What Is Cryptosporidium?

So, just what is Cryptosporidium, and why is it so bad?  More commonly known as “Crypto,” this microscopic parasite causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease.

Crypto is a hearty parasite that can infect animals and humans.   It has a protective outer shell that helps it survive in different environments.  Its shell is particularly resistant to chlorine, one of the most common disinfectants used to treat drinking water.

Crypto in Our Water

There are many ways that Crypto is spread, but the most common is through water.  Parasites from the stools of infected animals or people enter surface water sources. In the wild, rainwater and runoff can pick up infected feces and carry the parasites to larger water sources like rivers and lakes, which may be sources for public water.  In a swimming pool, if one person infected with Crypto has diarrhea in the water, it can contaminate the entire pool.

While municipal water may be regularly tested for Crypto, those with well water are not so lucky.   Well water can be contaminated from sewage overflows, improperly working sewage systems, contaminated stormwater runoff, and agricultural runoff. Wells are known to be more vulnerable to contamination, especially after flooding.  If your drinking water comes from a private well, it is your responsibility to have your water tested.  To find out where you can get a sample of your water tested, contact your state certification officer for a list of local laboratories.

Crypto Outbreaks

Despite our scientific advancements, the US has a high potential for outbreaks of Crypto. One of the most well-recorded outbreaks happened in Milwaukee in 1993. Over 400,000 people were infected by contaminated drinking water.  Milwaukee is not alone, and other cities have had major outbreaks over the years as well.

Source: USEPA (200lb)

Symptoms

If you have been exposed to Crypto, symptoms typically appear within two to ten days.  Signs that you have been infected include:

• Loose stools
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Weight loss

These symptoms can last for up to two weeks.  People with healthy immune systems can recover without issue.  If you have a compromised immune system or experience extreme symptoms, it is recommended that you seek help from a medical professional.

How Do I Know if My Water Is Contaminated?

Testing for Crypto can be quite difficult because it takes a large water sample to detect its presence.  The testing procedure passes a significant volume of water through a polypropylene filter.  This concentrates the sample, which is then manipulated so that if there is Crypto present, it can be viewed with an epifluorescence microscope. As you can see, this not something you can easily test for at home.

Prevention of Crypto Contamination

These dangerous parasites can live in the intestines of people and animals.  They are commonly found in livestock and wild animals.  Crypto is transmitted when animals or people ingest contaminated food or water.  While testing for Crypto may be difficult, prevention is actually pretty simple.

Here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid ingesting Crypto:

• Use water filters with a pore size of one micrometer or smaller.  Choose filters that are labeled “Absolute” and are noted to meet cyst removal standards.
• Boil water from a questionable source for at least one minute before using for cooking, drinking, or brushing your teeth.
• When traveling to areas that may have unsafe water supplies, drink bottled water from a source known to be safe.  Do not drink bottled water that is not properly sealed.
• Before swimming, check the inspection scores for pools, hot tubs, and water parks.
• Don’t swallow the water when swimming.

Make Sure Your Water Is Safe

While it may not be possible to test the water in your home for Crypto, you can test your water for a number of other contaminants.  Whether you have city water or your drinking water comes from a well, you can quickly and easily test your water at home.  TestAssured makes a number of individual tests and complete testing kits that will give you results in a matter of minutes.  Don’t take chances when it comes to your health and safety and that of your family.  Know what’s in your water.

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Glyphosate Contamination in Our Water Supplies

Glyphosate is a type of herbicide that is frequently sprayed on crops.  This widely used weed killing chemical has been also used industrially at office parks, schoolyards, home lawns, and golf courses for years. It is applied as a spray to the leaves of plants to prevent the growth of unwanted grasses and nuisance plants.  Roundup is one of the most recognized brands of herbicide known to contain glyphosate, but there are over 750 different weed killers and other products that contain glyphosate on store shelves in the United States.

There is a growing concern that high concentrations of glyphosate contamination have penetrated the soil and entered our water supplies. As the chemicals seep into the earth, they can eventually make their way into water sources, contaminating our water supplies.  Once glyphosate has contaminated a water source, it becomes stable and does not degrade or dissipate.

Health Effects of Glyphosate

The health effects of glyphosate are still controversial.  Scientific studies and research show mixed findings, making the health concerns related to glyphosate a hotly debated topic.  The greatest concern, and the one that has been in the news recently is the link between glyphosate and cancer.

Supporters of this herbicide say that research has not proven any danger and glyphosate contamination does not pose a significant health risk. However, in 2015, after reviewing years of scientific studies, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that glyphosate is very likely to be carcinogenic to humans.

Other research has shown that there may be a link between glyphosate and endocrine disorders. It may also contribute to liver disease, reproductive problems, and birth defects. Today there are over 2,400 lawsuits underway regarding health issues related to glyphosate.

Testing for Glyphosate

Glyphosate may be found in public water systems as well as private water sources such as personal and community wells.  No matter where your water comes from, if you want to be certain that you are not drinking this dangerous herbicide, you need to test your water.

