Is It Safe To Drink My Tap Water?

Water is essential for life, so you want to be sure that the water you ingest is clean, safe, and healthy. Although the water that comes from your taps is treated with chlorine, which is meant to disinfect the substance, water still hosts many harmful bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants.

That is enough to want to do something to assure that the water you drink is safe. Add to that the fact that many cities in the U.S have high levels of lead in the water. In a USA Today report, about 2,000 water systems serving all 50 states that have been tested have shown an extreme amount of lead that is greater than the Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Moreover, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, identified more than 260 contaminants that are commonly a part of the water we drink, more than half of which are unregulated chemicals for which the Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t keep standards, so it is true that city water problems are prevalent in the United States. That means homeowners should prioritize getting a whole house water filtration system to ensure their drinking water is safe and healthy.

Health Risks Due To Tap Water

You may be surprised to learn that many public health agencies don’t have safety standards that assure clean drinking water. This means that every man, woman, and child is susceptible to a wide range of health risks.

According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, pregnant women, young children, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses and people with compromised immune systems are vulnerable to city water problems.

Be assured that the water utility business is not the Wild West. The EPA sets legally enforceable standards known as the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. These clean drinking water rules limit the levels of contaminants from industrial chemicals, bacteria, and parasites, fertilizers and other potentially harmful sources in drinking water.

There are also non-enforceable guidelines. One such guideline, known as the National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations provides information about contaminants that can cause cosmetic problems including skin or tooth discoloration, or contaminants that change the taste, odor, or color of drinking water.

Although it’s true that water utilities are not obligated to follow these rules, some states have voluntarily adopted the standards to combat city water problems. For more details, visit the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels website.

Be Proactive To Ensure That Your Water Is Clean

Don’t be passive about this issue. To assure the health of your family, friends, and community, be proactive when it comes to safe water flowing from your taps. There are several things you can do.

First, obtain a copy of your community’s annual water quality report. Review it and consult with your physician about the things you learn from it.

Second, public water utilities must test their water supply for toxic contaminants and then disclose the results to the public. Contact your local water utility to obtain their test results. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers reports of the test results that are provided by state regulators. Visit the EPA’s local drinking water information website to find reports on your community.

Atlantic Coast Water Clinic is a water filtration and purification company. It offers products that eradicate contaminants from your tap water. Our staff is well versed in the issue of clean water. We urge you to call us at (772) 283-4767 or visit us at 3181 SE Dixie Highway, Stuart, Florida 34997 if you have any questions about the health and safety of your water or if you need assistance in assuring that your water is healthy, safe, and pure.