Is this true of North Ecuador and Cota?

@Jean-Robert145156 😂 WT Heck! Disinformation / false-rumour alert:

NO; Cotacachi, and the towns and cities of Imbabura province (Otavalo, Atuntaqui, Ibarra, etc.) are fortunate to have beautifully clean, and volcanic rock filtered water. In conjunction with Quito, in Pichincha province, the two provinces have invested a lot in infrastructure and water treatment facilities. The only people who have to buy water are those very high up in the mountain, or in coastal Plains areas, away from water sources, or those specifically near contaminating industrial or agricultural areas; Both of which are under government scrutiny for prevention of contamination to groundwater and surface, lake and stream, sources under the new El Niño directive for water management and protection of community water quality.

The water quality in the Cotacachi area is on par with Cuenca, Azuay province (drinkable out of the tap)... and unlike the Cuenca area, has not suffered extensive periods of drought or water shortages. The only thing we share in common, is the nationwide reliance on rainfall (in Cuenca, and Azuay) to obtain adequate hydroelectric power for the country.

Water quality "in the North", just as anywhere in Central and South America, where communities are large enough to have their own managed water supply, is often more dependent on the age and quality of the piping in your community, and your home/business plumbing. Coastal areas that are more economically disadvantaged, and may not have adequate investment in their water treatment, or quality water sources due to proximity to the salty ocean, you'd have to ask them. You should always test your water when moving to a new location, to assess if plumbing upgrades are necessary.

My shower time is unhindered...

Sincerely, the rest of the Andes, Ecuador (mostly).