Regular home water testing kits do not typically test for this potential carcinogen.  There are some test strips on the market that do test for glyphosate.  However, they may not be reliable as they generally only detect extremely high levels of glyphosate. The best option to test for glyphosate is to send a sample to a certified lab for precision analysis.

Make sure that the lab you choose uses a validated or verified liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) test.  This is one of the most reliable methods to test water for the presence of glyphosate.

EPA Limits for Glyphosate

The EPA has set an allowable, enforceable limit for glyphosate in drinking water.  The maximum contaminant level (MCL) is 0.7 mg/L or 700 ppb. Based on the scientific data that is currently available the EPA has determined that levels below this do not pose potential health problems.

Removing Glyphosate from Water

If you are concerned about exposure to glyphosate from your water, there are measures you can take to reduce your risks.  The best way to remove glyphosate from water is to filter your drinking water. There are a number of filtration systems that are capable of removing pesticide particles. Some purification options include carbon filtration, sand filters, nanofiltration, ozonation, and reverse osmosis.  All can help to reduce or eliminate traces of glyphosate that may be in your water.

Water Quality

Glyphosate is only one of the many water contaminants that can put your health in danger.  While testing for glyphosate is best done in a lab, there are home testing kits that you can use to test for some of the other common contaminants.  TestAssured carries both single tests and testing kits that will show you exactly what is in your water.  Don’t take chances with your health; test your water to reduce your exposure to harmful contaminants.

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PFAS contaminants are a group of manufactured chemicals, known as “forever chemicals,” that are a part of the perfluoroalkyl family.  The most common PFAS that people are exposed to are Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), which can have negative effects on your health.

These chemicals gained increasing popularity after their introduction to consumer products in the 1940s.  They have many benefits that have improved household products over the years. These include properties such as the ability to repel a variety of substances, like water, stains, oils, and fire.  PFAS are used in non-stick cookware, water repellent fabrics, stain guards, polishes, paints, and electrical insulation.  PFAS can also be found in medical products such as surgical gowns and drapes because of their ability to repel bacteria and prevent infection.

Health Effects of PFAS

Studies have shown that over the years, PFAS have leached into our environment, but the research is still being conducted to determine how they affect humans. The individual PFAS compounds must be tested to determine their health effects.   However, initial studies show that at high doses, there are health issues that are related to long term exposure to certain PFAS compounds.

Because of their resistant properties, PFAS can build up in the human body. Over a lifetime, scientists believe that this can cause liver disease and kidney and testicular cancer as well as immunity deficiencies.  PFAS can also cause developmental defects in growing fetuses if the mothers are exposed to high levels.  As a result, the EPA has issued a health advisory for PFAS recommending that the level of PFAS in water be kept under 70 parts per trillion (ppt).

Because of these health concerns, certain PFAS chemicals are no longer used in the United States.  Thanks to the PFOA Stewardship Program, a number of chemical manufacturers have agreed to no longer use PFAS in their products and factories.

How Do PFAS Get Into Water?

The most common way for PFAS to enter the water is through industrial waste.  For example, bodies of water located near manufacturing plants that use PFAS are at high risk for contamination.  There have also been recent news reports about water sources that experienced contamination due to their proximity to oil refineries and airfields where fire-fighting foams are heavily used.

Even bottled water is not safe from PFAS. PFAS do not easily break down, and once they enter the water, they can linger for an extended period of time. Bottled water that comes from a source contaminated with PFAS is likely to contain PFAS depending on the extent of purification the water undergoes.  The International Bottled Water Association (a bottled water trade association) has now established limits much lower than the EPAs.  Its member companies must not exceed 5 ppt for one PFA and no more than 10 ppt for more than one PFA.

Best and Worst States

The environmental working group tested 44 sites in 31 states to determine what states ranked best and worst for PFA limits.  Washington state was the state with the lowest levels of PFAS, 0.7 ppt.  At 118.2 ppt, North Carolina had the highest contamination levels.  One of the trends that was highlighted in the test results was that the highest concentrations of PFAS were most often found in major metropolitan areas, such as Miami, Philadelphia, and New Orleans.

Testing Water for PFAS Contaminants

The EPA has developed and supports three tests for testing water levels of PFAS contaminants.  The tests are referred to as Method 533, Method 537, and Method 537.1. These tests can identify 29 different PFAS.  There are other tests available, but they may not have been specifically designed to test drinking water like the EPA tests.  If you would like to test the drinking water in your home, office, or school, the EPA recommends contacting your state to find out if there is a state certified laboratory that can test for PFAS.

If you do find out that your drinking water contains high levels of PFAS chemicals, it is possible to remove this contaminant with a variety of traditional water purification methods.  Activated carbon made from wood, lignite, and coal can be used to absorb the chemicals.  Another alternative is an ion exchange treatment that uses charged ion exchange resins that act as magnets to attract and hold the PFAS contaminants. There are also high-pressure membranes such as those in reverse osmosis systems that are particularly effective for removing PFAS.

