Do You Know What You're Drinking?

By Anthony Escobar

(Scanned in, unedited. Edit it for me and get a couple extra credit points!)

Everyday you drink from your kitchen faucet. It's cloudy and may have a slight

odor. Unaware ofwhat it contains you drink the water anyway. We are so accustomed to

drinking water that we never stop to think whether or not what we're getting for such a

low price is actually safe. After all it comes from the local treatment plant. If it wasn't

safe, they wouldn't let you drink it. Or would they',

Our body is made of about 40-45 quarts of water. It is present in all our cells and

makes up 83% of our blood, 86% of our lungs, 75% of our heart, 74% of our brain and

even 22% of our bones. In order to replenish what we lose through sweat, elimination,

and breathing doctors recommend that we drink at least eight glasses a day. This water is

used to flush out impurities in tissue and to maintain optimum performance (Ray 38).

The water we drink influences our standard ofliving. The body is in such demand of

water that it is rapidly absorbed along with nearly everything dissolved and contained in

it. The dilemma of today is not quantity ofwater, but quality ofwater. IfI were to hand

you a glass of chlorine, rust, blood worms and raw sewage, would you drink it? These

are just a few of the things found in residential drinking water. It may look like water but

in reality it is a toxic cocktail. Although many people feel that the drinking water they

use in their household tap is safe, it is actually very hazardous because ofthe chemicals in

the air that eventually recede into our water, the numerous metals and bacteria found in

the water, and the amount of chlorine used in poor treatment plants.

Nature's hydrological cycle provided a natural way ofreplenishing and recycling

the earth's fresh water supplies, but with the increase ofpollution we have altered this

cycle to the extent ofendangering our own health. Most ofthe pollutants are industrial

and automobile waste such as sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Not only do these

compounds combine with oxygen in the atmosphere, but when combined with rain they

cause acid rain. Lead is literally eaten from the soldered copperjoints in homes by the

water containing too much corrosive acid. Acid rain leaches elements from the soils as

well as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers (Mitchell 114). Across the earth there are

signs ofpollution in lakes, rivers, and oceans because there have been years oftoxic

dumping. In fact, there is not one body of water not affected by pollution. Many of our

rivers and lakes are unsuitable for recreational use or drinking water ("Water Safety" 16).

Water rises from the contaminated lakes and rivers and then rains back on the earth. As it

flows over city streets and fertilized fields it carries with it particles from where it has

been. It gathers such things as manure, storm sewer run-off, agriculture chemicals, and

industrial discharges (Lewis 55). Mitchell reports that the problem with polluted water

lies in contaminated runoff:

By far the largest share ofthe runoffproblem, however, belongs to

agriculture: 44 ofthe states report ground water contamination caused

by runoff from farms and ranches. Sediments, organic matter and

bacteria flow from our fields and pastures by the ton - an average of

five tons an acre a year if we're counting just the soil eroded from

croplands. Besides choking aquatic life in the recipient watenvays,

the sediments deposit piggy back traces of fertilizers, herbicides, and

insecticides too. (114)

The harmful material is collected and then deposited in our groundwater. This is

why one ofthe biggest threats to our water is invisible, because it is underground. "Fifty

percent of our population depends on ground water. But in rural areas, 90 percent of the

population may depend on ground water" (Winner 28). The supplies are threatened by

human activities, although, some natural events can also bring contamination. Once

ground water is contaminated there is no easy cure and it becomes very expensive to

clean up. Ground water is a precious resource and a large contributor ofpublic drinking

water (Winner 29).

Clean water is what everyone wants, but it seems no longer available from the

average tap. There are hundreds oftoxins, heavy metals, poisons, viruses, and other

harmful contaminants in America's water supplies (Ray 38). Contaminants are the cause

of many diseases and discomforts among the population, but because of ignorance water

seems to be the last thing suspected. I feel the best way to discuss the article How To

Make Sure Your Drinking Water's Safe, is to quote the author John Poppy who wrote:

The three threats that worry water experts most are these: microbes

(viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites such as Cryptosporidium,

which caused the Milwaukee illnesses and Giardia); chemicals

(inorganic, such as lead and nitrate, and organic, such as benzene and

several dozen others on the EPA's list of ofcontaminants); and

disinfection byproducts (what chlorine produces, for example when it

reacts with the residues of organic debris, such as leaves). (95)

Microbes usually make you sick quickly, while chemical and disinfection byproducts are

associated with cancer among other diseases. In April of 1993 there were more than

400,000 people in Milwaukee who developed gastrointestinal infections because of

exposure to contaminated drinking water. Over 4,000 people were hospitalized and

cryptosporidiosis added up to almost 100 deaths (Lewis 55).

