What’s in Your Water?

H2O

H2O, which makes up as much as 75 percent of our body weight, is the most significant component of water. It functions as a kind of shock absorber, keeping your body's proper ratio of salt to water, which protects your tissues and bones, and it also helps carry nutrients to the appropriate places once they are broken down into forms your body can use.

More Than Water in There

Every day you drink water from the faucet, bottled water, or take a shower you may not think much about it, yet over 2 billion people globally consume water contaminated with pesticides, sewage, lead, mercury, hazardous waste, and other contaminants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes the guidelines for what may and cannot be in tap water.

Well Water

Before using it for the first time, you should test it for dangerous materials including pesticides, organic compounds, and heavy metals if you obtain it from a well rather than a nearby water treatment plant. Next, do annual tests for certain types of bacteria and fertilizer compounds. Especially if your family has children the test should be more often. Headaches, diarrhea, and exhaustion are a few health problems that may indicate a concern.

Fluoride

In the United States, fluoride is added to around three-fourths of the public water supply. This mineral guards against tooth decay. The CDC considers typical levels to be less than 1 part per million, and they view this as one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century. Details on the levels in particular regions may be found on the CDC website.

Sodium

Good old salt: It's even present in your drinking water. A small amount is OK, but food provides you with lots of it. If you suffer from a salt-related health condition (such as high blood pressure or congestive heart failure), be sure the sodium content of both your tap and bottled water is appropriate.

Arsenic

Despite any negative connotations you may have heard, this is a naturally occurring chemical that may be found in small amounts in wells and other water sources. The quantity in yours should be within the control of your local water supplier, but testing is a good idea if your water comes from a well or another natural source. It has been connected, in high concentrations, to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and impaired child brain function.

Lead

Due to the fact that it frequently originates from aging pipes in your neighborhood or house, your local water supplier could miss this one. Just before your water leaves the tap, lead finds its way into it. Lead is connected to significant health issues in both adults and children, so even while home filtering systems may remove it from your tap water, it's still necessary to test your levels and replace the filter on a regular basis.

Chlorine

In public water systems, it is used to eradicate bacteria. Although other chemicals are occasionally employed as well, chlorine is the most widely used. Although you could detect a faint taste or scent, low concentrations are thought to be harmless.

Filtration Systems

The majority of heavy metals and microorganisms may be removed by a good, well-maintained system. However, certain strong ones have the ability to eliminate fluoride, which shields your teeth and gums. Seek for a system that has the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification.

Bottled Water

It is generally safe since it is governed by FDA regulations, which are based on EPA criteria. Not any more than tap water, though. Additionally, bear in mind that bottled water sometimes lacks the fluoride necessary to safeguard your teeth, in addition to being more expensive.

When to Boil

You can boil your water if you're unsure about its safety due to flooding, a damaged pipe, or another issue. Any bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms should be eliminated by doing this. The task may be completed in one minute, or three minutes if you're higher than 6,500 feet above sea level.

Bleach Your Water?

Although it may seem a little odd, this method of disinfecting water in an emergency or removing microorganisms from well water has EPA approval. Depending on its potency, about 6 to 8 drops per gallon should work; any more might be harmful. Moreover, use regular bleach—nothing "color-safe," no fragrances, and no additional cleansers. After stirring, wait 30 minutes. The EPA website has further information about why and how to do this.