Water Quality @ WDW

[larryz]

Sulfur water does not constitute bad water. The only reason for a filter system is make it taste better. When I drilled my well they told me I had great water. I really didn't need a filter. Of course maybe you're an expert.

Indeed, people used to pay for the privilege of drinking that sulfurous water.

 

[NelleBelle]

I feel bad for those of you who have to drink water with that has this kind of a taste. Water has no flavor, it is the impurities in it that we are tasting. The city water where I live has very very little taste to it at all. It is one of the cleanest tap waters that I have tasted and we are in a very hard water zone. Hard enough to where it will build up on your faucets. But they treat it so it does not have any nasty flavor. I think the pool water has a clearer taste then the tap water at WDW. I think maybe they need a bit more chlorine in the water to kill some of the bacteria we are tasting. The nasty water makes everything taste different. The soda, coffee, tea, etc. I bring my own coffee from home and if I use Florida water then it tastes completely different. I can also taste the difference in the soda if they put ice in it. Trust me, things taste so much better in other places. The water really does change the flavor of things there.

Totally agree with this! Seattle is known for it's coffee. But the big part of our coffee is our water. Buy any of our coffee and take it elsewhere and it does not taste the same! I absolutely detest FL water so we end up buying bottled water (tried the filtered reusable bottle...nope! Can still taste whatever is in the water...blech!)

 

[jaklgreen]

Totally agree with this! Seattle is known for it's coffee. But the big part of our coffee is our water. Buy any of our coffee and take it elsewhere and it does not taste the same! I absolutely detest FL water so we end up buying bottled water (tried the filtered reusable bottle...nope! Can still taste whatever is in the water...blech!)

It is the same with baking. The water mineral content is a huge factor in how the bread will turn out. Even though our water has little taste, the mineral content in it makes horrible bread. You can not get that crusty french type of texture. They say there is nothing like a New York pizza crust or bagel. It's because of the water.

 

[cleosmaster17]

Hello. First time caller here. Actually just new to the forum. I just wanted to share a link. I asked a Disney manager one day and was curious about their water. They do process their own water according to him here. https://goo.gl/maps/S9AdJ7gECLz Thanks and have a good day.

 

[clarabellej]

I think most would agree that WDW works hard to ensure that every aspect of your experience at the resort is as perfect as possible. So why in almost 50 years, have they not done something to treat the water on property? It has a very strong sulfer taste and seems to be a problem with the water quality in the entire Orlando area. I get that it would be expensive to develop their own water treatment facility, but am curious if anyone has any other insight on why WDW hasn't made a bigger effort to have guests drinking the best tasting water on the planet.

I agree that the free water tastes pretty darn good!!!

Hate seeing people by the bottled stuff.

Maybe because I have traveled places where I truly could not drink the water!

 

[J_Carioca]

I detest the taste of Disney water but I have noticed that it changes over time. On some trips I literally could not bear to drink it. On my last trip it was bad but somewhat bearable, but the trip before that I remember thinking that the taste of the water had improved a lot. Who knows why? And to be honest, I don't notice a big improvement in terms of the water at restaurants vs. the water in fountains or regular taps.

I don't drink pop or juice so water is a big deal for me. And I refuse to go through four or five plastic bottles of water per day...such a huge waste and I don't even know if the bottles get recycled. I vote for the refillable bottles with a built-in filter.

 

[DVC4bestvacations]

We stayed at OKW and CBR last week. The water from the shower at CBR had a strong sulfer smell. OKW no sulfur smell at all. I still use bottled water to make my coffee.

 

[LAKid53]

What water in particular? At the restaurants, the park, the hotels exactly where.
Fl water has a reputation for being "hard" and it is in comparision to other areas.
For people not from FL it can have taste issues.
I live in FL and sometimes when in another state I can taste a difference in the water and must drink bottled water.
I do not have an issue with the water in most places but my wife only drinks bottled. My taste buds are no where as sensetive as hers.

The water in South Florida is a tad softer than what we have up here in North Florida. And our water tastes better.

Potable water is regulated by the EPA. Why would Disney want to build its own water plant, having to meet both EPA and DEP regs for water quality, treatment, disposal when it can pay the City of Orlando or Orange County for water? Its not going to be just water, but installing and maintaining water mains, pumping stations, etc.

Bottled water is regulated by USDA.

I bring both a filtered water pitcher and a Brita filtered water bottle. That little carbon filter in the water bottle takes care of the funky Central Florida water taste.

 

[LAKid53]

Because they would prefer to sell you a $3.25 bottle of water.

Of filtered water from the local Coca Cola bottler that has the minerals added back in.

 

[LAKid53]

Sure...that's a simple answer, but what about the negative impact the poor water quality has on your table service dining experience or your experience at the resorts when brushing your teeth. It just seems that it's a pretty big issue considering how much we depend on water, and I'm wondering if there have ever been any plans to fix the issue?

