Is Your Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Updated: 8/13/01

By: Brenda R. Generali, C.N.C. In February 1998, Channel 2 (KTVU) 10 o'clock news reported that women who drink 5 glasses of tap water per day in the Santa Clara Valley are up to 3 times more likely to miscarry than those who drink bottled water. The news service is conducting a study on the tap water and warning the public of a "potential" danger. The water district spokesperson made it very clear that it is safe to drink tap water. So who do we believe? And what would make the tap water unsafe to drink? Trihalomethanes (THM's) According to the WQA Glossary of Terms, 3rd Edition, Trihalomethanes (THM's) are a group of organic chemicals which are suspected of being carcinogenic. They are formed in water when chlorine being used as a disinfectant reacts with natural organic matter (such as humic acids from decaying vegetation). Humic acids are present in all natural water used as sources of drinking water. Chloroform is one of the most common THM's formed in this type of reaction. Chloroform The most common THM, chloroform, was one of the earliest anesthetics but it is no longer used because of it's side effects. Currently chloroform is widely used as an industrial solvent. This group of compounds can effect the nervous and muscular systems and may be carcinogenic. What Can I Do About This? The most inexpensive way to begin to remove the chemicals from your body is to include Granular Activated Charcoal into your daily routine. The best way to change the water quality for your entire family is to invest in a Reverse Osmosis Filtration System. What About The Shower? For information on the water quality in your shower, click here. Online Resources Report Warns of Dangerous Tap Water California Department of Water Resources Chemistry Division Maximum Trihalomethane Potential SOP Chemistry Division Trihalomethane SOP Health Risk of the Trihalomethanes Found in Drinking Water: Carcinogenic Activity and Interactions Hewlett-Packard Chemical Analysis Literature Chemistry Division Trihalomethane SOP Municipal Permanganate Applications: Improving the Quality of Life Optimization of WTPs For the Control of Trihalomethanes (THMs) Strategic Assessment of Florida's Environment (SAFE) - Total Trihalomethanes, Nitrate, Sulfate, and Fluoride Exceeding Level of Concern Texas Administrative Code TTHM Simulator Water Use and Management in Sonoma County, California Please send E-mail to: joyful@best.com if you have any questions.