Do You Know What You're Drinking?
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Among the many choices we make every day is whether to drink tap or bottled water. Here are a few facts about each that can help you decide. Tap water is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency for purity and safety. Bacteria levels and other contaminant levels are tested regularly and must fall within distinct and strict regulations. If there are any problems with water sources, your local water supplier is notified immediately. You can filter out particle impurities leeching from your pipes (which can alter taste) by using a charcoal filter (e.g. Brita or Pur). Plain or filtered tap water is cheap and tasty and a great way to hydrate. Bottled water is regulated much differently from tap water. It is considered a food by the Food and Drug Administration. Their guidelines are still pretty specific, but different from the guidelines for tap water. Be a savvy consumer because brands vary. Look for an 800 number or a website on the bottle l...