With the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, most of us have become a bit more wary about the water we drink. In most of the country, tap water is perfectly safe for human consumption, but there are places where the water is contaminated or too full of sediment for our own good. So how can you know whether or not your water is filled with toxins, heavy metals, or contaminants? Here are a few ways to know your drinking water is safe:
Check the National Drinking Water Database — The Environmental Working Group has provided the “National Drinking Water Database”, a place to find out the quality of the water in not only your city, but in your Zip Code. It will even tell you if your water company is delivering poor quality water to your house! Make sure your water is close to both the “legal limit” and “healthy limit”.
Talk to your water company — The EPA requires your water company to provide you with an annual Consumer Confidence Report, a report that discloses the quality of the water being sent to your home. It tells you about any contaminants in your water, as well as any potential health risks of those contaminants. You can check out the water company’s website for the yearly report (posted before July 1st every year), or contact them and ask them to send it directly to your email.
Check the Drinking Water Watch Program website — The EPA provides the Drinking Water Watch Program to give you information on the quality of your water. 18 U.S. states participate in this program, including Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. Check the website to see if your state is one of the 18, and get an up-to-date report on the quality of your water.
Find out about well water — If your water comes from a well, the EPA has a database of most of the private wells in the country. You can find information on the well that provides your water in order to learn more about any potential contaminants or health hazards.
Learn about contaminants — Once you find out what’s in your water, it’s important to do research to find out what the potential hazards of each of these contaminations are. Study up on the various toxins, heavy metals, and minerals to determine if you are at risk, or they are at a safe level for your consumption.
Test it yourself — The EPA offers the Safe Water Hotline, a service that will connect you with water testing agencies in your area. The only way to be sure your water is safe is to test it for yourself, so it’s worth investing in!
Make sure your water is safe, or you could be doing serious harm to your body.
