Chemicals in Tap water

If you have found this site, then you're probably already aware that our drinking and bathing water is essentially under siege.

I grew up thinking clean drinking water was a given. Now, grant it, that was a bit naive, but with all the municipal water treatment plants around this country, did you ever consider that finding a clean water source could become so difficult?

With all the nasty contaminants entering our water, from so many different sources, it’s no wonder we’re suffering from so many ailments. From the increase in allergies, cancers, Alzheimer’s – it’s not that far a stretch to begin considering that maybe all those chemicals we have been ingesting over the course of our lives, might just be manifesting themselves.

The CBS News did a story on April 20th, 2009 which stated among other things, that the “…major drug makers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water,” for the nearby communities.

Well, that’s swell!

The article goes on to point out that there are numerous other pharmaceuticals that are used in other manufacturing processes that find there way into our water, as well. There’s no way of knowing for sure to what extent, because according to federal and industry insiders, nobody’s keeping track.

What? That can’t be, right?!

The Associated Press, through its PharmaWater Investigation, has identified at least 22 compounds that end up being discharged into our waterways.

On top of that, The Associated Press reported, “A vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies...”i

It’s already been shown through research that small amounts of these various chemicals can be devastating to fish and wildlife.

I don’t know of any research that has taken into account the compounding effect the ingestion of these drugs may have.

Nor do these studies consider that there may be multiple contaminants in our water at one time. Oh, and these studies pretty much refer to the effects the ingestions of these drugs may have on a normal adult. No consideration has been taken into account for children or pets.

How many parents mix up a batch of formula for their infant children everyday, using water with “trace” amounts of pharmaceuticals present? We all know that children may have stronger reactions to drugs than adults; otherwise they wouldn’t mandate smaller dosages for children.

Utilities maintain the water is safe, as do doctors and the EPA. But, it’s pretty common knowledge that the testing procedures and water filtration systems at most municipal water treatment plants are inadequate.


"We know we are being exposed to other people's drugs through our drinking water, and that can't be good," says Dr. David Carpenter, who directs the Institute for Health and the Environment of the State University of New York at Albany.ii

So, before you gulp down that clear glass of water, you may want to give some serious thought to what you may actually be drinking. The need for home water purification has never been higher.
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i )PHARMAWATER I / Pharmaceuticals found in drinking water, affecting wildlife and maybe humans / By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD / Associated Press Writers

ii )PHARMAWATER I / Pharmaceuticals found in drinking water, affecting wildlife and maybe humans / By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD / Associated Press Writers