Dangers of Tap Water Explained

Mar 22, 2025

Why is Tap Water Bad?

Introduction

  • Tap water is an everyday necessity used for drinking, cooking, and more.
  • Despite assumptions of safety, tap water can contain hidden dangers.

Source of Tap Water

  • Most tap water is supplied by local public water systems.
  • Over 148,000 public water systems exist in the U.S., sourced from streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
  • Water quality is dependent on local water suppliers.

Limitations of Water Protection

  • Public water systems are required to treat water with disinfectants and chemicals like chlorine and fluoride to meet quality standards.
  • Despite treatment, water can still contain contaminants.

Understanding Contaminants

  • Contaminants include toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and more.
  • Hundreds of contaminants may be present in tap water.

Challenges with Contaminant Regulation

  • Legal limits for contaminants (MCLs) allow some levels of danger in tap water.
  • Many legal limits have not been updated in decades.
  • Over 160 unregulated contaminants have been identified in public water systems.
  • New contaminants can emerge due to treatment errors, infrastructure issues, or environmental factors.

Health Impacts

  • Contaminants are linked to cancer, thyroid conditions, bone disease, and other health issues.
  • Examples: Arsenic (cancer-related), lead (developmental issues), Chromium 6 (skin issues).

Alternatives to Tap Water

  • Bottled Water: Not always safer due to microplastics and similar standards to tap water.
  • Boiling Water: Can concentrate contaminants rather than eliminate them.
  • Well Water: Unregulated, relies on owner maintenance for safety.

Importance of Water Filtration

  • Common filters may not remove all contaminants, only improving taste and smell.
  • Advanced filters can remove a higher percentage of contaminants (up to 99.9%).

Conclusion: Protect Yourself

  • Regular exposure to tap water means exposure to potential contaminants.
  • Investing in a reliable water filter can significantly reduce exposure to harmful substances.

Find the right water filter for you.