Toxins in Your Tap Water: Why You Should Drill a Well
We’ve already written about the benefits of well water. For many well owners, that’s the only option for a source of drinking water. However, there are many people out there on a municipal water supply. And many of them are unaware that it’s likely legal to drill a well on their property if they so choose. But why would they do that unless they were really convinced that tap water wasn’t as healthy as well water?
Let us preface this list by saying we don’t believe drinking tap water is dangerous, but we do believe that high-quality well water is better for you in the long-term. So take all of this information with a grain of salt and always do your own research.
Let’s start with the basics. Tap water is treated water. It comes from rivers, lakes, and groundwater before it’s treated at a treatment plant. To make sure it’s safe to drink it’s filtered and dosed with chemicals like chlorine to kill parasites, bacteria, viruses.
Fluoride
Long touted as a public health victory for dental health, fluoride has been in the spotlight recently. Some studies indicate that the benefits to dental health may have been overstated. Additionally, there are concerns that fluoride is a neurotoxin that may have negative side effects such as lowering IQ, especially in infants and small children. If the studies are true, that would far outweigh the dental health positives.
Chlorine
Used to disinfect and purify water as part of the treatment, chlorine can cause respiratory problems and damage cells. Some studies link it to certain types of cancer, asthma, birth defects, and premature skin aging.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Since a lot of prescription medication gets flushed down the toilet and recycled back into the water supply, these same drugs are finding their way into the water supply. Drugs ranging from painkillers to antipsychotics are now in most water supplies.
Lead
Houses made in the 1980’s don’t have to worry, but older homes often had water pipes made of lead. These pipes can become corroded thus putting lead into the tap water. Lead has a proven history of being linked to learning issues. Keep in mind that some cities still transport their water in lead pipes (see: Flint MI) so be sure to research your own city’s water quality.
Hexavalent Chromium
You may remember this chemical from the movie Erin Brockovich. A known toxin, this is now showing up in 31 US city water supplies, and the government still doesn’t regulate it.
Pesticides
Known to cause birth defects and miscarriages, according to the USDA pesticides are found in 94% of the US drinking water.
What Can I Do?
Get your own water tested, do your own research, and come to your own conclusion on what’s right for your family.
If Tap Water Is so Unhealthy, Should I Buy Bottled Water Instead?
Buying bottled water might sound like a good idea if you’re concerned about tap water and don’t want to pay to have a well drilled, but studies show that bottled water is often just bottled tap water. Not only that, but the bottled water industry is lightly regulated and 25% of bottled water is actually tap water according to the NRDC.
Need to Get a New Well Drilled?
If you live in the greater Raleigh area, consider A&T Well and Pump, a reputable company that specializes in well drilling, maintenance, and repairs. They will test the water, inspect the well, make any necessary repairs, and then disinfect the well before you resume using the water. If you have any of the concerns detailed above, or just want to get some routine testing and maintenance done, contact us today by calling 919-291-4063 or by filling out the appointment request form at the top of the page.
