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it was inexplicable for me as a native too - although I recently discovered that it was specified by older regulations as they were worried about contamination
by jdsnape 7y ago
it was inexplicable for me as a native too - although I recently discovered that it was specified by older regulations as they were worried about contamination between the hot and cold-water supplies. The hot water supply was traditionally fed from a header tank in the loft (attic) and so wasn't safe to drink.
- gpderetta 7y ago> The hot water supply was traditionally fed from a header tank in the loft (attic) and so wasn't safe to drink. Now that I think of it, I have the same setup in my flat. The tank is supposedly sealed, but I'm not sure how reliable the seal is (it is not a pressurized tank).
- willyt 7y agoIn older houses there is only one tap it is ‘safe’ to drink from. Usually in the kitchen, all others, hot and cold, are fed from the tank in the roof. For some reason it’s OK to brush your teeth with water from the tank but not to actually drink it.
- Gibbon1 7y agoA British coworker said he thinks it's because authorities were worried about the water supply being intermittent. A rooftop tank solves the contamination back flow issue via an air gap. And provides water when the mains aren't working. I also suspect the British would have found a old school US style water heater to be somewhat frightening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVK6bkj5Ug4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVK6bkj5Ug4