What’s Really In Your Drinking Water

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in the water you drink we’ve got you covered.

Certain properties are sometimes added to your water, which you can find out at the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database, or by contacting your local municipalities.

Then there are also times that certain toxins can get into drinking water. While these may be filtered or at such low levels that they can’t cause any direct harm, it could still be considered by some to be unsafe to be drinking these over a long term.

Find out more information about what’s in your drinking water in this infographic.

Discover the Hidden Elements — Good and Bad — in Your Drinking Water

You get home from a long, hard workout and need something cool to quench your thirst.

You wake up in the middle of the night and your throat is so parched you can hardly stand it.

You need a drink that perfectly pairs with every dish you’re planning for a fancy dinner party.

The answer to all of these problems is water.

But what happens when your water isn’t clean?

​Would you be able to tell if there was something lurking in your tap water, just waiting to destroy you and the ones you love? And even if it won’t hurt you, don’t you want to know what minerals, chemicals, or other little invisible elements are hanging out in your faucets and glasses?

Fear no longer, my friend. With a little bit of information, you can not only know exactly what is in your drinking water, you can know the reasons why, how, and what it means for you and your family.

You don’t have to be afraid of the water any more!

The addition of some elements to your drinking water is on purpose.

It’s not pollution — these elements are added to your drinking water when it is in the plant, not when it’s in its natural wild habitat.

And while they don’t make your water taste better, they do make it a bit healthier.

Well, sort of. The jury is still out a little bit on that one.

But knowledge is half the battle, and when you know what is in your water you will be better able to make your own choices about what you want to put into your body via drinking water.

Fluoride isn’t Just for the Dentist Anymore

Fluoride is probably the most well-known drinking water additive.

Starting in the 1940s, fluoride has been added to public water sources all throughout the United States. Although now the issue of fluoride water is a little contentious, at the time, it was all for a good purpose: clean and healthy teeth for all.

In the beginning (1940s Michigan), researchers discovered that a small community had much lower rates of cavities than their similarly equipped neighbors. After some careful analysis of a variety of community factors, they discovered that the answer was right in front of them: drinking water. It contained a high amount of natural fluoride. Thus the plan to add fluoride to everyone’s drinking water was born.

Fluoride, the stuff in toothpaste and that your dentist uses for deep tooth cleanings, has been believed to prevent cavity development and build tooth enamel.

But it’s not all good.

Fluoride is actually a neurotoxin that can damage the endocrine system, especially in kids. The theory has been that there isn’t enough fluoride in the drinking water to actually affect anyone negatively, but the tide may be changing on that idea as scientists do more researcher.

In 2015, the official recommended level of added fluoride was lowered for the first time since the 1940s, and some cities, states, and countries are actually moving away from including fluoride in their drinking water at all.

Fluoride’s bottom line? It does indeed prevent cavities, and small amounts of fluoride in our drinking water can be beneficial to the overall rate of cavities in those communities. However, the more recent studies about negative health effects from fluoride (especially on the brain) are pretty scary. A small amount of fluoride might be okay, but keep an eye out.

Don’t Drink the Pool Water, but…

… you’re getting some chlorine anyway.

Chlorine is the second commonly added element to general drinking water. And much like fluoride, there’s some debate about whether the benefits outweigh the potential consequences.

The process of drinking water chlorination began in New Jersey in 1908, and by the 1990s about 65% of America’s drinking water included trace amounts of chlorine.

First added to drinking water in an effort to prevent bacteria from growing in city’s water supplies, chlorine can kill water-borne diseases that could marinate and grow at any point in the water processing plant and water transportation system. Good that they’re taking care of that, right?

Well, yes and no. It’s great that our drinking water is safe from insidious pathogens and bacteria that could cause major illness. But unfortunately, some studies have shown that when chlorine mixes with water and creates hydrochloric acid, some pretty serious repercussions can occur. Impaired balance and memory and respiratory problems are just some of the possible consequences of ingestion of too much hydrochloric acid.

The CDC maintains that the low level of chlorine in common drinking water isn’t enough to hurt anyone (unless you’re already part of a susceptible population, like you have other health concerns or a known chlorine sensitivity).

And that chlorine taste sure doesn’t help.

Don’t freak out, but those were just the purposefully added elements. There are plenty of other dangerous and gross things that can be added to your water (from a lot of different sources) that will legit hurt you, no debate needed.

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Dioxins

Did you know that cigarette smoke can cause respiratory problems even when it’s in your water?

Sound crazy. But that’s what dioxins are: pollution from smoke (from fires, cigarettes, burning oil, etc.) that end up in your water sources. Dioxins are indeed carcinogens, and exposure to them can lead to a host of issues, including consequences for the reproductive, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems in the body.

Dacthal

This herbicide is used to keep our fruits and veggies safe and protected from bugs and disease. But it doesn’t keep people safe and protected from anything when it gets in the drinking water.

Despite studies showing severe damage to animals (especially in the liver, spleen, adrenal glands, and kidneys) who consume dacthal, it is still used today.

And It’s Not Over Yet

Even if your water doesn’t have any of the previous terrible chemicals inside it, there are still ways your water can make you sick.

But don’t give up on your drinking water just yet.

Giardia and cryptosporidium are parasites that can get into your water when there is a breakdown in the sanitation process. Only drink clean water, and keep your distance from people who are already infected.

Nitrates from fertilizer and manure are pretty common water contaminants, especially in rural areas.

Old piping is another water concern: in 2020, the majority of the United States’ water piping infrastructure will be at least 45 years old. Push for pipe upkeep to keep that lead out!

For a quick and easy check of possible water contamination, do a pH check.

Your water should be between 6.5 and 8.5 pH; if it’s under or above, it’s not necessarily unhealthy or dangerous, but it could be a sign that there’s something else going on in your water.

For a quick check, use the chart below as a reference for acceptable and common pH levels of various types of water. Take a look at all of your waters!

Don’t just wonder if your water is okay as you glug it down, test it yourself! Your health is in your hands, so get to work.

Featured image via Pixhere