water only. When I arrived at my first apartment in Manila, I was given a 19-liter jug of filtered water, which lasted me five days. After that, I bought a 5-liter bottle at the supermarket for ₱70 (₪4.70/$1.30 USD), and it took me two days to drink just half of it.

When I moved to my new apartment, where I’ll be staying for a month, I saw the same blue water jug. The landlord explained that the water company is in the shopping center downstairs and offers a delivery service for apartments in the area. A new jug costs ₱250 (₪16.70/$4.50 USD), and refilling an existing jug costs ₱55 (₪3.70/$1 USD). I scheduled a time for delivery, and they brought the heavy, full jug right to my door.

It’s an entirely different way of managing water than what I’m used to. Instead of turning on a tap and drinking freely, there’s a whole system of purchasing, storing, and planning for water consumption. What once seemed so trivial has now become something I need to think about and organize.

I even brush my teeth with filtered water from a drinking glass. In the past, in other places, I found it odd that people did this when they had clean tap water. Now, I’m one of them. These are the small adaptations that come with life in new places—things I’ll have to get used to.

I even consulted Chat GPT about water safety here. Not just about drinking water, but about other daily routines. What about washing my face? What happens if water gets in my eyes? These are questions I never thought I’d have to ask.

The AI reassured me that washing my face was fine as long as I didn’t swallow the water. It even gave me tips about using wipes after showering if my skin is sensitive and changing towels frequently to prevent bacteria buildup. Useful advice—but also a reminder that I’m surrounded by small risks everywhere.

Ugh. Sometimes, it feels like there are too many things to worry about.

But then I remind myself I prepared for this. I take daily vitamins to strengthen my immune system. I remind myself that millions of people live here full, happy, and healthy lives. And me? I’m only here for a few short months.

At the end of the day, maybe my fear is just another form of culture shock. Another step in the process of adjusting, of learning the new rules, of adapting to how things work here.

And maybe, like most of our fears, this one will fade too—one sip of filtered water at a time.

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