In highly developed societies like Australia, tap water is generally regarded as being 'fit to drink'. In other words, you are unlikely to encounter the same kind of gastrointestinal difficulty as you might in a third world country. This does not necessarily mean that the tap water is entirely good for you though, as many experts think that it is much better to drink filtered water instead. What should you do?

Pause for Thought

Even though the risk of bacterial infection from tap water is very low, you may still come across different chemicals within the water that are, ironically, designed to make it fit for human consumption.

Fluoride

For example, you may come across fluoride, and even though this is regulated by the government, it is still a neurotoxin if ingested in high doses. Fluoride may also affect your thyroid which regulates hormone production and this can take place at surprisingly low concentration.

Lead

While the water may be tested by the government at its point of origin, it still has to travel through an increasingly outdated system in order to get to your home. Many of the underground pipes are made from lead, and some of these are quite old. There is a risk that lead can leach into the tap water when plumbing is out of date and as components that make up the system break down. A higher concentration of lead in the blood can lead to issues with the liver and these can build up over time.

Chlorine

Chlorine is perhaps one of the most controversial additives to be found within tap water. While chlorine can certainly kill pathogens, it does not interact too well with the average human being. Some studies suggest that it can be linked to colorectal or bladder cancer.

Taking Action

If all these additives give you cause for concern, you can always take action by introducing a home water filter. These can be added to each tap if needed, or you can also install a whole house water filter that intercepts the H2O as it enters the home. There are a variety of different filters available in the marketplace, and one of them is sure to fit within any budget. Remember, it's not all about the money either, especially when you consider the amount of water that each member of the family will need to consume on a daily basis.

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