Water Quality Counts

If you are concerned about contaminants in your water, TestAssured offers a variety of testing kits that can help ensure the water you are drinking is safe. Poor quality water can contain anything from bacteria to pesticides and high chlorine levels that can impact your health.  Testing your water is easy and convenient with a home or a laboratory testing kit.

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What Are PFAS Contaminants?

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What Are PFAS Contaminants?

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Can Coronavirus Survive in Water?

Preliminary research shows that the COVID-19 coronavirus can survive in water for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  However, it has not been found in quantities large enough to cause infections in humans. Viruses need to be present in certain amounts to cause illness.  If the COVID-19 coronavirus infiltrates a water supply, the water would dilute it to concentrations too low to cause a risk. This means that it is safe to continue drinking water, showering, and swimming.

Coronavirus in Drinking Water

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  has reported that the COVID-19 coronavirus has not been found in any drinking water supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also released a statement informing the public that there is a very low risk of becoming infected through our water supplies.  Both organizations believe that it is safe for people to continue drinking and using tap and bottled water as they normally would.

Impact of Quarantines on Drinking Water

Although there is a minimal risk of catching COVID-19 from drinking a glass of water or going for a swim, there is another side effect of the virus that could impact the quality and safety of our drinking water.  Because of the quarantines, many businesses have been shut down for months. When an office or shop is not being used, typically, there is no water flushing through the plumbing.  This can cause unsafe water conditions.

Because the pipes don’t have a regular flow of water passing through, stagnant water sits in the plumbing and storage tanks.  Although the water may have been disinfected at the source, those chemicals tend to dissipate into the atmosphere over time, which can lead to the growth of potentially harmful microbes and bacteria.  These organisms can continue to multiply depending on the type of water system, how long the building was closed, and the size of the building.

Now that stay at home quarantines are starting to come to an end, businesses that are reopening should be concerned about the quality of their water.  Although utility companies are responsible for delivering safe drinking water, business owners are responsible for the quality of the water that is coming out of their taps to ensure that it does not pose any health risks.

How Do I Know My Water Is Safe?

It’s hard enough to get a test to see if you have the COVID-19 coronavirus, never mind trying to test your water for the virus.  Based on the reports from the CDC and the EPA, there is very little risk to our water supplies. The greater concern is the potential for contaminated water at businesses that have been shuttered for the past few months.

If your business had to close, one of the best ways to protect your employees and patrons is to test the water before the building reopens.  Testing can be as simple as a do-it-yourself kit or as detailed as laboratory analysis.

Do-it-yourself test kits typically use test strips that are dipped into a water sample.  The test strips use chemical reagents to quickly show the presence of contaminants. Test strips are an easy, safe, and economical way to test the quality of your water. Simply follow the instructions and then compare the developed test strip to the color-coded chart to determine the levels of heavy metal in your water.

If you are looking for more precise results, you may want to use a laboratory water test kit.  Typically, these kits include everything you need to gather water samples and send them to a certified lab for testing.  All you need to do is fill the supplied vials with your water samples according to the testing instructions and then mail the samples to the lab.  Once the lab receives your water samples, they will perform tests specifically engineered to identify the presence of contaminants.

Whether you decide to perform your water tests yourself or have your water analyzed by a certified lab, TestAssured can help you ensure that your water is safe.  Our at-home test kit is an affordable option for quick results. While our lab test kits may take a little longer for your results, you’ll know exactly what in your water with our certified lab’s analysis.  All of our test kits are neatly packaged with clear instructions and will provide you with important details about your water quality.

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What Are Chloride Ions?

Chloride is one of the elements of sodium chloride, which is more commonly known as table salt or rock salt. When these salts dissolve in water, the ions separate. Chloride ions in your water may be a result of industrial waste that was not disposed of properly.  Irrigation drainage can contain detergents, soaps, and other cleaning products that contain chloride. As these chemicals seep into the soil, the ions separate and work their way into water sources.

If you live in a coastal area, sometimes the seawater can contribute to the salty flavor of the water.  In these areas, if the demands for water are too great, there is the potential for saltwater from the ocean to enter the aquifer and contaminate the water source.

Not only do chloride ions, add an unpleasant salty taste to the water, but they can also create additional problems.  The chloride ions are prone to corroding pipes and discoloring stainless steel sinks and taps.

The EPA considers chloride secondary contaminant because it does not pose a health threat.  The maximum contaminant level for chloride is 250 mg/L for chloride, which would prevent most aesthetic effects.

What Are Sulfates?

Sulfates are the salts that are created when sulfuric acid reacts with other chemicals. Sulfates are commonly used in household personal care and cleaning products like shampoos and detergents to create lather.

The most common sulfates could be responsible for creating a salty flavor in your water are magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate. These sulfates are naturally found in the soil and rocks. As rainwater and groundwater seep through the soil, it picks up the sulfates and carries them into the local water source.

