Could my water be contaminated?

Today, there are very few people who are not aware of the problems with our drinking water supply. There are news reports each week about yet another clean-up effort initiated on chemicals spills, improperly lined landfills, agricultural run-offs and sulfur dioxide emissions into the air. Toxic materials such as PCBs and heavy metals are rapidly leaching into our aquifers and contaminating our water supplies faster than government agencies can find solutions.

Water, being nature's universal solvent, has the ability to dissolve almost anything with which it comes in contact. Hence, rain and melting snow carry pesticides, and fertilizers into our streams, rivers, lakes and wells. Nitrates from fertilizers used for agriculture and home lawn care can contaminate water supplies. Trichloroethylene and benzene, the most commonly found contaminants surrounding industrial waste sites, are both known to cause cancer.

Municipal water that is chlorinated kills most bacteria and viruses; however, chlorine may be one of the most dangerous chemicals consumed by humans. Recent research studies indicate that chlorine combines with naturally occurring organic substances found in tap water to form carcinogenic compounds such as trihalomethanes and chloroforms. A study conducted by the Columbia University School of Public Health found that people who drink chlorinated water run a 44% greater risk of dying from cancer of the gastro-intestinal or urinary tract then those who drink unchlorinated water. This is just one example of what happens when chemicals combine. What other combinations are happening that we are not aware of?

Less than 1% of all municipally treated water is used for drinking water and personal consumption. It stands to reason that it doesn't make economic sense to purify all municipal water when such a small amount is used for drinking. Who can afford the cost to purify water that is used for laundry, flushing toilets, fighting fires, etc?

Even if municipal water was pure as it left the treatment facility, it may have to travel through miles of pipe to reach your home. And these pipes are guaranteed to be filthy.

In homes and businesses a wide range of cleaners, detergents, solvents and chemicals are used every day. After they go down the drain, where do they eventually end up? Back out in the environment where they can eventually work their way into water supplies. Lead and other heavy metals can be dissolving into your water supply from piping, solder joints and brass fixtures. Lead, when ingested, can cause severe kidney damage and learning disabilities-particularly in children.

Most people judge the quality of their drinking water by the way it tastes, looks or smells; however, the majority of chemicals and contaminants in water are tasteless, colourless, odourless and invisible to the eye.

This dismal picture leaves many of us wondering just how wisely we're replacing this vital 70% of our own bodies. Clearly there is a demand for a safer choice.

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