Water is one of few common resources on which all of us depend for life, so it’s important for us to be responsible stewards. Read on to learn about some of the potential dangers hiding in your tap, what you can do about them, and how you can be drinking in a cleaner, healthier community.

Q: Why should I drink tap water instead of bottled water?

A: There are many reasons why you should choose tap water over bottled water. For starters, making the plastic for all those bottles and transporting the finished product consumes energy and pollutes the environment. Worldwide bottling of water uses about 2.7 million tons of plastic each year; about 86% of empty plastic water bottles end up in the garbage, rather than being recycled. Tap water however, is delivered through far more energy-efficient means, costs hundreds or thousands less than bottled water and is just as clean and healthy as bottled water.

Q: Isn’t bottled water healthier and purer than tap water?

A: The idea that all bottled is purer is nothing but marketing hype. It is generally no cleaner, safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of tap water. Another thing the bottled water companies don’t want you to know is that as much as 40 percent of bottled water is repackaged tap water. Why pay all that money for something you can get for next to nothing?
 

Q: How do I find out whether my tap water is safe?

A: Most tap water in the United States is perfectly safe. If you have doubts about yours you can contact your local utility to request a copy of the Annual Water Quality Report, also referred to as the Consumer Confidence Report. This report is required by law to provide information about contaminant violations in the water system. The EPA also posts many of these results on its website.
Local health departments often provide testing services or have lists of accredited laboratories that do the testing.

Q: What can I do if my water is contaminated?

A: Select a filter that removes the particular contaminants that are present.

Q: Can a filter remove chlorine and fluoride?

A: When it comes to chlorine, the answer is “yes.” Most water filters remove or reduce this chemical disinfectant. On the other hand, fluoride is more of a challenge. Typically, only reverse osmosis filters and distillation units reduce or remove it.

Q: My water tastes funny. What can I do about it?

A: Odd tasting water does not necessarily mean that it is unhealthy or contaminated. The taste could be due to chlorination or to the mineral content in the water, depending on the region of the state or country. A home filtration system is the best solution to this problem.

Q: Where can I learn more about home filtration systems?

A: Filtration is a popular choice among those who don’t like the taste of their tap water or who are concerned about contaminants that it may contain. Many options for filtration exist including those are installed on a faucet or special pitchers with built-in filtration systems that you can fill with water and refrigerate for future use. Whatever type of system you decide upon, you should first make sure that it is certified for design, material safety, and effectiveness.

Q: What kind of reusable bottle should I use to carry tap water?

A: Many people have concerns about plastic food containers and beverage bottles because some chemicals in the plastic can leach into the contents. For this reason, Food & Water Watch recommends either stainless steel or lined aluminum bottles.
 

Q: Should I reuse disposable plastic bottles?

A: The disposable PET #1 plastic bottles in which beverages are sold cannot be properly cleaned and, over time, may leach plastic components into the water. Therefore, they should not be reused.

Q: What is a contaminant?

A: Water is very rarely pure H2O. It tends to grab particles from things it passes and brings them along for the ride. Whether flowing in a mountain stream or pouring out of your faucet, water usually contains more than just oxygen and two hydrogen atoms. Some of these piggybackers are harmless, but many are not.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees the safety of tap water, currently regulates 87 different contaminants. The agency recognizes but does not regulate an additional 51 contaminants.


For even more information, read our report Take Back the Tap: Why Choosing Tap Water Over Bottled Water is Better for Your Health, Your Pocketbook, and the Environment