What’s in Your Drinking Water?
Look What’s in Your Drinking Water…

Mineral Build-up in City Water Pipe
Photo: Courtesy Portland Water District
Safe Drinking Water Act
The ‘Safe Drinking Water Act‘ (SDWA) of 1974 set standards for the maximum allowable particles and bacteria in our drinking water. It was a step in the right direction, as it set minimum standards for water quality…at a time when the quality of our drinking water fluctuated from one water treatment plant to another.
The Target of the Safe Drinking Water Act
The SDWA was aimed at owners and operators of our local water treatment plants. So, water leaving a local water treatment facility is required not to exceed a maximum level of particles, bacteria, and other chemicals. Naturally, our drinking water flows through miles of underground pipes to ultimately be delivered to your kitchen faucet.
Condition of Municipal Water Pipes
The water leaving your local municipal water treatment plant most likely meets EPA health standards…particles and all. Then, the water travels through miles of underground pipes in various stages of decay until it arrives at your kitchen faucet.
“Investigations conducted in the last five years suggest that a substantial proportion of waterborne disease outbreaks, both microbial and chemical, is attributable to problems with distribution systems.” ~ National Research Council (Research Study for EPA released in 2006)
Many water distribution pipes are coated with layers of mineral, chemical, and biologic deposits that end up re-contaminating our drinking water as it makes its way from the water treatment plant to your kitchen faucet. It’s estimated there over 200,000 water main breaks each year…allowing contaminants into our water supply.
“If you clean up the water and put it in a dirty pipe, there’s not much point” ~ 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 Decaying Water Pipes
As long as the maximum amount of contaminants are not exceeded, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that our water is ‘safe’ to drink, cook with, and bathe in. Is the SDWA standard high enough for your family? Do you really want your family drinking water with particles, bacteria, and chemicals in it?
Water Filtration Systems
You may be surprised to know that reverse osmosis water filters are capable of making drinking water approximately 50 – 80% pure. And, you may be happier to realize that steam distillers are capable of making drinking water up to 99% pure…that’s right…up to 99% pure drinking water!
As you’re reading this, you begin to understand that the tap water you’re drinking may just not be good enough for your family. Why drink and cook with water running through a pipe like the one shown above…when you can drink water that is up to 99%+ pure?
“When you compare two cups of coffee or tea side-by-side (one made with unfiltered tap water & one made with steam distilled water), you’ll swear they are two entirely different tastes. Once you choose stream distilled water, you’ll never go back to unfiltered tap water again.” ~ Don Roberts (longtime customer)
How Do 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. There is 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. Find us here.
Want a Home Water Filtration System?
If you’re 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 purification systems page…and call us to get a great price on home water filtration systems.

