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What's really in our tap water?
The water coming out of your tap is safe, but there may still be some common contaminants.
Mon, Dec 24 2012 at 10:44 AM
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Photo:Shutterstock
The tap water of nearly 290 million Americans is provided by community water systems monitored and regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While some public systems deliver a more pure product than others, the water coming out of your tap is overwhelmingly safe and can match almost all bottled water.
Worries about the levels of contaminants found in U.S. tap water fall into the category of First World problems. Cities and towns across the United States began disinfecting drinking water in the early 1900s, and the rate of waterborne illness dropped dramatically.
In 1900, for example, there were about 100 cases of typhoid fever for every 100,000 persons living in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2006, the rate had declined to 0.1 cases for every 100,000 persons, and 75 percent of those cases included people who had traveled overseas.
Still, testing by water utilities has found 315 pollutants in the tap water Americans drink, according an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. More than half of the chemicals detected are not subject to health or safety regulations and can legally be present in any amount, according to the Environmental Working Group.
The EPA sets standards and regulations for the presence and amount of more than 90 different contaminants in public drinking water, including E.coli, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium species. Some of the contaminants — such as trihalomethanes, which can increase the risk of cancer — are a byproduct of the disinfection process. Other contaminates such as copper can come from corrosion of your household plumbing.
Some contaminants may cause gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders, particularly for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires public water suppliers to provide customers with annual drinking water quality reports, or consumer confidence reports (CCRs). The reports detail what contaminants have been detected in their drinking water and how these detection levels compare to national drinking water standards. Your water system's CCR may be posted online at http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/index.cfm.
But if you’re among the estimated 15 percent of Americans, or about 45 million people, who get their water from private ground water wells — you’re on your own. Private wells are not subject to EPA regulations.
Depending on your level of concern about the tap water — and the details in the water quality report from your water utility — you may want to install a home filter.
Water filters using activated carbon will absorb organic contaminants that make the water smell and taste funky. Some carbon filters will also remove metals, such as lead and copper, and some cleaning solvents and pesticides.
Ion exchange filters will remove minerals, including fluoride.
A reverse osmosis unit removes most — but not all — contaminants. Such systems use a good deal of water, however.
Related tap water stories on MNN:
- How polluted is U.S. drinking water?
- Is bottled water healthier or safer than tap water?
- How is tap water treated, and what causes a boil water advisory?
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Our water at home isn't bad, but the Brita pitcher makes it taste so much better. Maybe its in my head? But I think its worth it, if it cleans even some of the impurities out. I'm investing in the Brita travel bottles too, to reduce our use of disposable plastic bottles. More water + less waste = win!