Manmade sulfates can also find their way into water supplies.  In the winter, sulfates from road salt runoff may be picked up by melting snow and rain and carried to reservoirs. Sulfates can also be introduced into water sources during the breakdown of shale, sulfide ores, and other industrial wastes.

While sulfates are not known to cause serious health concerns, they can have a laxative effect if found in high levels in your drinking water.  Diarrhea can be caused when sulfate levels rise above 500 mg/L. The EPA considers sulfates a secondary contaminant and have set the allowable level at 250 mg/L to prevent unpleasant taste effects and laxative.

Fixing Salty Tasting Water

While salty flavored water doesn’t necessarily cause and serious health concerns, it certainly isn’t refreshing.  One of the easiest ways to combat salty flavored water is to invest in a water filtration system.  If you are concerned about the effect salty water is having on your plumbing and water-using appliances, you may want to invest in a whole-house water filtration solution.  If you are only concerned about your drinking water, a simple faucet-mounted filter or pitcher filtration system can easily improve the taste.  Another option is a reverse osmosis system, which will remove most contaminants from your water, including the chloride ions and sulfates that are causing the bad taste.

Another consideration when trying to fix salty-tasting water is water softeners. If you use a sodium-based water softener to combat hard water, your system could be damaged or malfunctioning.  Sometimes its as simple as adjusting the settings to reduce the amount of salt released into your water.  Another alternative is to switch to a switch to a salt-free softening system that removes hard water particles without the use of salts.

Test Your Water

Chloride ions and sulfates are just two of the 300 plus known contaminants that can be found in water supplies across the U.S.  TestAssured makes a variety of tests to make your home water testing process easy. Testing your water is the best way to determine the cause of a bad taste so that you can go back to enjoying a refreshing glass of water.

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With so many bottled waters to choose from, how do you know which water is the best water?  We decided to test the 25 trendiest waters on store shelves. We tested everything from still water, mineral water, pH-balanced water, caffeinated water, and hydrogen infused water. While we cannot substantiate any of the health claims advertised, we did test the composition of the different waters to help provide some points of differentiation among all of the bottled waters out there today.

Our Tests

The test kits and meters we used to compare bottled waters were from TestAssured and are available online.  We tested samples from twenty-five different bottled water brands purchased at different grocery stores.  The temperature should not impact the tests, but all samples tested were at room temperature.

Chlorine, Copper, Nitrates, and Nitrites

The first set of tests were for common water contaminants. This included chlorine, copper, nitrates, and nitrites.

Chlorine can safely be added to water as a disinfectant. At levels higher than 4 parts per million, there is potential for negative health effects. Home dialysis users should test their water for chlorine.  Chlorinated water can also be dangerous to fish, aquatic animals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Copper can leach into water supplies through rocks, soil, and copper piping.  Copper in drinking water should be at a level below 1,300 parts per billion.  High levels of copper can cause gastrointestinal issues and have been associated with liver damage and kidney disease.  About half of our samples tested positive for trace amounts of copper, but none had levels that were cause for concern.

Nitrates and nitrites are found in soil fertilizers and can sometimes contaminate drinking supplies.  Shallow and poorly constructed wells are highly susceptible.  The EPA recommends nitrate levels under 10 parts per million and nitrite levels under 1 part per million for safe drinking water.  Higher levels can cause developmental issues, blood disorders, and possibly cancer.

Alkalinity, pH, Hardness, and Iron

The next set of tests revealed more about the quality of the water. These provided much more interesting results.  Here we tested for alkalinity, pH, hardness, and iron.

Alkalinity refers to the ability of water to neutralize acid.  The alkalinity of a water source is impacted by the surrounding soil and bedrock. High levels of alkaline can disrupt the body’s pH which can cause gastrointestinal issues, confusion, and muscle tremors.

The measure of pH in water is associated with corrosion levels.  Water with a low pH is acidic and can leach metal ions from the environment, leading to high levels of toxic metals.  Increased pH levels can indicate hard water which causes scaling and damage to plumbing and property.

Hard water usually contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium that can lead to an unpleasant taste.  Hard water has no known health effects, but it can cause a mineral buildup in your pipes and water-using appliances.

Iron is naturally found in the soil where it is absorbed by rainwater and aquifers.  If your water is cloudy or has a reddish-brown tint, it could contain above normal levels of iron.  High levels of iron can cause an unpleasant taste and leave unsightly stains and deposits on fixtures and appliances.

TDS Testing

The final testing we did was for total dissolved solids, using a TDS meter.  The amount of total dissolved solids is a measurement of the weight of all solids that are dissolved in the water.  These solids can include minerals, salts, metals, cations, or anions.  Since dissolved ionized solids can increase the conductivity of a solution, the TDS meter works by measuring the conductivity of the solution.  The conductivity reading is converted into an estimate of the TDS which is an indication of water quality.  A high TDS reading doesn’t necessarily mean that water quality is poor, as it also reflects the amount of minerals and salts that are present in the water.  These are found naturally in some waters. They can also be added to purified water to improve the taste.

