When I was in high school, a canvasser for an environmental organization came to my door to raise money to clean up our city’s tap water. I quickly informed him that my parents were not home and that his organization’s minimum contribution amount exceeded my monthly allowance. However, I volunteered to write a letter to my local representative on the issue although I was too young to vote. I ran to the computer so that my letter would be ready for him to pick up by the time he was done soliciting donations in my neighborhood. As I was typing away, it dawned on me that I wasn’t exactly sure what was even in the drinking water. I now realize I was probably in the majority.

We’ve all seen the headlines warning of a wide variety of contaminants and their health effects. Everything from chlorine to PCBs, pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, parasites and
heavy metals have made their way to our water supply and been implicated in causing various diseases. But what exactly makes it into your tap water? Luckily, the Environmental Working Group has published an informative report which provides details about water contaminants at the local level. You can even look up your own local water system report and pinpoint potential contaminants in your tap water.

But what can we do about it? I wrote a letter to my congressman a decade ago, and I even used to have a public access television show on water policy, but I also do my level best to drink clean water. I spent several months trying to figure out the best way to do this. Unfortunately, bottled water might not be the best alternative. Standards for bottled water are very similar to those set for tap water, and in fact 25% of bottled water is actually repackaged tap water. Distilled water certainly removes chemicals but removes trace minerals which are essential for good health. The chemicals can vaporize and recondense into the distilled water. Reverse osmosis filters are expensive and have been shown in studies to actually CONCENTRATE lead and aluminum instead of removing them. These expensive filters also do not reduce most volatile organic chemicals. I used to buy my water at a health food store, and I learned that it too filtered out trace minerals. This was concerning because high magnesium levels in drinking water have been linked to resistance to heart disease. Besides, distillers are quite expensive.

I ended up purchasing a Multi-pure filter because it is NSF certified to reduce the highest level of contaminants of any filter in the market. It also reduced the contaminants of concern in my area. Multi-Pure is certified by NSF under Standard 42- aesthetic effects for chlorine, chloramines and particulate matter. Multi-Pure is also certified under Standard 53- health effects for asbestos, certain endocrine disrupters, cysts, lead, mercury, MTBE, trihalomethanes, turbidity, and volatile organic compounds (51 chemicals & pesticides). At 7 cents a gallon, I also save close to $300 a year on water alone–this doesn’t even include gas to get to the health food store!

After purchasing a water filter, I realized that I was likely absorbing more chlorine in the shower than I was from drinking it. Luckily, shower filters and crystal bath balls are also available through Multi-pure. Once you take a shower with one of these, you’ll never go back!

Next, I began to think about what I was storing my water in. Glass and stainless steel are ideal choices, but I really prefer plastic water bottles. I looked into plastics that are safe for storing food and water and do not leach harmful substances. According to naturopathic doctor Joseph Mercola, the best types of plastic are polypropylene (#5 PP), high-density polyethylene (#2HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (#4HDPE). Although snopes.com would disagree, the Weston Price Foundation states that plastics can contain residues of polycarbonates called phthalates, which are endocrine disrupters.

As you can see, research on safe water is confusing and often time-consuming! If you need some help researching contaminants in your local drinking water, sorting through options and looking at the pros and cons of drinking water alternatives, please drop me a line. I would love to personally assist you in determining your best options for reducing the contaminants in your tap water based on your own unique needs and priorities. I am an independent Multi-pure distributor, but I am also very interested in researching water and promise to help you make the best decision for yourself and your family. If you would like my help, please send me an e-mail with the following information: your city and state, your water company and what your specific priorities are in a water filtration system (e.g. the taste of the water, any specific contaminants, your primary health concerns, purchase price, cost per gallon, certification, warranty, etc.) I’ll also need to know whether you prefer pure lab science in addressing these concerns or not!

On that note, make sure to get enough water this summer! Check out this awesome page put together by Catalyst Athletics which gives information on what that oft-quoted advice actually means.

For a more holistic view of water, check out Karen Robinson’s article about water, salt and hydration as well.

Drink up!