Is it OK to drink tap water? Officials all over the USA unanimously retort: yes! The majority of American tap water systems feature safe-to-drink water.
The most basic elements that a person needs to survive are oxygen, food, shelter, and water.
That means staying hydrated is a big big deal. But the thing that most people didn’t learn in school is that it’s not okay to drink just any type of water.
Unfortunately, the H2O that comes flowing from the faucet isn’t as pure as it should be. Does that mean you can’t drink it? Sure you can. However, there’s a bit of a caveat.
So, is it ok to drink tap water? Keep reading to find out!
Is It Ok to Drink Tap Water?
Most folks are familiar with tap water because it is the kind that runs from the faucet.
The thing about tap water is that it’s regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They make sure that drinking water is up to quality standards.
However, even with the EPA’s rules and regulations in place, contamination still happens. Below are a few ways it could occur:
- Sewage Releases
- Wastewater treatment systems not operating properly
- Natural chemicals
- Use of the land through pesticides, fertilizers, and livestock
- Manufacturing that produces heavy metals and cyanide
Common Contaminants Overlooked by Water Suppliers
Believe it or not, there are some pollutants within tap water that suppliers don’t catch.
Most of the contaminants below find their way into drinking water, even after being processed by the community water company:
Lead: An element that comes from your home’s pipes and plumbing fixtures.
Radioactive materials: Substances that derive from gas and oil production, or from a natural occurrence.
Cleaners: Solutions such as ammonia, chlorine, and other by-products of the community water chlorination procedure.
Pathogens: Contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites found in water that hasn’t been properly purified.
Fluoride: An element that’s added to tap water. It’s said that fluoride is added in as a healthy mineral.
However, there are arguments against the safety of fluoride. In high doses, it transforms into a neurotoxin.
Arsenic: An element formed from a naturally occurring process of arsenic-rich rocks and soil. It also comes from volcanic activity and forest fires. Arsenic is the result of manufacturing and mining as well.
Farming Chemicals: Substances like nitrates, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and more.
Pharmaceuticals: Meds such as anti-depressants, antibiotics, pain killers, hormones, and anxiety medication.
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl): Chemical compounds found in non-stick cookware, foam, leather, carpet, and paper products.
Perchlorates: Molecules that are naturally made or man-made. Perchlorate is used in fireworks, road flares, and rocket propellants.
How to Find Out If Your Tap Water Is Clean?
There are several ways to find out whether your home’s faucet water is safe to drink.
Since tap water could potentially be harmful to you, it’s worth the trouble of testing it. Here are a few ways to find out if your tap water is healthy:
Annual Quality Report
A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is issued each year to give the public information about the local tap water quality.
Every community water supplier is required to provide the annual report by July 1st of each year. This rule is enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
However, some individuals may not get the annual report. People who live in apartments, condos, or rental homes probably won’t get one.
To find the information, you can check online to see if your community’s report has been posted.
Also, individuals who get their water supply from private water wells don’t receive a CCR. Private wells are not regulated by the EPA.
Another alternative to the report is the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Call this number to ask is tap water safe to drink in your area.
Professional Water Testing
If you want a specialized water test, you can have a professional testing center do it for you. The EPA website has a database of certified water facilities around the country.
Experienced water testers provide insight into the issues that typically affect the water systems in your area.
DIY Home Testing Kits
You can take the simple route and buy a DIY water testing kit. They’re available through several different retailers at an affordable price.
Home kits are great for providing general information, but unlike professional testing, it won’t give the specifics.
Also, if you want to go beyond DIY testing, give electric water softeners a try.
Filter Your Water
In addition to the above testing methods, you could choose alternative water drinking options.
A home filter is a quick and easy way to use your tap water and make sure it’s safe to drink. Filters are sold as water pitchers or as faucet attachments.
Next, there’s the bottled water option. Bottled water provides you with the security of clean water without the hassle of filtering it yourself.
Lastly, you can do an old-school method and boil your tap water. It won’t remove solid particles, but it will kill bacteria.
Is Tap Water Bad for You?
Is it ok to drink tap water? The truth is, you could drink faucet water and be completely fine. But why take that risk?
After reading the information above, you should understand that contamination is possible, and tap water has a higher chance of pollution. Do yourself a favor and choose a drinking water option with fewer disadvantages.
If you learned something from this article, don’t hesitate to browse the rest of this blog. My website covers multiple topics to help you get the most out of your home. Check it out!
