Drinking Tap Water – Drinking Water Contaminants

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with enforcing the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR or primary standards). These regulations apply to public water systems, like that serving San Jose, CA. The idea behind the standards was to protect public health by “limiting the levels” of contaminants in water. Note the choice of phrasing… “limiting the levels”…and not eliminating the levels. When you’re drinking tap water, the level of contaminants you’re drinking have been determined to be “acceptable” by bureaucrats.

The list of contaminants governed by the primary standards is quite lengthy, and it includes these contaminants in water:

• Microorganisms
• Disinfectants
• Disinfectant Byproducts
• Inorganic Chemicals
• Organic Chemicals
• Radionuclides

Microorganisms

Examples of microorganisms in drinking tap water are:

• Giardia Lamblia (gastrointestinal illness – diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)
• Legionella (Legionnaire’s – a type of pneumonia)
• Turbidity (viruses, parasites, bacteria – nausea, cramps, diarrhea, headaches)

Disinfectants

Examples of disinfectants in drinking tap water are:

• Chloramines (anemia, eye & nose irritation, stomach discomfort)
• Chlorine (anemia, eye & nose irritation, stomach discomfort)
• Chlorine Dioxide (anemia and nervous system affects in children)

Disinfectant Byproducts

Examples of disinfectants in drinking tap water are:

• Bromate (increased risk of cancer)
• Chlorite (anemia)
• Total Trihalomethanes (liver, kidney, & nervous system problems and risk of cancer)

Inorganic Chemicals

Examples of inorganic chemicals in drinking tap water are:

• Cyanide (nerve damage or thyroid problems)
• Lead (delays in physical/mental development in children and kidney problems and high blood pressure in adults)
• Mercury (kidney damage)

Organic Chemicals

Examples of organic chemicals in drinking tap water are:

• Benzene (anemia, increased risk of cancer)
• Dinoseb (reproductive difficulties)
• Vinyl Chloride (increased risk of cancer)

Radionuclides

Examples of radionuclides in drinking tap water are:

• Alpha Particles (increased risk of cancer)
• Radium 226/228 (increased risk of cancer)
• Uranium (increased risk of cancer and kidney toxicity)

Resource for Contaminants in Drinking Tap Water

See the extensive list of contaminants in drinking tap water at the EPA website.

Filed Under: Drinking Tap Water

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is a notoriously poisonous chemical element. The medical community indicates it is known to be a carcinogen. The fact is that Arsenic in water is naturally occurring.

Arsenic in Water? Really?

“Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a problem that affects millions of people across the world” ~ Wikipedia

Drinking water with high levels of arsenic in it over several years increases the chance of acquiring liver, lung, and bladder cancers. And, the medical community indicates it can cause diabetes, heart disease, neurological damage. It has been determined that Arsenic inhibits the ability of our body to fight off cancers and other diseases.

 

Arsenic in water. Let that sink in for a moment…

What Else is in Our Drinking Water?

Arsenic is not the only troubling toxin found in our tap water. Besides Arsenic in water, there are many chemicals and toxins present in tap water. The Safe Drinking Water Act established maximum levels for 87+ contaminants in our drinking water. Notice the emphasis on the words “maximum levels” in the last sentence? The Act did not eliminate the contaminants. Rather, it established upper “allowable” limits for the contaminants in our drinking water…including a maximum limit of Arsenic.

Recently, Environmental Protection reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Monte Vista Water Company to reduce Arsenic levels in the drinking water they provide to in Douglas, AZ. Apparently it is so serious, that the EPA may fine Monte Vista Water Company $37,000 per day.

How to Remove Arsenic in Water…

There are two drinking water systems that remove arsenic in water, as well as the majority of chemicals and toxins found in our tap water. They are:

• Reverse Osmosis Filter Systems (RO Water Systems)
• Water Distillers (Distiller Water)

RO water systems remove approximately 50-80% of the chemicals and toxins found in tap water. Distilled water systems remove up to 99% of chemicals and toxins found in tap water…including arsenic in water.

If you have the choice, would you choose clean drinking water? The good news is that you do have a choice, and you can act on it now.

Where to Buy Clean Drinking Water in San Jose?

Best Purified Water in San Jose, CA, sells steam distilled water and reverse osmosis water on tap. Bring in your water bottles (or get water bottles from us), and fill them up with clean drinking water. You should know that Best Purified Water is the only water store in San Jose that makes and sells steam distilled water.

How to Make Distilled Water from Tap Water…

If  San Jose is a bit too far to drive…or you want to make distilled water at home, get one of our home water distillers. Our home water distillers are the finest made, and they produce delicious, clean drinking water.

Say “No” to Arsenic in Water

Either way, you don’t have to accept arsenic in water…especially in your drinking water. Enjoy clean drinking water from a water distiller system or a reverse osmosis water filter system. And, say good0bye to arsenic in water.

Resource: EPA’s Drinking Water website

 Filed Under: Arsenic in Water

Safe Drinking Water?

In an effort to prevent epidemics and waterborne diseases, the “Safe Drinking Water Act” was signed into legislation in 1974. Under this act, over 200,000 municipal water systems nationwide are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Acceptable Levels of Water Contamination

The EPA set safety standards for over 80 contaminants, however some studies suggest there have been over 75,000 chemical compounds identified in our waters. The EPA safety standards define maximum levels of bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals that are apparently considered “acceptable” in the water we use for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Anything above those levels are considered contaminated or polluted.

The water that leaves your local municipal water treatment plant likely meets all EPA health standards. Then, there’s those miles of underground pipes in various stages of decay that deliver the water to your kitchen faucet.

“If you clean up the water and put it in a dirty pipe, there’s not much point”, stated Timothy Ford (Montana State University microbiologist and water research scientist). Ford further indicated, “I consider the distribution system to be the highest risk and the greatest problem we are going to be facing in the future”.

“Acceptable” Contamination…and Your Family

Even though the water probably does not exceed the EPA’s standards, do you really want your family drinking and cooking with water that has “acceptable” levels of bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals in it?

Water Filtration Systems

Did you know that reverse osmosis water filters are capable of making drinking water approximately 50 – 80% pure. And, steam distillers are capable of making drinking water up to 99% pure…that’s right…up to 99% pure drinking water!

Where can I get steam distilled water?

If you’re anywhere near San Jose, CA, you will want to check-out the steam distilled water and reverse osmosis water that Best Purified Water has on-tap for you. No membership fee…just bring your 5 gallon bottle (or get one from us), and fill it up with steam distilled water. The steam distilled water is approximately 99% pure…and it’s delicious.

Want a home water filtration system?

Not near San Jose, CA…or you’d rather make steam distilled water or reverse osmosis water at home? We’ve got you covered with the best water distillers and reverse osmosis systems available.  Check-out our water products page…and call us to get a great price on a home water filtration systems.

Filed Under: Steam Distilled Water