The water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan has raised awareness about the safety of water supplies in the United States. While the U.S. is said to have one of the safest water supplies in the world, “safe” is a relative term, and the increasing number of chemicals in use on a daily basis is endangering water quality. In 2009, a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found more than 200 chemicals not regulated by the EPA in tap water in almost every U.S. state. These chemicals include pesticides, commercial chemicals, disinfection byproducts, and pharmaceutical contaminants.
In 2013, an investigation by the Associated Press revealed that various pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones, were found in drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. Furthermore, water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings to the public. The public is generally unaware of this contamination, which is considered acceptable by clean water standards and thus legal.
Protecting Yourself from Contaminated Water
To ensure you are drinking clean water, consider using bottled water from sources that are less likely to be contaminated by bacteria and other environmental contaminants. Instead of choosing popular brands like PepsiCo’s Aquafina and Coca-Cola’s Dasani, which source water from treated tap water, consider brands that state their source as an artesian well, as the water from this source originates between two layers of rock deep in the Earth. Examples of widely-available options include Voss, Fiji, Indigo H2O, Nakd, 1907 New Zealand, Eternal, Jana, and Lauquen Artes. Some of these brands also have the added benefit of alkalinity levels comparable to the body’s natural pH levels.
Home Water Filtration Systems
Alternatively, investing in quality in-home water filtration systems to remove chemicals and organic compounds from tap water is a practical option for cleaner water. Some systems use activated carbon, while others use reverse osmosis by applying pressurized force to remove a large amount of contaminants. When using distilled or reverse osmosis water, consider adding a few drops of essential mineral concentrates to each gallon to replace essential minerals lost during the purification process.