I've never had an issue with the taste of the water served at my TS restaurant. Just the water from water fountains.

 

[LAKid53]

My grandparents used to live in up-upstate NY. A little place called Chazy, NY. Just about 15 miles from the Canadian border. They had a well and the sulfer taste and smell would make your eyes water. Probably bad for their health as they only lived to be in their mid-90's.

As for Disney's water... water is something that people need to survive. I think they have more then one source. I think the outside drinking water fountains are not extensively treated, but, are safe to drink. Then the water to the food service places are either filtered more or from a sophisticated water system or they will be happy to sell you a bottle of cold water. The last one is the one I get. I don't want to carry bottles of water around the park with me like a pack mule and I don't enjoy the water from the fountains because they are usually warm as the outside air. I will not ask for a free cup of ice water unless I am buying something else for the food service areas. I know that the thought that they sell water will make someone mistakenly accuse them of being a business. There are plenty of options available for people to use, They are not obligated to supply the fluids all of us need to stay healthy.. that is our job to take care of ourselves.

ALL potable water must be treated to a minimum standard. So that water raining from your showerhead is the same water coming out of your bathroom/kitchen faucet and water fountains. Yes, many restaurants additionally filter their water so food taste isn't affected.

 

[Goofyernmost]

ALL potable water must be treated to a minimum standard. So that water raining from your showerhead is the same water coming out of your bathroom/kitchen faucet and water fountains. Yes, many restaurants additionally filter their water so food taste isn't affected.

Agreed!

 

[LAKid53]

Potable water at Walt Disney World is effectively provided by Disney through the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It’s chlorinated well water. For most people the best tasting water will not be just H2O, so you’d have to create a mineral composition that is somehow deemed to be the best.

ALL Florida potable water comes from the various Florida aquifers. Some of the best drinking water around due to the Florida karst. Unless you live in Tampa. That taste is due to salt water intrusion.

 

[LAKid53]

Pretty sure drilling below bedrock in Florida increases the probability of sinkholes due to the prevalence of limestone, and don't forget the cost. You are not making that much money on water and ice, so why go through the added expense? This would be the same dilemma if Florida tried to capitalize on the abundant salt water surrounding the state, but have you looked at the cost of a desalinization plant? Just not cost effective for a little taste, smell, and water color difference.

That's not what increases the probability of sinkholes. Removing water from the particular aquifer faster than the aquifer can be recharged contributes to the development of a sinkhole. Along with the disolvement of the limestone as water seeps into the groundwater.

 

[LAKid53]

They use recycled water for the lawns and gardens....... maybe the lines got cross connected!!

Um, no. Secondary treated water is used by many municipalities for landscaping. Completely different water supply than potable.

 

[LAKid53]

The local tap water meets health and safety standards; it's just the taste that is objectionable ( to many, including me). And Disney does filter the water served at its restaurants which removes much, if not all, of the gagworthy sulfur taste. But I can't see any scenario where Disney would filter ALL of the water going through their pipes. Try to imagine the volume of water per day needed to supply every resort and park. Drinking water doesn't come from a separate system.( Although I think they use grey water for landscaping needs) The cost would be enormous- which of course would be passed on to guests in the form of higher prices. I'd rather just buy a case of water before checking in.

Potable water does come from a separate system. Floruda drinking water is ground, not surface water. Pulled from the aquifers via wells. Secondarily treated waste water can be used for landscaping, like watering a golf course.

 

[LAKid53]

You are probably closer to the truth than you think. My well is below bedrock. They hit water above bedrock but I had them drill further. I don't want to drink run off water (ground water). In Florida, I don't believe you can drill below bedrock to get water.

I don't know what you mean by bedrock. Florida's karst is primarily limestone. Drinking water wells, especially municipal ones, are drilled hundreds of feet to reach a source of groundwater - aquifer.

 

[LAKid53]

In Florida it's called reclaimed water and it is derived from a whole separate pipe system. Lie the person said you would have to cross pipes to have that happened, it certainly could happen. No if you have a well that's an entirely different issue, I would get purification system no question at all.

That would be one big mistake

 

[LAKid53]

Coca-Cola products are bottled locally, not centrally in Atlanta. Dasani in Orlando is Florida tap water.

Additionally filtered local tap water with the removed minerals added back.

 

[LAKid53]

Florida is heavily dependent on well water. Well water has a sulfurous odor and taste to it due to the minerals present. It's perfectly safe, and I, believe it or not, think it's kinda Disney for my Diet Coke to taste of the "Florida Ice".

Florida's drinking water is groundwater, i.e., water pumped from the various aquifers in the state. An excellent source of drinking water.