Another harmfUl substance found in over 20% ofhomes is lead. Unlike other

minerals lead is ofno benefit to the body. Among children, lead has been found to attack

the brain and nen~ous systems causing a decline in intellectual and motor skills. Lead in

water doesn't have immediate noticeable effects, but gradually accumulates in a persons

body. The lead found in drinking water is usually not present when the water leaves the

treatment plant, however it is caused by the acid in the water eating soldered copper pipes

on its way to your home (Pappas 70). Water from the tap may look pure, but beneath the

surface are thousands of disease causing elements. This can help us to understand why s

many people today are sick.

The body is an electrical system, as such it requires good components in order to

fUnction properly. There are thousands ofneurons throughout the body that transfer

neurotransmitter substances for various activities. These transmitters determine emotion,

reaction, and mood outcomes. In order for an electrical system to work there must be

conductors. The minerals our bodies require, act as these conductors and are therefore

necessary for healthy living. Many ofthe needed minerals are found in natural spring

water and in food. When these minerals are not present in our food anymore because of

depleted soil, or in our water because of contaminants, the transmitters begin to short

circuit and cause many health problems. Some ofthese are depression, attention deficit

disorder (ADD), and chronic fatigue syndrome (Ray 38).

Many people feel that their water is safe because they are never immediately

stricken with disease. According to Sullivan, "American tap water is the cleanest in the

world." He goes on to say, "When was the last time anyone you know had cholera? The

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in most years fewer than 10,000

people report getting sick from drinking tap water in the U.S." (1) This is because most

people who are found ill by a waterborne disease usually stay home in discomfort and if

reported professionals rarely blame drinking water. A simple illustration explains the

matter. If you were to drop a frog in boiling water, he'll jump right out. But, if you put

him in cold water and slowly raise the temperature to boiling, the frog will boil with the

water. Our drinking water has been becoming worse each year and many of us have just

become used to it. The sad thing is usually some one has to die before anyone begins to

care. "Water is the most precious commodity on earth. We bathe in it, we play in it, and

most importantly we drink it. Yet we treat it has though it were an inexhaustible well.

We are finding out that it is not" ("Water Safety" 16).

According to the Clean Water Act, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is

responsible for ensuring the safe quality of drinking water. The standards for clean water

are far too weak because of the large amount of money it will require to clean up years of

pollution. Chlorine is used in many treatment plants and has been proven to aid in

disinfecting water. It kills many waterborne pathogens and neutralizes bacteria.

However, scientists have found that when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic

chemicals it creates disinfection by-products, such as chloroform. How often have you

taken a hot bath or shower and found yourselflight headed, or extremely tired afterwards.7

These are just a few symptoms associated with chloroform. Chemicals in tag water may

also cause more than 100,000 rectal and bladder cancers every year. In order to avoid

these byproducts, water treatment plants must remove organic material prior to

chlorination (Lewis 55-58). There are other treatments besides chlorination that can be

used to disinfect drinking water, but in comparison they are far more expensive.

Although the EPA standards are low, there are still too many people receiving water from

plants that violate the standard. There are just too many systems that don't have the

financial resources necessary for safe water supplies (Long 21). Many ofthe current

water treatment problems occur because of years of neglect by public authorities.

Worsnop quotes, Eric D, Olson, a senior

attomey for the Natural Resources Defense

Council: "it's an absurdity that 200,000 public water systems in the U.S. today . . a

substantial percentage ofwhich are 'basket cases' that cannot even meet most basic

microbiological standards" (123),

Our drinking water can be cleaned-up, but because of a large deficit and many

Other expenses it is treated very inexpensively. We spend millions of dollars each year to

treat the same diseases, which are rising at epidemic rates because we are so focused on

t'eahnent we forget all about prevention. Water is too vital for life, we can't afford to

treat it lightly.

