Toxins in Tap Water: Why It’s a Health Emergency & How to Protect Yourself Now

Around 70% of Americans rely on municipal tap water for their drinking water, cooking, cleaning, and making their morning pot of coffee. After all, it’s convenient and tested for safety, right? 

Unfortunately, the little-known reality of the situation is far more worrisome than that. The truth is that even treated tap water often contains a surprising mix of hidden toxins that could be silently contributing to a wide range of health issues, from hormone disruption and immune issues to risks of cognitive decline and even cancer.

In this article, we’ll uncover the unexpected dangers lurking in your tap water, from microplastics and forever chemicals to heavy metals. 

We’ll also walk you through practical steps you can take today to make your water safer for you and your loved ones. So, let’s dive into the murky truth about your tap water.

Where Does Tap Water Come From?

In the U.S. and many other places, tap water comes from one of two main sources: surface water (like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) and groundwater (which comes from wells deep underground).

However, local water authorities don’t just scoop up water from a lake or a well and send it flowing through your tap. First, it goes through a series of treatment steps to make it “safe” to drink.

Here’s a breakdown of the basic process:

• Coagulation and Flocculation: To start, treatment centers add specific chemicals to the water that help tiny particles clump together. These particles stick together to form larger clumps (called “flocs”), which are easier to filter out.

• Sedimentation: The water then sits in a big tank, allowing those clumps to sink to the bottom. This helps separate the clear water on top from the heavier particles below.

• Filtration: The clearer water is then passed through layers of sand, gravel, and other materials. This step catches smaller particles that didn’t get filtered out before.

• Disinfection: Finally, disinfectants like chlorine are added to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses, making the water safe from immediate threats.

Now, here’s the kicker — while these steps do help filter out harmful stuff like bacteria, dirt, and visible particles, there’s still a wide range of hidden toxins they don’t catch. 

Why Is American Tap Water Full Of Toxins?

You see, under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, municipal water treatment facilities are only required to test for 94 specific contaminants, even though there are now upwards of 84,000 commercially used chemicals in everyday products that could end up in our water.

In other words, while tap water is treated to meet basic safety standards, those standards haven’t been adjusted in nearly 50 years and, therefore, don’t account for even a small fraction of all the possible toxins that are likely present.

That’s why it’s crucial to understand what’s really in your water — and, more importantly, what you can do to make it safer.

What Toxins Are in Tap Water?

Tap water can contain various contaminants that are either not fully removed or introduced during the treatment process itself. 

Here are some of the most concerning toxins commonly found in tap water:

Microplastics

So far, there are around seven billion products made of plastic in existence, many of which are “single-use,” meaning they’re used once and thrown away. 

These discarded items often end up in our water systems and oceans, and over time, they break down into tiny particles that mix into our water.

Ideally, municipal water systems would be able to filter out these microparticles, however, that’s not often the case. Many facilities aren’t required to test for specific chemicals, like BPA, so those particles can still make their way into your tap water — and eventually into your body if you drink tap water. 

Recent studies show that microplastics are adding up to create a gigantic health risk. Microplastics have been found in human livers, kidneys, and brains. 

In fact, brain tissue contains around 20 times more plastic than other organs. Even more concerningly, the brains of people who suffer from dementia contain significantly more plastic than the brains of healthy people.

PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

 PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a relatively “new” class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals commonly used in things like non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. 

These man-made chemicals are shockingly resistant to breaking down, meaning they accumulate in our water and in our bodies over time. 

Studies show PFAS exposure is linked to a multitude of health problems, including cancer, increased cholesterol levels, hormonal disruptions, immune system damage, liver issues, and even fertility issues. 

And because passing new water regulations takes so much time, it could be decades before the government is required to test municipal water for PFAS. After all, we’re still working off federal guidelines from 1974 today. 

While governments are only beginning to address the widespread contamination, PFAS chemicals continue to seep into our water supplies.

Chlorine and Its Byproducts

Today, water treatment facilities across the country add chlorine to tap water to kill bacteria and other germs that could potentially make us sick. 

However, when chlorine mixes with natural substances that are already in the water — like leaves, soil, and other organic matter — it can create harmful byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).

These chemicals stick around in the water even after it’s been treated, and studies have linked them to a higher risk of cancer, especially bladder cancer.

What’s more, municipal water systems aren’t required to test for the full range of these byproducts, which means these toxic byproducts could be floating around your tap water right now.

Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic)

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic are incredibly toxic, even at low levels, and they often find their way into our water systems through old pipes, industrial runoff, and agricultural pollution. 

What’s scary about these metals is that they’re neurotoxins, meaning they can harm the brain, nervous system, and even your vital organs.

Lead, for instance, is particularly dangerous for young children, as it can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues.

Mercury is known to impact the nervous system, potentially leading to cognitive and motor impairment.

Even arsenic is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

In other words, these heavy metals are bad news. Now, while municipal water treatment facilities are required to filter out these heavy metals to make your tap water safe to drink, a recent study conducted by the non-profit organization Consumer Reports found detectable amounts of arsenic and lead in tap water across the U.S.

