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Is my water supply deadly?
We all need it to survive, but could it cost you your life?
Tiny amounts of pharmaceuticals -- including antibiotics, hormones, mood stabilizers, and other drugs -- are in our drinking water supplies, according to a media report. In an investigation by the Associated Press, drinking water supplies in 24 major metropolitan areas were found to include drugs. According to the investigation, the drugs get into the drinking water supply through several routes: some people flush unneeded medication down toilets; other medicine gets into the water supply after people take medication, absorb some, and pass the rest out in urine or feces. Some pharmaceuticals remain even after wastewater treatments and cleansing by water treatment plants. Although levels are low -- reportedly measured in parts per billion or trillion -- and utility companies contend the water is safe, experts from private organizations and the government say they can't say for sure whether the levels of drugs in drinking water are low enough to discount harmful health effects.
Tap water comes from one of two sources: surface water (including reservoirs, rivers, and lakes) or groundwater (from artesian and deep wells). But before it hits our thirsty lips, most H2O undergoes an important disinfection process, destroying most harmful organisms like bacteria and parasites.
But chlorination won’t kill off every bad guy, and some disease-carrying germs can still pollute surface water — and ultimately tap water — through the stool of infected animals or people (ick, we know). Lead and copper can also crash the party via corroded pipes, mostly in homes built before 1970, when copper pipes and lead joints were deemed acceptable. Other less-than-ideal findings: nitrates and other chemicals from fertilizer and pesticide runoff, arsenic (via erosion, orchard runoff, and industrial waste) and even rocket fuel. And then there’s the alphabet soup of chlorination byproducts — some of the most controversial and potentially harmful contaminants of them all. And while the possible effects of hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking) on drinking water has certainly stirred up debate, official reports won't be released until 2014, so it's too early to label this a bad guy for sure.
Still sounds scarier than a Freddie Krueger flick? Luckily, the EPA has established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for public water sources, making the chances of catching a water-related illness relatively slim. And with 91 contaminants regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, unwanted intruders are capped at concentrations generally safe enough for the average healthy individual. Although some experts believe a hormone could be getting into drinking water and affecting men's sperm counts. They say sewage treatment does not remove the chemical entirely from drinking supplies, although the water industry insists there is no evidence of a risk to health
Tips for Tap — Your Action Plan
Tap Water Corroded Faucet
While the quality of H2O will vary between homes, there are a few ways to start sipping more soundly. First, contact the local Public Water Supply for a Consumer Confidence Report, and ask about further testing options if data is limited. And in the meantime, consider trying these simple tips to reduce lead (one of the most dangerous but preventable toxins) in drinking water:
Run It. When a particular faucet hasn’t been used for six hours or more, "flush" the cold water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get.
Drink Cold. For drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula, always reach for the cold water tap. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead.
Re-Strain. Routinely clean and replace faucet strainers, which can accumulate debris, metals, and other sediment.
Take a Sniff. Smell rotten eggs, chemicals, or an earthy or metallic-type odor? Consult this troubleshooting resource — or contact the local public water department if the problem isn’t described there.
Go Filtered. Pregnant women, children under the age of 6, and those with weak immune systems should opt for filtered water to keep harmful contaminants away.
Of course, bottled water is always an alternative to tap (albeit a pricier one), just remember that not every bottle comes “straight from the source.” Some bottled brands are simply purified tap water — or not even purified at all.
But in areas with good quality drinking water, and after taking all the recommended precautions, there should be little to worry about when it comes to tap. Studies show there might even be some pluses, including fluoride to promote strong teeth, as well natural mineral content like calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which could be beneficial to some individuals. So if the tap at home makes the grade, drink up!
http://voices.yahoo.com/whats-water-cotinine-other-drugs-found-in-1278729.html?cat=51
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/there-are-drugs-in-drinking-water-now-what/
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/drugs-ending-up-in-water-supply-in-suffolk-1.4748240