Many people have recognized the need for cl

eaner water and have switched to

store bought bottled water. Although this water can be cleaner and safer than the tap, it is

still dangerous. Bottled water is tap water that is inexpensively filtered and then sold for

a 300% profit. The water placed in dusty, warehouse, plastic bottles is still contaminated.

AAer the water sits on store shelves for months at a time, it begins to act as a solvent and

leaches the chemicals found in the plastic. Bottled water that sits for even just a week

will also begin to grow bacteria. When finally opened you drink the poorly treated water.

the chemicals ~-om the plastic, and the growing bacteria (Worsnop 129).

Water in America overall is relatively cheap, in fact, most people don't think twice

about their water bill, if they even receive

O"e. Although the water may be inexpensive,

it is certainly not healthy. There are thousands found in the average glass. Many of these contaminants pose health hazards and in time

they are bound to lead to future deaths. Consumers simply need to become more aware

ofthe crisis they are faced with concerning their tap water.

Today's society is one of fast food. People are too busy to worry about their

personal health until they have to. Health is taken for granted everyday. But, when

someone becomes sick the first thing they say is, "What happened, I must of caught

somethingP

The only answer to pure water from the tap is to purify it immediately before you

drink it. You can clean up your water substantially by using a home water filtration

system. There are hundreds of different kinds available, some are better and more

expensive than others. However, anything would be an improvement. Many ofthese

systems can rest right next to your kitchen faucet and filter down to .5 a micron. This is

incredible considering a single human hair is a 100 micron. Water systems will not only

filter out chlorine, lead and other chemicals, but they will also filter out disease causing

bacteria (Poppy 98). With a home frlter you can bottle your own water and drink it fiesh

the same day. Personally after using a water filter for many years, the tap water I once

thought was clean now tastes horrible.

Although you may feel your water has never hurt you, or it tastes fine, there are

hidden dangers. You can call your local water company and request an analysis ofyour

water for a small fee and read on the report what you can't see in the glass. You can also

go to any sporting good store and purchase a water test kit. The kit is very easy and

comes with a small bottle of solution used for testing chlorine. If you fill a glass with

water from your tap and place only six drops ofthe solution in is YOu will see the water

becomes very yellow in color. This tells you that the water contains heavy chlorine,

chlorine that you drink every day,

You may feel a water filter at home is just too expensive and not important enough

right now, but the fact is we can afford what is important to us. Ifthe furnace brea~s in

the middle of winter, we can afford to fix it, even if it is expensive and certainly not

planned on. We fix it because it is important. Now important is your health? Soon all of

us will be 65 and have Alzheimer disease from too much lead, then we'll realize the

importance of clean water. Nothing can be more important than your health or the health

ofyour family, You can pay for it now, you'll do almost anything to regain it

Or you can pay for it later, but once it is gone,

Works Cited List

Lewis,ScottA. "TroubleOnTap." Sierra July 1995: 54-58

Long, Janice. "Senate's Drinking Water Act Revisions Take New Tack On

Environmental Issues." Chemical d~ EngineeringNews 6 June 1994: 21-22.

Mitchell, John G. "Our Polluted Run-off." National Geographic Feb. 1996: 106-125.

Pappas, Nancy J. "Lead Poisoning: The Silent Killer." ~Vomen's Day 9 May 1989:

106-125.

Poppy, John. "How To Make Sure Your Drinking Water's Safe.

Readers Digest Feb.

1994: 95-98.

Ray, Daniel. "Tap Water: How To Conquer The Chlorine Cocktail." Health Freedom

News Oct. 1989: 38.

Sullivan,R.Lee. "SnobWater." Forbes 14Aug. 1995: 192.

"Water Safety: A Planetary Problem." Energy Times Feb. 1996: 16.

Winner, Cherie. "Groundwater: Our Hidden Endangered Resource." CurrentHealth 2

Jan. 1996: 28-29.

CeResearcher 11Feb. 1994: 122-130.

Worsnop, Richard L. "Water Quality.