Safe, quality drinking water isn’t a given, even in countries with historically reliable systems. Incidents of contaminants leaching into water systems from faulty pipes, bacterial contamination and corporations dumping chemicals into water supplies dot our country’s history, and should have everyone thinking seriously about water quality. The source of contamination could be coming from inside the house, too, especially in older homes with lead pipes or asbestos.
Before we dive into common drinking water contaminants, I want to clarify that this list doesn’t necessarily indicate unsafe levels of any given contaminant in your area’s drinking water. The easiest way to determine what’s in your water is to review the annual water quality report from your local water utility. Don’t forget to consult the EPA’s handy guide to reading them (PDF).
It’s essential to review your local water quality report so you can determine if you want to take additional filtration steps at
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