I'm switching back from bottled water to tap water, but I need help.

[GOPBasher]

Okay, you all made me surrender and stop wasting resources and money by drinking bottled water. But now I have a question. How can I get information regarding what is in my tap water. For example, how much aluminum is in there? How much floride? How much arsenic? etc. (Toxins are the reason I stopped drinking tap water and started buying bottles, only to later realize that very often the bottled water is actually less regulated than the tap. That made me feel dumb.) Anyway, does anyone know where I can get that information?

Thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

1. just get a britta

but your local ag dept should have a resource where you can send a water sample

[GOPBasher]

3. Thank you! n/t

[Nicole]

2. EPA link for local water info online

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html

I get the report each July 1st, as stated in the link. I can also contact my city water dept. to request a copy anytime. Perhaps your city does that as well.

[GOPBasher]

4. Thank you! n/t

[Warpy]

5. Get yourself a Brita pitcher

which will filter out a lot of the crap plus chlorine. Refill the empty water bottles to take with you. Use them until they die and then recycle them.

Your local water board will be able to tell you what's in there. I get a yearly statement from my own water board because aresnic is a contaminant in deep well water out west.

I haven't had much bottled water, but I did find that the best tasting water was filtered tap water. I just do that at home, cheaper.

[ehrnst]

6. You can also get a faucet mounted filter, which is good if you cook alot.(nt)

[Donnachaidh]

7. we've had one for months -- the faucet mounted filter is the best

We've also gotten the showerhead that filters shower water. That's made a big difference in the amount of skin creams we've had to buy. No one is itching like crazy due to chemicals in the water supply drying out skin.

[demokatgurrl]

8. Yes, I prefer a PUR filter on the faucet

They last a long time if you ONLY use it for water you are going to consume. And you don't have to keep refilling pitchers.

[MissB]

9. Water systems are required to send a Consumer Confidence Report

each year. So you should be able to call up your water utility and ask for a copy. They're supposed to mail one out each year (most people don't look at them). The report will probably be from 07 since the 08 report isn't due until mid 09 (generally speaking states follow EPA's requirements for CCRs).

The CCR will tell you the results of the most recent chemical, biological and radiological testing. Britas won't filter out many things.

You'll find that the regulatory world hasn't caught up with things like pharmaceuticals and personal care product compounds that are being found in many raw water sources throughout our country but Britas won't remove them and bottled water isn't going to be free of those either.

You can also call your state regulatory agency or county health department for where to go for info. Chances are real good that your tax dollars are being paid in part to provide regulatory oversight - so call around and ask for some info.

I noticed upthread that someone provided you EPA's data link - good resource tho states' databases vary greatly in usefulness. At any rate your water utility is required under federal (state if they take the fed rules at the state level) law to provide you with info for free regarding your water.