Bottled Waters Test Results

None of the bottled water we tested was positive for nitrates or nitrites, which is good news because they can cause serious health issues.  We also did not find any iron in any of our samples.  We did have one sample, Essence, that tested positive for a small amount of chlorine, 0.5 ppm, which was probably used in the decontamination process to purify the water.  The results for these tests were not surprising since bottled water companies often take extra measures to ensure the quality and purity of their water.

We saw the most variations in results for the alkalinity, hardness, and pH tests since these are areas where manufacturers often manipulate their waters for marketing purposes or to enhance the flavor.  The spring waters tended to have higher levels of alkalinity and hardness.  Evian, Flow, and Gerolsteiner had the highest alkalinity at 180 ppm. pH varied among the different brands but most had a pH level between 7-8.  The waters with the highest pH were Essence and SmartWater Alkaline, with a pH of 9.

Almost all of our samples tested positive for TDS and this is where we saw the broadest range of any of our tests. As manufacturers add minerals and electrolytes to their waters, this typically causes a higher TDS reading.  HFACTOR and Penta water had a TDS reading of zero, while Gerolsteiner had more than double of any other brand at 894.

365 Spring Water

• Source: Roxane Springs, Salem, SC
• Ingredients: spring water
• Features: bottled at the source, doubly filtered
• Taste: sweet and light

Avitae

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: purified water, natural caffeine, natural flavors
• Features: as much caffeine as a cup of coffee
• Taste: bitter

blk.

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: purified water, fulvic trace minerals
• Features: a blend of fulvic trace minerals, hydration, and electrolytes and an alkaline pH 8.0+ water beverage
• Taste: neutral, gritty

BODYARMOR

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: reverse osmosis water, bicarbonate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride
• Features: pH of 8+, a proprietary sports electrolyte formula, and wide-mouth bottle for faster hydration
• Taste: hint of saltiness, smooth

Core Hydration

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: reverse osmosis water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate
• Features: ultra-purified with a natural pH balance of 7.4 and a special combination of electrolytes and minerals to help you stay hydrated
• Taste: sweet, a little fruity

Essence

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: not listed
• Features: purified water with a pH 10+, contains the daily recommended allowance of calcium, magnesium, and zinc acetate organic hibiscus for added nutrition
• Taste: very smooth, neutral flavor

Eternal

• Source: Smokey Mountains, TN
• Ingredients: spring water
• Features: naturally alkaline, natural electrolytes, natural pH 7.8-8.2
• Taste: light, slightly salty and sweet flavors

Evian

• Source: French Alps
• Ingredients: natural spring water
• Features: natural electrolytes, 7.2 pH balance, carbon-neutral, natural source of electrolytes and minerals
• Taste: slightly tart, smooth

Fiji

• Source: Yaqara, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
• Ingredients: natural artisan water
• Features: naturally occurring electrolytes, signature soft, smooth mouthfeel
• Taste: neutral, smooth

Flow

• Source: Canadian Aquifer
• Ingredients: Natural spring water
• Features: 100% naturally alkaline spring water with naturally occurring electrolytes, essential minerals and a pH of 8.1
• Taste: slightly sweet, light

Function: WATER

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: vapor distilled water, electrolytes
• Features: vapor distilled water to remove impurities with added electrolytes for hydration
• Taste: unnatural chemical taste

Gerolsteiner

• Source: Gerolstein, Germany
• Ingredients: mineral water, natural carbon dioxide
• Features: high mineral content water with natural carbonation added
• Taste: fizzy, tart, minerally

HFACTOR

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: purified water, molecular hydrogen gas
• Features: pure water and pure hydrogen to increase athletic performance, reduce inflammation, and deliver powerful antioxidants
• Taste: slightly sweet, smooth mouthfeel

ICELANDIC

• Source: Olfus Spring, Iceland
• Ingredients: natural spring water
• Features: pH 8.4
• Taste: clean, smooth

PATHWATER

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: purified water
• Features: recyclable aluminum bottle
• Taste: neutral, smooth

Penta

• Source: natural aquifer
• Ingredients: ultra-purified water
• Features: undergoes a 13-step purification process to extract all impurities
• Taste: light, sweet

PROUD SOURCE

• Source: Mackay Mountains, Custer County, ID
• Ingredients: spring water
• Features: alkaline water with electrolytes and minerals in a BPA-free, recyclable, aluminum can, pH 8.5
• Taste: neutral

RE²AL

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: purified water, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide
• Features: alkaline water infused with negative ions, ph 8.0
• Taste: very smooth and neutral

SmartWater Alkaline

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: vapor distilled water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate
• Features: 9+pH, vapor distilled for purity, electrolytes for taste
• Taste: smooth, neutral, no aftertaste

SmartWater Antioxidant

• Source: unknown
• Ingredients: vapor distilled water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, sodium selenate
• Features: added selenium for antioxidants, purely balanced pH, vapor distilled for purity, electrolytes for taste
• Taste: a little salty with a slight metallic aftertaste

