Did you know that nearly twenty million people in the United States every year get sick from drinking contaminated water? While tap water is generally safe to drink in the United States, it doesn’t come without its risks.
If your tap water isn’t filtered properly, it could make you seriously sick. If your local area ends up with equipment failure at the water treatment plant or if a water line breaks, you could be in trouble.
It’s also a good idea to stick to bottled water if you go traveling out of the country. So is tap water safe to drink? And what exactly is in tap water anyway?
These are great questions. And we have the answers you’re looking for. So keep on reading to learn more.
What’s in Tap Water?
While you might not realize it, tap water isn’t actually made up of 100 percent water. There will always be small amounts of contaminants and minerals in tap water.
In the United States, the government adds fluoride to tap water to strengthen your teeth.
Disinfectants like chloramine and chlorine are also added to drinking water to kill germs that can make you ill. These chemicals are added in small amounts.
Tap water also contains minerals that are vital for human health. Some of the minerals are added, while others are naturally occurring. When you drink tap water, you are also drinking sodium, magnesium, calcium, and copper.
Depending on the chemical makeup of the tap water, the water might taste different from one municipality to another.
Contaminants
Tap water that is said to be safe can still contain some contaminants. The contaminants are so diluted that the water is still considered safe for health. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has limits for more than ninety possible substances that could be dangerous to people.
Unfiltered water could have tiny amounts of other contaminants that aren’t dangerous to people, such as sediment or soil.
Water Filters
If you aren’t convinced that your home’s tap water is safe to drink, you should consider getting a water filter. Some filter companies sell pitchers that you pour tap water into.
Other filters fit right onto your faucet to make it convenient to drink safe water. There are many benefits of filtered water because the contaminants get destroyed or removed.
You can go here to find effective home water filters.
It’s also important to keep in mind that some water filters are just designed to affect the taste and aren’t used for safety reasons.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?
So, is tap water safe to drink? As we can see, tap water is generally considered safe to drink. But it’s also better to be extra safe and cautious when it comes to what we consume.
If you’re worried, you should stick to bottled water or get a water filter for your home.
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