Is My Families Drinking Water Safe?

Living in the Western World, we have some of the safest tap water on the planet. Due to strict government regulations where our water is concerned, we tend not to worry too much about it. However, toxins and bacteria can still enter our bodies through drinking, bathing, and cooking. Mild issues such as gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and enamel wear can sometimes result from tainted water. Sometimes life threatening disease and birth defects can be traced to contaminated drinking water.

How is My Water Protected?
The Clean Water Act helps to protect our drinking water. It's part of an overall commitment to safeguard human health and the environment. While it's not possible to completely remove all risks to our drinking water, the Clean Water Act helps reduce the risks by addressing threats to drinking water quantity and quality. If you get your drinking water from a well, the onus is on the owner to test as the EPA doesn't regulate wells.

Contamination
Contamination can occur naturally, or be added by man. It can happen anywhere in the water system such as the watershed, reservoirs, main pipes, wells, storage tanks, and plumbing. Here are some examples of contaminants that can be in our drinking water.

1. Bacteria, viruses and parasites
2. Salts and metals (arsenic, lead, mercury)
3. Chemicals (methane, solvents, pesticides and herbicides)
4. Industrial waste
5. Livestock feces
6. Sewage
7. Drugs and pharmaceuticals
8. Radioactive substances

How Do I Know if My Water is Contaminated?
One of the jobs belonging to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is ensuring that water is tested and meets the standards of the Water Protection Act. Water suppliers are required to issue an annual water quality report to their customers that indicates what contaminants have been detected and how those levels compare to drinking water standards. They are also required to notify the general public if water isn't fit for consumption.


The scary part - Nearly 10 percent of water systems fail to meet the standards for tap water quality.

Most contaminants have no smell, color or taste. However, there are some signs that can raise a concern:

1. Water has an unusual smell, taste, or appearance
2. Recurrent diarrhea or other health problems
3. Old lead pipes
4. Nearby livestock or toxic dump
5. Stained sinks, tubs, or laundry
6. Indoor radon gas
7. Soaps not lathering properly
8. Water treatment supplies that corrode quickly

How Can I Help Protect my Family?

1. Run water for 60 seconds prior to use. This will flush out toxins that may have accumulated in your hot water heater or pipes.
2. Replace corrosive water systems.
3. Remove and clean the strainer on your faucets and shower heads to remove toxins.
4. Test private wells before using it for the first time and then yearly.
5. Use filtered water instead of bottled water. Like well water, the EPA does not regulate bottled water.
6. Replace the water filter on your filtration system as recommended.