Is my Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Is my tap water safe to drink? It depends on your city, your pipes, and which chemicals remain after treatment.

Utilities test tap water. Contamination events still happen. This article covers common chemical concerns and how to read your report.

Common Concerns

• PFAS / PFOA
• Lead and other metals from old pipes
• Pesticides and pharmaceuticals
• Chlorine and fluoride
• Trihalomethanes (THMs)
• Unregulated contaminants

Common Contaminants in Tap Water

Tap water can contain PFOA, heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, chlorine, and fluoride.

Lead and mercury can come from old plumbing. Pesticides and drugs can enter source water before the plant treats it. Long-term chemical exposure is the usual concern in U.S. homes — not a reason to treat a filter as medicine. If you are ill, see a doctor.

Chlorine is added at the plant. Fluoride is added in many cities. Read your water quality report.

How Tap Water Is Treated and Tested

Plants screen debris, coagulate particles (see coagulation), filter, then add a disinfectant such as chlorine. Chlorine can form disinfection byproducts.

Utilities sample the distribution system on a schedule. Aging pipes and treatment changes can still affect what reaches the tap.

Regulations

EPA sets maximum contaminant levels. The Safe Drinking Water Act is the main federal law. States can be stricter. Limits are not “zero.”

What EWG Found

EWG’s tap-water analysis lists hundreds of detected contaminants, including unregulated ones utilities may not have to report.

Chlorine Byproducts

THMs and HAAs form when chlorine meets organic matter. Chloroform is one example: chloroform in water. Carbon filters can reduce many of these byproducts.

Why People Prefer Berkey

A Berkey reduces metals, chlorine, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other tap-water chemicals. No electricity. No plumbing. Official replacements are the Phoenix filters.

It is useful at home and during a power outage for municipally treated tap water or stored tap water — not for untreated outdoor water.

Elements can last thousands of gallons. Our family has used Berkey since 2005.

Conclusion

Tap water is treated to legal standards. Many families still filter leftover chemicals. Read your report, take the water quality quiz, and see the Royal Berkey if you want a larger gravity system.

Shop Berkey systems.