Hydration is a key aspect of health, fat loss and performance. However, large amounts of tap water could be contaminating your health. While some tap water may be fine, depending what country and area you live in some may be causing unknown long-term issues. This newsletter breaks down potential issues of tap water and explains why it may be best to stick with filtered water.
THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF TAP WATER
We often take the purity of our tap water for granted - and we shouldn't. One peer reviewed study investigated 19 US cities and found pollution, damaged, dirty and old plumbing may pose serious health risks for residents in that area.
They found most cities still rely on plumbing and piping which is close to 100 years old. These aged pipes and crack or break, leaching harmful contaminates that carry bacteria and may cause illness. Even most water filters that are in place are dated, some of which fail to remove 21-st century contaminates such as pesticides, industrial chemicals and arsenic.
Safe tap water depends on numerous variables, including;
- Pipes must be cleaned, in good working order with continued maintained
- Newer, more modern treatment facilities must be put in place to filter and stay updated with new bacteria.
- Lakes, streams, reservoirs and wells must be protected from pollution
It only takes one of these variables to fail and tape water quality will certainly suffer. Investigations and found the following 4 cities only have average or sub quality drinking water:
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Atlanta, which maintains its distribution system poorly
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Albuquerque and San Francisco, which have poor treatment systems
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Fresno, which has no real source water protection
As you can see, your tap water MAY carry a host of harmful contaminants. Several contaminates show up in US cities, the Natural Resource Defense Council suggest these are the main concerns:
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Lead, which enters drinking water supplies from the corrosion of pipes and plumbing fixtures and can cause brain damage in infants and children
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Pathogens (germs) that can make people sick, especially those with weakened immune systems, the frail elderly and the very young
- By-products of chlorine treatment such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, which may cause cancer and reproductive problems
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Arsenic, which may cause cancer, serious skin problems, birth defects and reproductive problems
- Radon, the rocket fuel perchlorate and other carcinogens or otherwise toxic chemicals
These contaminates may run into water from difference sources. For example, they could enter the sewerage system overflow after a heavy storm, from contaminate laden sites like workshops, building sites, road construction and farms that use chemicals and pesticides.
A NRDC's study found that relatively few cities are in outright violation of national standards for contamination of drinking water, but this is more a result of weak standards than it is of low contaminant levels. For example, cancer-causing arsenic is currently present in the drinking water of 22 million Americans at average levels of 5 ppb, well below a new EPA standard for arsenic of 10 ppb that went into effect in 2006.
As you can see, tape water MAY be causing you long term health issues. While this isn’t always the case, it’s important to be aware of the risk. In contrast to the above issues, some countries with exceptional plumbing and water works may mean tap water is best, helping you save money and containing important minerals.
As always, there is two sides to the argument and it defiantly depends on location. If you are concerned, filtered or bottled water may be a better option for long term health, however the poison is always in the dose. The odd class of tap water is fine, it’s continuous daily use of contaminated water that causes long term issues.
