WATER
MYTHS AND REALITIES
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Myth: We shouldn’t have to think about
drinking water.
Reality: We can no longer take our drinking water for granted. Public
participation is vital to protecting our water resources, building
adequate treatment plants, improving water delivery, analyzing costs
versus risks, and enacting appropriate legislation.
There are more pollutants in drinking
water today than there were 25 years ago
Reality: Not necessarily. There may be more contaminants that can
enter our water sources today. We did not have the technology to
know what was in our drinking water 25 years ago. Today we have
sophisticated testing instruments that enable us to know more about
our water than ever before. With this knowledge, the drinking water
community is taking steps to treat what’s in our water, to curb
the flow of pollution, and keep our water safe and wholesome.
Myth: We have less water today than we
did 100 years ago.
Reality: There is the same amount of water on Earth today as there
was three billion years ago. The difference is that today many more
demands are placed on the same amount of water. These increased
demands have, in a sense, created a different kind of water: water
that is regulated, treated and sold. Because our demands on water
continue to grow, but our supplies don’t, drinking water counts
on everyone lending a hand to conserve, protect and get involved
with decisions that affect our water resources.
Myth: Once you use water, it’s gone.
Reality: After water is used, it’s recycled innumerable times. Some
water is recycled for use within a week, other water may not be
used again for years.
Myth: Water is fragile and will be ruined
by so much use.
Reality: Water is resilient and responds well to treatment. However,
using water and abusing water by contaminating lakes, streams, and
wells with toxic chemicals are two different things. To keep our
drinking water safe, we need not only appropriate treatment, but
also appropriate source protection.
Myth: “New” water is better than treated
water.
Reality: There is very little water on Earth that is “new.” Most
of our water has been touched by some type of human or animal activity.
Even in “pristine” wilderness areas, studies have found bacteria
contaminating water. Therefore, it’s always best to drink water
that you know has been treated.
Myth: Bottled water is safer than tap
water
Reality: Not necessarily. The safety of bottled water and tap water
initially depends on the source of the water. Monitoring and source
protection, treatment and testing ultimately determine the quality
of the finished product. In the United States, the 1996 Reauthorization
of the Safe Drinking Water Act will require that bottled water be
monitored and tested in the same rigorous manner that tap water
has been subject to for years.
Myth: Using a home water treatment device
will make tap water safer or healthier to drink.
Reality: Some people use home water filters to improve the taste,
smell and/or appearance of their tap water, but it does not necessarily
make the water safer or healthier to drink. Additionally, all home
treatment devices, regardless of the technologies they use, require
regular maintenance. If the maintenance is not performed properly,
water quality problems may result.
Myth: If lead is in your water, it’s
the utility’s fault.
Reality: The most common source of lead in drinking water is the
plumbing in your home. Your plumbing may have lead pipes or lead
solder in the connections. Lead is a contaminant that is particularly
harmful to pregnant women and young children. If you are concerned
about lead in your water, contact your local health authorities
to find out how you can have your water tested by a certified laboratory.
If tests reveal that the lead content of your water is above 15
parts per billion, you should reduce your exposure to it. Since
warm water absorbs more lead than cold, when you cook, always start
with cold water. Because water standing in pipes tends to absorb
lead, clear the pipes before drinking by letting your tap run until
the water is cold. Catch the running water and use it to water your
plants.
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