Italian water

I don't know what to tell you olga. I've been all over Europe and have always used tap water. (I don't drink from outdoor faucets, even if they say "drinkable.") I do drink from purpose-built drinking fountains, but they are uncommon in Europe. (Most recently, I found one on the roof terrace of St. Peter's Basilica.) I refill my plastic bottle in the hotel room sink.

Maybe there is a misunderstanding. In most places "mineral" water is so heavily mineralized that it positively tastes salted. But most Italian mineral waters are actually very light in mineral content . For example the mineral water now on my kitchen table contains just 22,5 mg of salts every liter of water - an extremely low content. I can't understand how such a light water could provoke digestive issues.

As far as I know, health regulations are national, so contaminants would be monitored throughout the country.

You can buy distilled water in grocery stores, such as one might use for an iron, but -- perhaps obviously -- not in restaurants.

What do you drink at home?
Bottled water sold in America is not much different from the one sold in Italy. Does that give you problems?
I generally don't drink tap water, not even in California, but I don't think you will find much difference in that either. Not sure about contaminants. Water in Italy is safe. But are you going to Italy or to Flint, Michigan?

saying it a little differently, not all bottled water in Italy is "mineral" water. Just about every bottled water (and tap water) in US and Europe has some minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) in it, either naturally, or added because otherwise it has no taste. In the US what we call mineral water has higher than normal levels of metals, salts, sulphates, etc. Usually because people think its healthier.

Take one empty bottle and fill it with freshly drawn tap water - voila bottled water.

Job done…

Expanding on Stan and Roberto, every convenience store and supermarket in Italy has six packs of, say, two-liter drinking water. You should certainly check the regulated statement to see if minerals have been added. But at this price level, I assure you they have not.

I'll add that in medium-sized stores, these economical (but very heavy) six-packs are well into the store, sometimes near the wine or liquors. The smaller and higher-profit-margin bottles for thirsty tourists are near the entrance, and in refrigerators with glass doors!

the sparkling water sold in the coolers at the Target store cafe is very light and comparable to the Frizzante sold in Italy.

One of my joys in European travel is being able to have sparkling water at restaurants. If you go to a grocery store, the varieties of still and sparkling bottled waters are astonishing compared to the US. The minerals most have are natural and from their sources.

Pelligrino is not the only one, but here's what's in it -- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pellegrino.

Acqua Panna is a common still one. Here's what's in it -- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acqua_Panna.

I'm 70 years old. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 34. I've had 2 surgeries for it. I'm well acquainted with a sensitive gastrointestinal system.

I stick with bottled water on my trips because for me, any slight change in tap water can be a problem, even if the water is perfectly safe. So long as I do that, I have no problems. And sparkling water helps to settle my stomach if needed.

I bought some still water one time that was supplemented with minerals. Big mistake! I don't know if it would've given me problems or not because it tasted so bad that I poured it down the sink after one taste,

FYI, my home bottled still water is Arrowhead. Here's what's in it -- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrowhead_Water.

And ... Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Arrowhead are all owned by Nestlé -- http://www.nestle-watersna.com/en/bottled-water-brands.

I might also be lost......I always have acqua naturale when I don't want sparkling water, which isn't technically "mineral" water, and I never have problems ordering it at restaurants or buying it at stores....

I don't know how many minerals are good or bad for you, but I do expect them to be listed on the labels in small print for the people who want to know. I agree with Tim's description of not-name-brand still waters that are essentially filtered and bottled tap water. You can also research in advance the brands you've most often found in Italian restaurants. San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water, for instance, is discussed at http://www.nestle-waters.ca/asset-library/Documents/SP_ENG.pdf and on this random web page (quick Google search only): http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/is-mineral-water-good-for-you.

There are hundreds of natural water labels in Italy.
http://www.ilgiornaledelcibo.it/elenco-delle-acque-minerali-naturali-per-regione-2/

Based on the quantity of mineral salts in its composition a water is classified as follows (I left it in Italian, so you can compare with the list above):

Less than 50 mg/litre : Acque minimamente mineralizzate (minimally mineral)
50-500 mg/litre: Acque oligominerali (limited minerals)
500-1500 mg/litre: Acque medio minerali (medium mineral)
more than 1500 mg/litre: Acque fortemente mineralizzate (high mineral)

Iposodica=low sodium
Effervescente naturale=naturally sparkling
Other descriptions (such as magnesiaca, calcica, fluorata) indicate the presence of other salts.

Take the list with you, and when you are at a store/restaurant, check if they are too high in mineral content. Stores don't carry the hundreds of labels existing in Italy, but generally a large grocery store will carry at least a dozen brands (some local and some famous national brands).

Thanks, everyone, for all the helpful observations and suggestions. When I arrive next week in the beautiful Puglia region, I will ever more carefully investigate the ample variety of waters offered in their supermarkets. Although I also do drink water there from the tap or the fountains, bottled water seems to be the safer way to go; thus I will look for the brands with the lower mineral content. I prefer avoiding sodas as much as possible. The climate there can be torrid in August, and frequent hydration is essential. Nevertheless, as I have learned from experience and as my doctor advises, It I is always wise to be cautious in any foreign environment.