SOURCE

• Source: Llanllyr, Wales
• Ingredients: spring water
• Features: naturally pure and balanced spring water from a carbon-neutral and ethical company
• Taste: crisp, clean, neutral

Topo-Chico

• Source: Monterrey, Mexico
• Ingredients: mineral water, carbon dioxide
• Features: carbonated mineral water
• Taste: slight citrusy taste

Voss

• Source: Norway
• Ingredients: artisan water
• Features: artisan water naturally filtered and protected from pollutants
• Taste: slightly sweet, smooth

Waiakea

• Source: Hawaii
• Ingredients: Hawaiian volcanic water
• Features: filtered through porous volcanic rock, naturally alkaline deep well water with natural electrolytes and minerals
• Taste: light, slightly floral taste

Zephyrhills

• Source: Crystal Springs, FL
• Ingredients: spring water
• Features: 100% natural spring water
• Taste: slightly tart, crisp

The Best and the Worst Bottled Waters

So, which water was the best and which was the worst? That’s hard to say because it depends on what you are looking for in your water.

Among the two sparkling waters we tested, we preferred the taste of Topo Chico over Gerolsteiner.

If you are looking for water that truly stands out, blk. was certainly unique and although the taste was ok, drinking black water was just weird.

We really liked that Pathwater and Proud Source came in aluminum cans and encouraged people to reuse those cans.

RE²AL seemed like it had a lot of hype, but we weren’t really sure what the benefits were.

HFACTOR also had a lot of hype and did claim to be clinically proven to help reduce inflammation, but you needed to drink it within 30 minutes of opening.

Avaite offered an interesting twist on water with added caffeine.  They have a number of different offerings, each with varying levels of caffeine.  The problem with this one was the taste.  The bottle we tested said unflavored, but it did list natural flavors in the ingredients which we assume were used to help mask the bitterness of the caffeine.  Unfortunately, it was still very bitter and left a bad aftertaste.

Among the spring waters, Evian is always a winner if you like a slight minerally taste.  Fiji and Waiakea are good choices if you like a little sweeter taste.

What it comes down to is that the best water is the water that keeps you coming back for more.  Hydration is an important part of good health, so whatever water you choose, and there are plenty to choose from, pick the one that will help you reach your hydration goals.

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When you think of cities with the worst tap water, there is no doubt that Flint, Michigan comes to mind for most people.  The publicity that came with the Flint water crisis brought to light issues for other municipal water companies.  No longer can people take for granted the quality of water that is coming out of their taps.

Hidden Contaminants

One of the reasons that it is important to test your water is that many of the dangerous contaminants are hard to detect.  Occasionally an off-smell or a strange color may cause you to question the quality of your water, but most contaminants are colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

Long before the Flint water crisis, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had been collecting information about violations related to water quality in the U.S.  The problem was that no one had ever analyzed the data until recently.

The data collected covered 17,900 community water systems and spanned a period of  34 years. It contained violations for lead levels, coliform bacteria, arsenic, nitrates, and other contaminants. Analysis of the data revealed that during the Flint water crisis of 2015, almost 21 million Americans, 6% of the population, were getting water from public sources that violated health standards.

Protecting Water Quality

In 1972, the government passed the Clean Water Act and then, in 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act.  These laws were implemented to help regulate public water systems and provide clean water.  The acts give the EPA the power to set minimum standards for safe water and require public water companies to ensure that their water falls within these standards. While these laws serve to set standards for safe drinking water, recent news headlines prove that isn’t always the case.

The EPA has a weighted point system for tracking violations of its standards for contaminants and treatment. This system measures the number of violation points a public water system has per 1,000 residents served in each state. A majority of the public drinking water suppliers get a passing grade from both federal and state regulatory agencies. However, many of the regulated contaminants that are detected through standard testing are found at levels that may be legal but are above levels shown by scientific studies to pose health risks.

Worst Cities for Public Water

While rural areas are often in the news for contaminated water, major cities also struggled to enforce safe standards and upgrade aging pipes. Here are some of the cities with the worst tap water in the US, according to Business Insider.

What’s in Your Water

Even if your city didn’t make the list, there are many other cities struggling to replace aging pipes and enforce healthy water quality standards.  If you want to know what’s in your water, the best thing you can do is test it regularly.  Understanding and knowing which contaminants to test for is the first step to making sure your family’s drinking water is safe. TestAssured sells a variety of economic testing kits that let you test your water at home with instant results.  For more precise results, you can use our mail-in laboratory test kits for a detailed analysis of exactly what is in your water.

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In the early 1930s, researchers noticed that people living in communities with naturally high levels of fluoride in the water had fewer cavities.  Studies showed that fluoridated water was not only safe but beneficial. Community water facilities began adding fluoride to their water in an effort to prevent cavities.  According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky is the healthiest state with 99.9% of its population receiving fluoridated water.  Hawaii is the least healthy state with only 11.7% of its residents receiving fluoridated water.  Within the entire United States, 74.4% of the population has access to fluoridated water from a public water company.

