Which Water?

Water on Tap.

Mom was right: drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day is a great idea. What she might not have told you, however, is that while the amount of water intake is important, the quality of the water we drink also plays a major factor in the degree of health we experience. Even in mom or grandma’s day drinking water was never absolutely pure. The lake our ancestors used as water source inevitably contained bits of leaves, animal waste and other natural material. Today, however, a glass of water containing only decaying vegetation looks pretty good. Governmental agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency regulate and set maximum levels for six contaminant categories—microbiological (primarily bacterial, viral and protozoan), inorganic (largely trace minerals), organic (fumigants, industrial solvents, manufacturing by-products), pesticides, herbicides and radionuclides (elements, both natural and manmade, that emit radiation)—that in turn encompass approximately 90 specific contaminants. Though most public water treatment facilities in North America follow guidelines based on EPA levels, research indicates many contaminants, including cancer-producing by-products of the treatment process itself, are present in treated water. The EPA designates maximum levels and describes health effects for each contaminant. Potential problems include lung, stomach and nervous system disorders, malignant tumors, irritation to respiratory and circulation systems and most frequently—cancer. Though governmental standards consider small doses of many contaminants to be safe, there is much disagreement. Some environmental experts consider allowable limits for suspected toxic or cancer-causing pollutants too high. There is also concern about the little explored realm of contaminants’ synergistic effect or possibly ‘greater when combined’ action on our bodies. For many, tap water is no longer the drink of the day.

Spring or Mineral?

Sometimes it seems the only easy decision about water is to stop drinking the liquid coming from the tap. The next step is to choose between purchasing spring or natural mineral water or using home produced or delivered steam distilled or otherwise purified water. Spring and mineral water must originate from an underground source which is not part of a community water supply. Mineral water generally has a higher inorganic mineral count (parts per million--ppm—of Total Dissolved Solids—TDS) than spring water. While neither can be treated to alter the original chemical composition of the water, they can be carbonated, fluoridated or disinfected with ozone. Bottled waters other than mineral or spring water can be from any source but must be fit for human consumption.

Distilled or Reverse Osmosis?

Research seems to indicate that the inorganic minerals found in spring and mineral waters cannot be absorbed into the living tissues of the body and can in fact interfere with some of water’s many vital roles; they are also implicated in diseases such as hardening of the arteries, rheumatoid arthritis and senility. It is therefore important to avoid water high in trace minerals. Conversely, because small amounts of inorganic minerals in water are necessary for the body’s electrical transmissions and to maintain proper pH levels, it is important to minimize intake of water absent of TDS—distilled. Besides concern with the lack of inorganic minerals, many authorities express concern with distilled water’s ability to ‘leach’ minerals and other health-promoting substances from the body and with its acidifying effect. Distillation also removes any contaminants that vaporize at boiling but without post-distillation filters, the contaminants that vaporize at lower temperatures can re-condense and end up in greater concentration than in the pre-treated water. Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane and according to experts such as Dr. Zoltan Rona MD, MSc, “Water filtered through reverse osmosis tends to be neutral and is acceptable for regular use provided minerals are supplemented.” The best water, therefore, may be one with reduced contaminants but with TDS levels of about 5-7 ppm. With the many and varied contaminants now found in water, one single treatment process will not produce healthy water. For example, carbon (granular activated carbon or carbon block) is an excellent treatment for many organic contaminants and helps maintain a slightly alkaline, pH but it is not a disinfectant and if not regularly changed or regenerated or used in conjunction with a bacteria inhibitor, can produce a higher level of bacterial contamination in the product than in the inflowing water. Ultimately, producing healthy water requires a multifaceted process that provides for safe, effective elimination of all known types of contaminants and results in a clean, slightly alkaline product.

Water. It's your Choice.

Clearly the body has a high need for water; providing it with healthy water means ensuring the removal of a variety of compound while leaving small amounts of certain minerals that help maintain healthy pH levels. When contacting potential water or filtering system suppliers, ask how the process produces clean water. Ensure the system includes methods to remove a large percentage of the pathogenic bacteria, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides and organics (fumigants, industrial solvents, manufacturing by-products) and some, but not all, of the inorganics (largely trace minerals). Avoid processes that include water softening to remove all inorganic minerals such as calcium and magnesium as many experts, including Dr. Rona, believe, “the ideal water for the human body should be slightly alkaline and this requires the presence of minerals like calcium and magnesium.” Rather, look for a purification system that includes a charcoal filter (one of the best available technologies for removing organic compounds, chlorine, bad tastes and odors) and ensure that filters are properly maintained and are specially formulated with a self-sterilizing agent (i.e. silver) or include ozonation to prevent bacterial growth. Clean, slightly alkaline water; it really does have something for every body!

© Brenda Wollenberg 2003