In order to ensure that the tap water in your local area is safe to drink, you need to find out whether the contamination exceeds the normal levels. In most cases, the authorities will tell you they have performed several tests on the water and have found nothing wrong with it. However, their statement has often been found to conflict with the information provided by research institutes. Moreover, there are several cases of illnesses related to the contamination of the water supporting this theory.
Does the level of water contamination vary for every region?
Scientists have often warned the population regarding the risks they are exposed to by consuming tap water in certain states. You may or may not be aware that the groundwater of every area comes from different sources, thus the contamination levels vary quite a bit. Underwater streams are affected by the level of pollution in the soil. At the same time, air pollution has a great impact on rainwater. Therefore, if you are living in a highly polluted region of the country, then there is a pretty big chance that the toxicity levels of the water deem it unsafe for consumption.
What methods do local authorities use to test the water?
In most situations, the authorities only take the basic measurements of the most frequent microbes and viruses in the water, as well as dangerously high amounts of certain minerals and metals. There are certain standards set by the EPA in order to determine if the water contamination is kept at a low enough level. However, on various occasions, tests performed by independent specialists have proven that the toxicity levels of the water were seriously over the standard, even though the authorities denied it.
How do the local authorities purify the water?
The main water reservoirs contain chlorination-based filters. This way, the authorities ensure that harmful organisms such as bacteria and viruses are destroyed before releasing the water into the pipelines. However, this method has proven to be highly ineffective for two major reasons. First of all, harmful bacteria and viruses have become increasingly stronger and even immune to chlorine in some cases. Furthermore, chorine only acts as a disinfectant agent, thus it is unable to eliminate toxic substances or dangerous metals from the tap water.
How can you find out whether your tap water is safe to drink?
Generally, you will be able to find a water testing kit, either at a local store or on the internet. If you purchase a kit manufactured by a reputable company, you can find out exactly how contaminated your water supply really is.
How can you purify the tap water for consumption?
There are several solutions to this problem, but so far the most effective one seems to be installing a multiple carbon filters. It seems that most of the research institutes conducting water contamination studies also endorse this method. Therefore, if you want to be on the safe side, you should consider testing and purifying your tap water as soon as possible.