Drinking tap water in Chengdu is not recommended for direct consumption, as it is generally considered unsafe due to risks of contamination from industrial pollution, heavy metals, and bacteria. While the local government treats the water to meet national safety standards at the source, the quality often degrades by the time it reaches the tap because of aging pipes and inconsistent plumbing maintenance in buildings. Locals and travelers typically rely on bottled water, which is inexpensive and widely available, or use home filtration systems. If tap water must be used for drinking, it should be boiled for at least one minute to eliminate biological pathogens, though boiling will not remove chemical or metal contaminants. It is, however, considered safe to use tap water for everyday activities like showering, washing clothes, and brushing teeth.