|
|
|
Have you ever wondered about the water that you are drinking? Is municipal water safer than private well water? How about filtered water and bottled water, maybe we should buy all of our water from the store. The United States is extremely fortunate to have the safe drinking water supply that we have, especially when we think about drought-striken third world countries with no source of clean water. Water is essential for daily living, not only for our health and survival, but also for cleanliness and recreation. August is "National Water Quality Month" - do you know the quality of the water your family is drinking?
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has jurisdiction over public municipal water supplies and requires that each city sample the water for safety and release the result of the quality water tests to the public. Municipal tap water is the source for 47.8% of bottled water, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, however bottled water companies are under no such requirement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the source of bottled water. There are no regulations that require bottled water companies to disclose the water's source, method of purification and any pollutants that may be in the water. Keep in mind that some bottled water companies do supply this information, and as a wise consumer it is recommended to research the brand of bottled water that you prefer.
Drinking water in Illinois is much cleaner and safer today than in the past, but because private well water can become contaminated by bacteria or manmade chemicals, the only way to ensure that your well water is safe is to test it. This is especially important for wells located near a current or former commercial or industrial area, livestock feed lots, gas station, and/or landfills. Clean, healthy drinking water is essential for good health, especially for infants and children, whose bodies are growing so quickly. If you drink private well water, make sure it's safe for you and your family. If you would like to have your private well tested for bacteria coliform and nitrates for a small testing fee, please contact the Mercer County Health Department at 309-582-3761 for a test kit.
Have you ever wondered about the water that you are drinking? Is municipal water safer than private well water? How about filtered water and bottled water, maybe we should buy all of our water from the store. The United States is extremely fortunate to have the safe drinking water supply that we have, especially when we think about drought-striken third world countries with no source of clean water. Water is essential for daily living, not only for our health and survival, but also for cleanliness and recreation. August is "National Water Quality Month" - do you know the quality of the water your family is drinking?
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has jurisdiction over public municipal water supplies and requires that each city sample the water for safety and release the result of the quality water tests to the public. Municipal tap water is the source for 47.8% of bottled water, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, however bottled water companies are under no such requirement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the source of bottled water. There are no regulations that require bottled water companies to disclose the water's source, method of purification and any pollutants that may be in the water. Keep in mind that some bottled water companies do supply this information, and as a wise consumer it is recommended to research the brand of bottled water that you prefer.
Drinking water in Illinois is much cleaner and safer today than in the past, but because private well water can become contaminated by bacteria or manmade chemicals, the only way to ensure that your well water is safe is to test it. This is especially important for wells located near a current or former commercial or industrial area, livestock feed lots, gas station, and/or landfills. Clean, healthy drinking water is essential for good health, especially for infants and children, whose bodies are growing so quickly. If you drink private well water, make sure it's safe for you and your family. If you would like to have your private well tested for bacteria coliform and nitrates for a small testing fee, please contact the Mercer County Health Department at 309-582-3761 for a test kit.
