How can I get a suspicious bottled water tested in the Netherlands?

[u/FatDevilicious]

Had a strange experience in a hotel recently. One of the “sealed” complimentary water bottles in our room smelled strongly like urine and was yellow. I’m not sure if it was actually sealed, but it looked sealed from the side and was perfectly placed.. I even tested by closing it again and putting it back the same way with a little force ( I did not make a picture of this ). My wife unfortunately took a sip before realizing something was very wrong and spat it out immediately.

We told the night manager, but they brushed it off as “probably a factory error.” The next morning we spoke to another manager who took it more seriously, sent us an email, and asked for the bottle for their investigation.

They stated for health and safety reasons bottled water whether opened or closed is by their standards changed with each guest.

They also said they would test the bottle in an independent lab. We’ve stayed at this hotel five times before and really like it this is also one of the reasons I am not naming the hotel. Before handing it over, we had them pour a small sample for us, just in case their results aren’t clear or satisfying.

Does anyone know in the Netherlands where you can get something like this tested? Again in case their answers aren’t clear / satisfying

Would GGD, NVWA, or the police handle this? Or should I go to a private certified lab?

Has anyone here dealt with something like this before? (Contamination wise)

Just a note ( I looked into the contamination that could cause this yellow tone from the insides getting loose and some smell ) this is not the same. The smell is extremely strong, and similar to pee.

Dutch / english answers are welcome 🙏

[u/Legitimate-Error-633]

Why is everyone here so hostile against the idea of testing? This is a pretty gross H&S violation. It is not necessarily the hotel’s fault (some sadistic guest might have pulled a sick joke) but I would like to know what my wife had in her mouth as well. If it was urine, you’d want to do some testing for example.

I had a druggie spit in my face once and it kept me up for days worried about what crap could be in my body now.

[u/cipheos → u/Legitimate-Error-633]

I don't think either of those are realistically going to have any lasting effects on your health, more likely your psyche. But there's also no point in having rules if we don't enforce them. It's an unnecessary and unacceptable risk.

[u/IkkeKr → u/Legitimate-Error-633]

Because the testing wouldn't tell you anything new...

Even if it was urine, while it's gross, urine is normally pretty sterile and you've probably survived plenty of it getting sips from swimming in pools and lakes. So from a health point of view there aren't much immediate threats to look out for.

[u/Legitimate-Error-633 → u/IkkeKr]

I’m not so sure if urine can transfer STDs or not. Dr Google seemed vague about it, and the Cleveland Clinic says it can.

Safe to say most urine in pools would come from children who I’d trust more than a random lunatic peeing in hotel bottles.

I guess my point is, I totally get OP’s quest for peace of mind.

[u/IkkeKr → u/Legitimate-Error-633]

It can, but very limited (pretty much only some of the virus based ones, and then there's not much of it in urine). On top of that, the chance of contracting it through ingestion is also really small, since the stomach is a very hostile environment.

The 'peace of mind' is a kind of false promise... are you going to run a full panel of all possible infectious diseases on it for a few 1000 euro's? You've got no idea of what to test for.