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The Effects of Bacteria & Minerals in Tap Water

Water is the most vital thing for life. Unfortunately, tap water is riddled with thousands of contaminants, and many people are unaware of what their drinking water contains. When people are informed about the quality of their water, they can make educated choices and determine if tap water is something they don't mind consuming.

There are hundreds of minerals found in tap water, but the most common mineral is fluoride. Fluoride has been in American communities for more than fifty years and has been used to prevent disease, promote health, and fight against tooth decay. Two other minerals found in drinking water is calcium and magnesium. These two minerals are also beneficial to health. Calcium and magnesium are absolutely natural and can also be found in food.

  1. Chlorine in Tap Water

    • Chlorine is another chemical that is used in tap water. It's used to kill bacteria like E. coli and other harmful bacterium that are prominent in tap water. Chlorine is an efficient disinfectant that was added to the public water system to kill germs and eliminate waterborne illnesses; however, in large doses, chlorine can be harmful to health. For example, pregnant women who drink chlorine have a greater chance of birth defects and miscarriages.

    Considerations

    • The level of bacteria in tap water can range based on the economic prosperity of a country. For example, high levels of contaminants that can cause death have been found in the tap water in Haiti, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

    Risks

    • Government officials take many precautions to ensure the water system is safe and clean, but there are numerous cases in which bacteria such as E. coli and parasites seep into people's homes through the water system. When this happens, officials often issue a "boil-water advisory" warning people to disinfectant their tap water before using it for drinking or cleaning.

    Tap Water Versus Bottled

    • Although tap water has its share of bacteria, it is generally safer than bottled water. Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and bottled water is regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). The EPA has stricter guidelines, which reduce the amount of contaminants that are allowed in municipal water systems.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Many cities are attempting to remedy the bacteria levels in their water, but individuals must realize they increase their health risk when deciding to consume water from the tap. The most effective thing a person can do is buy a purified water filter to eliminate any possible bacteria and harmful contaminants. Water filters are gaining in popularity because they can effectively provide safe and clean water.

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