This could mean that water treatment facilities aren’t testing thoroughly enough for heavy metals — leaving you exposed to potential health risks every time you drink a glass of tap water. 

Pharmaceutical Residues

With so many people using medications these days, drugs like antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, and antidepressants are ending up in our water systems. 

This happens when people flush unused medications down the toilet or even through human waste.

Naturally, you’d expect municipal water systems to filter out these pharmaceutical residues — however these systems don’t test for pharmaceuticals, so these chemicals end up in your tap water — and eventually in your body. 

And even though these drugs are present in very small amounts, research shows that low-level, ongoing exposure can lead to issues like hormone disruption and other health risks. 

Flouride 

Fluoride is a chemical added to many municipal water supplies to prevent tooth decay. While fluoride still a very controversial topic at large, some recent studies and health experts have raised concerns about the potential long-term health risks of consuming fluoride in tap water.

For example, emerging research links high fluoride levels in drinking water to potential neurodevelopmental issues.

Studies suggest that excessive fluoride exposure may impair cognitive development in young children, potentially lowering IQ levels and affecting concentration and memory. This is especially concerning when fluoride levels are not closely monitored, and communities may be exposed to higher-than-safe concentrations.

Fluoride has also been shown to impact thyroid health by interfering with iodine uptake, which is essential for thyroid hormone production. 

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to fatigue, weight gain, depression, and a host of other health challenges. For adults, compromised thyroid health can trigger a cascade of hormonal imbalances affecting energy, metabolism, and mood.

What’s In Your Tap Water?

Not sure if your tap water is safe to drink? Third-party databases like the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database can help. 

These organizations test tap water by zip code and can provide you with a better understanding of the exact contaminants that are present in your tap water. 

And fortunately, once you’ve identified which toxins you need to remove, filtration isn’t as difficult as it might seem. In fact, with the right water filtration system, anyone can purify their tap water right at home. Here’s how:

How to Make Your Tap Water Safer to Drink

Given the potential health risks, many health experts now suggest that at-home filtration is one of the most important ways you can proactively protect your health. Thankfully, there are a lot of great water filtration options available today.

The best systems are NSF-certified, meaning they meet strict standards for effectively filtering out toxins.

Here’s a look at different types of water filtration systems:

Types of Water Filtration Systems

Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are one of the most common types of water filters.

They work by using activated carbon to attract and hold onto chemicals, especially chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants, improving the water’s taste and odor. 

They’re simple to use and often found in pitchers and faucet attachments. While this filtration system is generally the most accessible in regards to price point, carbon filters are not as effective at removing heavy metals, salts, nitrates, or bacteria as some other methods. 

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

While any type of filtration is typically better than none, reverse osmosis (RO) systems are frequently highlighted as the most effective solution. 

Reverse osmosis systems are renowned for their ability to remove up to 99% of contaminants found in tap water. This is achieved through a filtration process that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, trapping impurities in the process. These systems typically have 3 to 5 stages, including pre- and post-filters, that remove larger particles and chlorine before the water reaches the RO membrane.

While generally considered the most effective type of filter, RO systems are typically more expensive as well. They are usually installed under the sink and require regular maintenance, which can require professional installation as well. 

Distillation

Distillation purifies water by heating it to a boil, turning it into steam, and then condensing that steam back into liquid form. 

This process removes most impurities, including minerals, heavy metals, and some bacteria. However, it can be slow and energy-inefficient, making it best for occasional use rather than everyday drinking water.

UV Light Systems

UV (ultraviolet) light systems use powerful UV rays to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water. 

They’re particularly useful for making water microbiologically safe, however, it doesn’t remove chemicals or heavy metals, so they’re often paired with other filtration methods for complete protection.

Each of these systems has its strengths, and choosing the right one depends on what you’re looking to filter out.

Again, for the most protection from a wide range of contaminants in water, most experts now recommend reverse osmosis. 

Highly Recommended: AquaTru Water Filters

If you are in the market for a convenient and highly effective way to filter out contaminants, we have done the research, and you would be very hard-pressed to find a better option than AquaTru.AquaTru offers you both countertop and under-the-sink reverse osmosis options.

And AquaTru NSF-certified filters utilize best-in-class multi-stage reverse osmosis technology to actively remove 84 different contaminants from your water — including “forever chemicals,” microplastics, fluoride, chlorine, lead, arsenic, pesticides & herbicides, and much more. 

This ENSURES safe drinking water for you and your family! 

The AquaTru Reverse Osmosis filter also takes things a step further than regular systems by pushing water through a special membrane that catches even the tiniest impurities. This gives you fresh, pure water without that dreaded chemical taste. 

And, again, whether you choose the under-the-sink or the tabletop options that don’t require professional installation, AquaTru makes clean, safe drinking water far more affordable than other RO filters out there. 

Click here now to learn more about AquaTru’s reverse osmosis filters – and to order your preferred model with the special discounts offered through this link today if you are interested. Whatever you choose, it is important to take action on this, as removing toxins from your tap water may be the single most impactful thing you can do for your health today.