U.S. Drinking Water Widely Contaminated

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A three-year study of the nation's drinking water quality has found more than 200 unregulated chemicals in the tap water of 45 states.

The Environmental Working Group analysis of 20 million tap water quality tests found a total of 316 contaminants -- including industrial solvents, weed killers, refrigerants and the rocket fuel component perchlorate -- in water supplied to the public between 2004 and 2009.

U.S. EPA regulates 114 of those pollutants, setting maximum legal levels that water utilities achieved 92 percent of the time, according to the study.

EWG frets that the remaining chemicals, which have no mandatory federal safety standards, can come in potentially toxic combinations for long-term consumption.

"Utilities do the best job that they can treating a big problem with limited resources, but we must do better," said Jane Houlihan, the group's senior vice president for research. "It is not uncommon for people to drink tap water laced with 20 or 30 chemical contaminants. This water may be legal, but it raises serious health concerns."

The pollutants derive from a wealth of sources, including agriculture, factory discharges, consumer products, urban runoff and wastewater treatment plants.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article....ants-pollutants

[peejay 327]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I drink distilled and on occasion, treated well water.

[Peikko 1,575]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Tap water in the US is a disgrace. In many places it smells and tastes disgusting.

[SuperDuper! 230]

I always use a PUR water filter pitcher; it's #1.

Water has fecal matter in it. Alcohol kills off the Poo and sterilizes the water. So to some extent, drinking alcohol is healthier than drinking water. If you add up all the water you drink in a year, you have been drinking a lot of Poo by New Year's day. I'll drink to that!

Edited December 15, 2009 by Hopp

[Saddle Bronc 124]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise the other chemicals.

[peejay 327]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise the other chemicals.

Brewers use the best water available because to do otherwise is bad for sales. They actually have a horse in the race. Whereas government does not. You have to put up with their sh*tty services whether you like it or not. As if there is competition at your faucet. Get real!

[SuperDuper! 230]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise neutralize (Fixxored! ) the other chemicals.

Not that naive, but some folks are . Just saying water has traces of poop in it, so drinking alcohol is less poopy. Its not often you get to say drinking alcohol is indeed one aspect more healthy that just plain water.

But did you know that your urine is sterile and safe to drink? Don't laugh. Some cities try to get "Toilet to Tap" water recycling going.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise neutralize (Fixxored! ) the other chemicals.

Not that naive, but some folks are . Just saying water has traces of poop in it, so drinking alcohol is less poopy. Its not often you get to say drinking alcohol is indeed one aspect more healthy that just plain water.

...

Well, alcohol IS known to be a bacteriocide.

BTW, your "fix" was to the wrong (American) spelling from correct (Brit), so

Edited December 15, 2009 by Saddle Bronc

[scandal 951]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise neutralize (Fixxored! ) the other chemicals.

Not that naive, but some folks are . Just saying water has traces of poop in it, so drinking alcohol is less poopy. Its not often you get to say drinking alcohol is indeed one aspect more healthy that just plain water.

...

Well, alcohol IS known to be a bacteriocide.

BTW, your "fix" was to the wrong (American) spelling from correct (Brit), so

This is a US Immigration board, so ... .

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise the other chemicals.

Brewers use the best water available because to do otherwise is bad for sales. They actually have a horse in the race. Whereas government does not. You have to put up with their sh*tty services whether you like it or not. As if there is competition at your faucet. Get real!

Depends what you drink I guess - but I wouldn't put money on your domestic ######.

[SuperDuper! 230]

That's why I only drink beer. Water is bad for your health.

Which is made from water and cheap beer is probably made from water straight out the tap. Making it into beer doesn't somehow remove the chemical contaminants, although I sure it makes you feel better about drinking them.

I guess he thinks the alcohol will neutralise neutralize (Fixxored! ) the other chemicals.

Not that naive, but some folks are . Just saying water has traces of poop in it, so drinking alcohol is less poopy. Its not often you get to say drinking alcohol is indeed one aspect more healthy that just plain water.

...

Well, alcohol IS known to be a bacteriocide.

BTW, your "fix" was to the wrong (American) spelling from correct (Brit), so

Hmmm, it's not even about geographical boundaries anymore in this brave new world. Per Google that is how neutralize is spelled, my fixxored!

It is a Google world now, sport, and we must obey! :bonk:

Edited December 15, 2009 by Hopp

[Rhiannercakes 14]

We use a water cooler like machine, except the bottle is refillable in the sink and it uses brita filters in the dispenser part. I'm okay with drinking the tap water in the area, but the water out of this thing tastes better.

[alienlovechild 75]

The article didn't explain the basics on what constitutes a dangerous dosage. Trace elements are found but not enough to do damage.

Buying bottled water is usually a waste of money and is more expensive than gasoline. Amazing how tap water was good enough for generations until it became chic to drink overpriced bottled water with slick marketing.