For additional information on any of the following topics, click
on the links below.
What is water?
Water is an essential nutrient for all humans. Water is necessary
for maintaining body temperature, transporting nutrients throughout
the body, keeping joints and mucus membranes moist, digesting food,
and eliminating waste products from the body. In the United States,
about 84% of people use municipal water sources, while the rest
use private wells. The bottled water industry is booming due to
the perceived safety of bottled water (Buyer beware!).
How can water be harmful?
Water, whether from a municipal source, private well, or well-known
bottler, may contain bacteria, viruses, protozoa, lead, radon, and
a myriad of chemicals (nitrates, disinfecting byproducts, pesticides,
methyl tert-butyl ether). These various contaminants can pose health
risks for everyone, especially children. Everyday, parents give
tap water to their children or use it to reconstitute formula or
juice. In proportion to body weight, infants drink three times as
much water (in formula and juice) than older children consume. Infants
also have lower acidity in their stomachs which can increase the
risk of gastrointestinal infection. Additionally infants and young
children have developing immune systems that may not be able to
protect them from some water-borne illnesses.
Fortunately, the United States has one of the safest water supplies
in the world. Municipal water is treated with agitation, filtration,
and chemical disinfecting to make it safe for drinking. Drinking
water often contains harmless levels of some contaminants, but water
suppliers must monitor their water to make sure it complies with
current safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). The Safe Drinking Water Act sets the standards for 90 contaminants
that may be found in the water supply. However, these standards
do not apply to private wells or bottled water. Some states have
set standards for private wells. The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) oversees most bottled waters. However, state regulations take
charge over the FDA mandates when water is bottled and sold in the
same state.
What is being done to protect my family from water contamination?
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the majority of drinking
water in the United States. The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act sets
the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for 16 inorganic
and 54 organic chemical. The Act also requires that water utilities
send every customer a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR
reveals the source of the water, contamination problems, and any
EPA violations. The EPA works closely with the US Geological Survey
to monitor ground water for pesticides and nitrate contamination.
The CDC works with the local public health departments to ensure
proper fluoride levels in drinking water. Bottled water is regulated
by the FDA or individual states. The National Sanitation Foundation
(NSF) certifies bottled water companies that adhere to FDA and international
drinking water standards. The NSF along with the American National
Standards Institute set standards for home filtration systems.
What can I do to protect my family from water contamination?
Since water is essential to our survival, it is important that
you know more about this resource. Start by reading your CCR from
your water company. You will most likely find that your water is
perfectly safe for you and your children. If you have a private
well, you need to have it tested routinely. When choosing bottled
water, select one that has been certified by the National Sanitation
Foundation (NSF). If you use an in-home filtration system, look
for one that is NSF or ANSI certified, because this certification
will guarantee the claims made by the manufacturer. If you boil
water for potential microbial contamination, do not boil for more
than one minute. Prolonged boiling will concentrate any chemicals
in the water.
Where can I get more information?
National Sanitation Foundation - www.nsf.org
or (800) NSF-MARK
Environmental Protection Agency Region 5
77 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-6003
www.epa.gov/iaq
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