Can you drink tap water in Colombia?

I've spent a fair amount of time in a number of SA countries, including Colombia (and other places around the world) because of work. One thing I quickly grew to learn is that it depends on what pathogens your body is already used to and can fight off without much ill effect.

Part of the confusion is that people in some places drink the tap water and have no problems because they've been drinking it their entire lives, but the moment someone who is not accustomed to it partakes, it's an instant case of Montezuma's Revenge.

Also, some countries have ultra-hard water, lead, mercury, etc, so any damage is delayed and unnoticed until after years of accumulation. I still wouldn't recommending drinking it even for a short duration. This is readily apparent in the Middle East, since most water has to travel very long distances to get to your cup. That's probably not an issue in Colombia, though. The pathogens almost certainly are, though.

There are lots of reasons to opt for bottled water when traveling to less affluent locations. If they don't chlorinate their water, it's likely to be bad news for visiters.

If you're from a 'first world' country and are used to good quality tap water then absolutely not. Otherwise ymmv, but I would not drink it without cooking. I've spent some time in Colombia and just used bottled water because it was cheap and I didn't want to risk getting ill. Note that 'bottled water' doesn't guarantee much of anything but it should be safer than what comes out of the tap, especially in rural areas.

I’ve just come from Bogotá where the tap water was said to be drinkable. I still bought bottled but didn’t see many/any other locals carrying water, or shops selling it particularly cheap. I’m in Cartagena now and I don’t think the tap water is drinkable. I also see more shops with crates of bottled water. In general I think the answer is “it depends”.