Benefits of Fluoride

The main benefit of adding fluoride to water is to improve dental health.  In growing children, fluoride helps to build up the strength of their developing permanent teeth.  In adults, supplemental fluoride supports tooth enamel which promotes healthy teeth.  For both children and adults, this means fewer cavities and fillings, reduced need for tooth extraction, and less pain from dental issues.  In turn, people with healthier teeth miss less school and less work due to dental pain.

Can You Get Too Much Fluoride?

While fluoride does have proven benefits, too much fluoride can have some negative effects.  When exposed to excessive exposure, people can develop fluorosis, a condition that causes damage to the bones, joints, and teeth. Researchers have done studies that show that children who ingest high amounts of fluoride can develop spots and discoloration on both their baby teeth and their adult teeth that are still below the gumline.

In order to help prevent fluorosis, the EPA regulates the allowable limit for fluoride that can be present in drinking water.  The maximum contaminant level (MCL) is set at 4.0 mg/L or 4.0 ppm. If a public water system exceeds the fluoride MCL of 4 mg/L, the company must notify its customers.  The notification should happen within 30 days of discovering the violation.

How Much Fluoride Is in My Water?

If you have water from a public water company, there are many resources that can you can access to help determine how much fluoride is in your water.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website called, “My Water’s Fluoride.”  On this site, you can filter down by state and then county to find the name of your water company.  It will show you the water source and whether or not the water is fluoridated along with an explanation.  If the water is fluoridated, you will see the amount of fluoride concentration.

Here is a quick reference by state that shows the number of people who have access to fluoridated water from a public water source.

2018 Water Fluoridation By State

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/water_fluoridation/state/ALL?edition-year=2018

Testing Your Water for Fluoride

Almost all water contains some level of fluoride, whether natural or supplemental.  If you have well water, it is important to know the fluoride content of your water. This is especially true if you have children. It is recommended that private well owners test their water regularly for a variety of contaminants, including fluoride. If fluoride is found to be above the recommended levels, there are treatment options available.

Even if you have municipal water, the levels provided by the water company are only for water tested at the source.  If you want to know what the fluoride levels are for the water coming out of your tap, you will need to test your water.

You can quickly and easily test your water with an at-home test kit or a laboratory test kit.  An at-home test kit allows you to test your water for the presence of fluoride. However, the results are not as precise as laboratory testing.  With the TestAssured Fluoride Test Kit, you collect a water sample and send it to our certified laboratory for testing. Simply collect your water sample in the sterilized vials provided in the kit and return them to the lab in the postage-paid return package to get a detailed analysis of the fluoride levels in your water.

Treating Water for Excess Fluoride

It is important to make sure that you are not ingesting excess fluoride.  If you find out that your water has too much fluoride, there are simple steps you can take.  The best way to reduce the amount of fluoride in your water is to invest in a distillation or reverse osmosis system.  These treatment options are an effective method for reducing fluoride to the recommended levels.

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How Heavy Metals Get in Your Water

Heavy metal contaminants can enter your drinking water from several sources.  Some leach into the water through older pipes and plumbing systems.  They can also enter water sources from industrial processes as they seep through the ground into aquifers.

As we continue to develop land and increase industrialization, the levels of heavy metals in our water are also increasing. Heavy metals are released into the environment from coal-burning plants, waste incinerators, household plumbing, paints, and other chemical substances. These toxic metals are then transported through industrial, municipal, and urban runoff until they ultimately reach our waterways.

Other heavy metals are released into the environment through naturally occurring processes.  For example, arsenic is found in certain geological formations.  Over time the arsenic can dissolve into the groundwater, reaching potentially unsafe levels.

Good Metals Versus Bad Metals

Not all of the elements that are classified as heavy metals are considered to be dangerous.  Only 17 have been identified as potential health threats.  How dangerous a metal is depends on the type, the amount, and how it affects the body.

There are some metals that the body needs for good health, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe).  These metals and others are necessary for vital functions like circulation, reproduction, and respiration. Although there are metals that are essential nutrients for good health, even these metals, at certain amounts, can become toxic to the human body.

Heavy metal toxicity can cause a number of health problems and prolonged illnesses.  Reported effects include nervous system damage, stunted growth, slow development, organ damage, cancer, and in extreme cases, even death. For example, exposure to mercury and lead can cause autoimmune disorders, where the immune system begins to attack its own cells. Eventually, this can lead to rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and circulatory and nervous system failure.

The heavy metals linked most often to human poisoning are lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Other heavy metals, including copper, zinc, and chromium, are actually required by the body in small amounts, but can also be toxic in larger doses. The EPA has set limits on the amounts of heavy metals that are permissible in drinking water.

Who Is at Risk?

Young children are more prone to become ill from exposure to heavy metals.  This is because they consume more water for their body weight than adults, so toxicity can happen much quicker.  Babies and children are at risk because their developing organs and systems are more sensitive and can easily be damaged.  Exposure at a young age can cause learning disabilities, memory problems, behavioral problems, and hyperactivity. In extreme cases, heavy metals have been reported to cause irreversible brain damage.

