Wellness: Do You Know What’s in Your Water?

Tragedies such as the Flint water crisis should serve as a reminder to everyone that what’s in our water matters. Thanks to modern technology, in most of the United States, free, clean drinking water is available to anyone that has a tap. The same goes for showers and toilets. But do you know what’s actually in your water?

In most municipalities, you can find out about the health of your water supply from your utility company. A yearly water quality report goes out to all residents and it will show you the contaminant levels in your water. While the scariest one is lead, other common contaminants include chlorine, byproducts of disinfectants and trace pharmaceuticals.

Even if you’ve got your Brita system secure in your fridge, your shower and sink are still points of exposure. Not many people think about it, but a filter for your shower can help protect you from these germs as you bathe. Shower filters can be found for under $30 and easily attach to your shower head.

If you’re a swimmer, you have to contend with chlorinated water as well as the particles and germs from your fellow swimmers. You can help mitigate your exposure by wearing goggles and showering before and after entering the pool.

It’s easy to take water for granted in the United States. For the most part, we don’t have to contend with parasites or other deadly contaminants. Water is the foundation for life. It is imperative that we stay vigilant about the water we use and do all we can to protect our water sources.