- Who conducted the survey?
- Who is the EWG?
- How do I know if my water is affected?
- How do I remove contaminants from my water?
- Final Thoughts
A new survey of the nation’s tap water has revealed that all across the United States a toxic mix of cancer linked chemicals remain in treated water. You may be surprised to find that although most of the water may meet federal standards for water filtration, they do not meet the latest health guidelines. Pollution of water sources, antiquated infrastructure and a failure to meet ever changing scientific findings all could contribute to the water contamination.
Who conducted the survey?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) scientists and researchers spent over two years collecting and analyzing US water contaminant test data from over 50,000 water systems. They compiled all their findings into a Tap Water Database where consumers can enter their zip code and see a report of both the amount and type of contaminants in their location’s drinking water.
According to their findings, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed to adequately protect consumers from toxic chemical contamination in their drinking water. There has been no new contaminates added to the EPA’s Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water regulation list since 2000. For the regulations that do exist, many do not follow the latest research for health safety and are out of date.
Who is the EWG?
Created in 1993, the Environmental Working Group(EWG) is a nationwide, non-profit environmental group dedicated to protecting public health. They work to provide easy access to information to make the best decisions for your health. Their mission:
To empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.
Taken from ewg.org
How do I know if my water is affected?
Enter your zip code into the EWG database found here. The type of chemicals and their amounts are listed along with safety assessments of the adverse health effects associated with exposure to those chemicals.
How do I remove contaminants from my water?
Contrary to many survival movies making us think the contrary, boiling is not the cure all for clean water. Boiling water DOES NOT remove all contaminants. Heavy metals, salts, and most chemicals are not removed by boiling alone.1 The EWG provides four steps to picking a home tap water filter.
- Find out what’s in your tap water.
- Check out their Tap Water database to see what is found in your water.
- Compare filter types.
- That way you can select a filter that can address the contaminants in your supply.
- Choose a filter.
- Cost, size, and kitchen layout can all become factors in making your final choice.
- Maintain the filter.
- Make sure you replace filter cartridges when needed to keep your water filtered properly.
You can find the guide to selecting a home tap water filter here.
Final Thoughts
The EPA may not be in the forefront of most people’s minds but they have a great influence in your quality of life. Tasked with regulating pollutants and contaminants in the environment, usually EPA certified on an item is supposed to inspire confidence. That confidence wavers however when you discover that their standards seriously lag behind the science of today.
Although much of the nation’s water may meet legal standards of treatment for chemicals found within it, those standards provide a wide allowance of chemicals to remain in the water. Chemicals linked with cancer and other adverse health effects. What do we do when we can’t trust our water supply?
It has become ever more evident that we must press our government to see that our infrastructure and standards of regulation are updated to a level that meets and exceeds current scientific findings for safety and insure clean drinking water for all.
Sources:
https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/water-filter-step-by-step-guide.php
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Just Talking Shep 