Testing for Heavy Metals

Whether you have tap water or municipal water, it may contain trace amounts of heavy metals.  It is important to know if there are heavy metals in your water because these contaminants can pose a serious health threat.  It is recommended that you test your water for heavy metals frequently, especially if you have older metal pipes or live in an industrial area.

There are a number of tests available that will show you if your water contains these potentially dangerous contaminants.  Depending on your needs, you can choose from an at-home test kit or a mail-away laboratory test kit.

At-Home Testing

At-home test kits typically use test strips that are dipped into a water sample, allowing you to test your water at home, school, or the office.  The test strips use chemical reagents to show the presence of heavy metals. When free metal ions from heavy metals are present, they react with the reagent causing the strip to change color. The more metal ions that are present, the darker the color change on the strip.

Test strips are an easy, safe, and economical way to test for the presence of heavy metals in your water. Simply follow the instructions and then compare the developed test strip to the color-coded chart to determine the levels of heavy metal in your water.

Laboratory Testing

While at-home water test kits are a quick and affordable way to assess your water quality, you can get more precise results if you opt for a laboratory water test kit.  Typically, these kits include everything you need to gather water samples and send them to a certified lab for testing.  All you need to do is fill the supplied vials with your water samples according to the testing instructions and then mail the samples to the lab.  Once the lab receives your water samples, they will perform tests specifically engineered to identify the presence of heavy metals.

Know What Heavy Metals Are in Your Water

The presence of heavy metal contaminants in your water is hard to detect because they are colorless, odorless and tasteless.  The best way to know what is in your water is to test it.  Whether you decide to perform your water tests yourself or have your water analyzed by a certified lab, TestAssured can help you keep your family safe from heavy metals.  Our at-home test kit is an affordable option for quick results. While our lab test kits may take a little longer for your results, you’ll know exactly what is in your water with our certified lab’s analysis.  All of our test kits are neatly packaged with clear instructions and will provide you with important details about your water quality.

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Whether you have public water, or your drinking water comes from a private well, both water sources can become contaminated with these harmful bacteria.  Even filtered water and bottled water may not always be safe.

How Does Bacteria Get in Our Water?

Human and animal wastes are the most common cause of bacteria in water. Runoff can carry feces from farms and leaking septic tanks to water sources and wells.  Bacterial contamination can become even worse after a flood as floodwaters provide an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, older water systems can degrade, and aging pipes can become vulnerable to dangerous pathogens.

Common Bacteria in Water

Legionella and E. Coli are two common bacterial strains that can thrive in water under a wide range of temperatures and conditions.  These bacteria most often develop in the portion of the water distribution system from the water meter to the tap in homes and buildings. They can easily contaminate water supplies and go undetected unless specific tests are performed. If you suspect that your water may be contaminated with either of these harmful bacteria, use bottled water or boil your water for before using.

Legionella

Legionella is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, lung infections, respiratory issues, and pneumonia.  This bacterial disease is a public health concern with a fatality rate ranging between 5% to 30% for those who become infected.  Symptoms of legionella infection include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.  Legionella can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder presentation of Legionnaire’s disease with similar symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 8,000 to 18,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with Legionnaires’ Disease.

E. Coli

E. Coli is a type of coliform bacteria that is found in feces and can sometimes enter drinking water supplies. If you drink water contaminated with E. Coli, it can cause intestinal tract infections, serious illness, and even death. Particularly vulnerable to E. Coli infections are newborns, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

The presence of E. Coli in water is concerning because it can be an indication of additional contamination.  Other more harmful microbes that are commonly found in the presence of E. Coli include norovirus, Cryptosporidium, Shigella, and Giardia.

Testing for Legionella and E. Coli

Bacterial contamination is not easily detected. Water that is contaminated with bacteria can look, taste, and smell the same as safe water.  The best way to protect yourself from Legionella and E. Coli contaminated water is to test your water.

Public water suppliers are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test for bacteria and treat contaminated water.  However, if you have well water, there is no testing requirement.  Homeowners with wells should test their water approximately every three months.

TestAssured offers a convenient laboratory Legionella and Coliform Test Kit.  The kit comes with everything you need to send a live water sample to a certified lab for testing. Our laboratory water analysis can determine whether either of these bacteria exist in your water supply. This testing kit includes detailed instructions, sterile sample bottles, cold packs, and a postage-paid return shipping package.

Water Treatment Options

If your water does test positive for either Legionella or E. Coli, there are some steps you can take to disinfect your water.  The simplest treatment is to bring your water to a rolling boil for at least five to ten minutes to kill disease-causing bacteria. Chlorine is another option that can be used to disinfect water.  Public water utilities routinely use chlorine to kill microorganisms.  At home, you can safely add 6 to 8 drops of bleach to a gallon of water to kill bacteria. One of the best long-term solutions would be to install a reverse osmosis water filtration system to effectively remove bacteria from water.

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