For years and years many of us went to the tap to drink water without ever thinking about what could possibly be lurking there. Although it is reassuring that most water companies have taken steps to make sure the water coming into our homes is clean enough and safe for drinking, those same companies allowed unclean water to be piped there in the first place. Nowadays, in most American cities, before tap water is pushed through the pipes to homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, the public utility company processes the water to remove harmful contaminants.

During the processing stage, water companies treat the water with a variety of chemicals intended to remove or neutralize contaminants in the water. However, not all of these contaminates are removed or neutralized during the water treatment process. The contaminants left behind, along with residuals from some of the chemicals used to treat the water and other contaminants, find their way into our water through the very pipes that bring them into our neighborhood homes and businesses.

Pipes can have unknown leaks or breaks which allow environmental pollutants to infiltrate the water, or pipes can be encased in materials that can leech harmful substances into the water as it is carried to its destination. Sometimes a chemical taste or a distinctive odor of chlorine can be detected when drinking tap water. It is difficult to determine whether your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or your office you may be surprised and concerned about what you see.

Most healthy people with strong immune systems will not experience serious health problems from drinking these contaminants, and that is a potential reason water companies can get away with low standards. However, the elderly, children, and people whose immune systems are not healthy can be especially vulnerable to the harmful affects of the contaminants found in tap water. These individuals should not drink water from a tap unless a filter has been installed, however the safest solution is to avoid tap water altogether.

Filters installed on faucet taps do filter out many, but not all contaminates found in tap water. A healthier alternative for you and your family is to use bottled water in place of the tap water that you have been using for drinking, brewing coffee, adding to food and drink mixes, cooking, brushing teeth, bathing, and even for providing water to your pets. When you dine out, insist that the restaurant use bottled water when preparing and cooking your meals and that any water brought to the table for drinking is from bottled water. There is no reason to place your health and the health of your family at risk by dining at establishments that use tap water for cooking and for customers to drink at their table.

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