More about drinking water safety
Here is an excerpt from the podcast "Your RV Podcast"
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) undertook a four-year study of bottled water and came up with some interesting findings: Of 1,000 bottles tested, 25 percent were simply bottled tap water. Most of the "tap water" bottles were safe; however, some did have contaminants that could cause problems for folks with weakened immune systems.
Read the label on the bottle. If it says, "From a municipal source" or "From a community water system," then it's probably just tap water. The label will usually indicate if additional treatment has been given the water once it left the city tap. The NRDC suggests if you're concerned about drinking water quality, then buy bottled water from companies that get their water from a known, reliable source.
What about water sold out of vending machines? It's not bottled water, nor is it as regulated as bottled water. Typically — but not necessarily — it comes from a municipal source line, and that has to meet drinking water standards. But the actual machines and their maintenance fall under local law.
Vended water is not considered bottled water and is not regulated as such. The water source for vending machines is typically the local public water supply, which must be in compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Additional treatment may occur to reduce dissolved substances and disinfect the water supply. While the water going into the machine may be potable and clean, don't expect what comes out of the machine to necessarily be in the same state.
One California study revealed that supermarket vending machines had much higher bacterial counts than plain tap water. At that time the local director for water quality told reporters, "You're safer drinking the tap water. Not only are you safer, but you're paying, oh, let's see, about 250 times less per gallon."
Ah, it's almost enough to make you swear off water and turn to something else.
Here is a link to that NRDC study( Idon't know how to make a clicky)
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/bw/exesum.asp
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) undertook a four-year study of bottled water and came up with some interesting findings: Of 1,000 bottles tested, 25 percent were simply bottled tap water. Most of the "tap water" bottles were safe; however, some did have contaminants that could cause problems for folks with weakened immune systems.
Read the label on the bottle. If it says, "From a municipal source" or "From a community water system," then it's probably just tap water. The label will usually indicate if additional treatment has been given the water once it left the city tap. The NRDC suggests if you're concerned about drinking water quality, then buy bottled water from companies that get their water from a known, reliable source.
What about water sold out of vending machines? It's not bottled water, nor is it as regulated as bottled water. Typically — but not necessarily — it comes from a municipal source line, and that has to meet drinking water standards. But the actual machines and their maintenance fall under local law.
Vended water is not considered bottled water and is not regulated as such. The water source for vending machines is typically the local public water supply, which must be in compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Additional treatment may occur to reduce dissolved substances and disinfect the water supply. While the water going into the machine may be potable and clean, don't expect what comes out of the machine to necessarily be in the same state.
One California study revealed that supermarket vending machines had much higher bacterial counts than plain tap water. At that time the local director for water quality told reporters, "You're safer drinking the tap water. Not only are you safer, but you're paying, oh, let's see, about 250 times less per gallon."
Ah, it's almost enough to make you swear off water and turn to something else.
Here is a link to that NRDC study( Idon't know how to make a clicky)
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/bw/exesum.asp
