Hi everyone,
I heard yesterday that in Europe and North America it is recommended by doctors to only use boiled water, or distilled water, for jala neti practice. This is because although tap water is purified for drinking, it is not sterilized for nasal use. Tap water (and bottled spring water) can still contain the organism naegleria fowleri which can enter the brain causing amoebic encephalitis which is usually fatal.
Amoebic encephalitis is extremely rare and there have been no known cases of amoebic encephalitis occuring in the U.K. due to jala neti practice with tap water. However there have been a few cases in the USA, especially in the Southern states.
I have not checked what the situation is outside Europe and North America, but it could be the same.
