Fun fact: Our bodies are up to 60% water. Not-so-fun fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sewer overflows, fertilizers, pesticides, and other yucky pollutants may be contaminating U.S. tap water. 🤢
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates about 90 contaminants in tap water, but many others go unchecked. In an attempt to explore the potential risks of unfiltered tap water in the United States, a 2019 study found that 22 cancer-causing contaminants were found in varying levels in 48,363 community water systems, which were estimated to lead to more than 100,000 related cases of cancer. *gulp* (Need we remind you of the lead-tainted water crisis in Flint, Michigan, that’s still ongoing?)
Scary? Yes, but we’re not necessarily doomed, because there are several ways to clean your water to remove those germs and chemicals. Filtering your drinking water can eliminate common contaminants and make it taste better. Here are some tips to start today for no to low cost:
- Boil it: Heating water at a rolling boil for 1 minute makes it safe to drink. If you’re at an elevation above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes.
- Add drops or tablets: Disinfecting tablets can help purify your water. Try sodium dichloroisocyanurate, chlorine dioxide, or tetraglycine hydroperiodide, paying close attention to safety instructions.
- Use activated charcoal: Put it in a sock or cloth bag, then pour water through to filter. (Disclaimer: This method isn’t very effective at ridding water of bacteria or viruses.)
- Buy a water filter: There are plenty of budget-friendly options that sit on your countertop or attach to faucets for easy filtering.
tl;dr: Tap water in the United States is often polluted with bacteria, viruses, hard minerals, chemicals, and other contaminants. You can purify your water at home so it’s safer and healthier to drink in many ways. To learn more about how to filter your water, click here.
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