Is tap water safe to drink?

Experts say drinking tap water can be OK in most places—here's how to tell

Updated February 21, 2023

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Climate change is affecting everything from weather patterns to the quality of the water we drink at home.

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), rising sea levels are causing saltwater to flow into the groundwater. Groundwater, along with surface water that flows from lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs, are the sources for tap water, so higher salinity levels could make the water too salty to drink.

And this would be a big problem.

In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to regulate the public drinking water supply and protect the health and well-being of Americans. The act and its subsequent amendments designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the regulator of the standards for the United States’ public water supply.

The EPA has a three-step method for setting standards for drinking water. First, the organization identifies contaminants found in water and at what levels those contaminants put public health at risk. It notes which contaminants will require further study and which need to be regulated. Currently, there are 90 contaminants regulated by the EPA.

Next, the EPA sets a maximum contamination level goal (MCLG) for the contaminants it will be regulating, aiming to keep contamination levels below their determined risk thresholds, which are decided within a margin of safety. Lastly, the organization sets a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for known contaminants in the public water system and enforces these standards using the most effective and economical technology and treatments available.

The EPA requires each region's water supplier to deliver an annual Consumer Confidence Report that identifies the source and quality of your community's drinking water. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have affirmed that drinking water in the U.S. is among the safest in the world.

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While we understand the existing skepticism surrounding drinking tap water, plastic water bottles contribute to a large part of the ocean's pollution.

If you’re still hesitant about a tap-based water intake, you might be tempted to invest in pallets of plastic water bottles on sale at your local big-box retailer. But consider this: According to a report by Greenpeace, the U.S. recycles between 5% and 6% of plastics, with the rest ending up in landfills or worse, the ocean.

Filtering your tap water at home is a much better option. A whole-house water treatment and purification system will cost $2,050 on average, according to Home Advisor.

But you can get started for far less money by using a simpler point-of-use filtration system, like a faucet filter or water pitcher with a carbon filter, like those made from Brita and PUR.

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In the wake of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, when high levels of lead were found in the public drinking water source, Brita and Pur faucet filters were distributed. When installed and maintained correctly — which includes replacing when necessary — the filters were successful in removing lead from contaminated water.

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Filtered water pitchers make it easier to keep cold, refreshing water on hand, rather than taking up room in your refrigerator with individual bottles.

Riggs Eckelberry, founder and CEO of OriginClear, a company dedicated to the creation of clean water systems for businesses and communities, notes that aside from all the additional plastic waste, there is the risk of chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) that can leach into the water if the bottles get hot, like when they are left out in the sun or in your car overnight.

Purchasing a natural spring water dispenser for your home with larger, refillable bottles may seem like a better idea, but Eckelberry warns that the energy required to purify the water, recycle the bottles, and ship them to you greatly expands your carbon footprint.

Yelena Wheeler, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) with a master's in public health, says any form of home water filtration is worth the upfront cost.

"Not only is [drinking filtered tap water] better for your health and the environment, it also will save you money in the long run as it reduces constant spending on water bottles." Wheeler notes that the potential savings are "astronomical."In fact, Royal Waterworks, an environmental water services company, estimates the annual cost of filtered water to be between $250 and $300. That's about 50% less than purchasing bottled water.

And, with a 15- to 25-year lifespan on a home water filtration system, the company calculates the cost savings over that same timeframe to be around $7,500.

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If you make it a point to carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day, make it a filtered water bottle.

Brita claims its BB11 premium filtering water bottle can replace 1,800 plastic bottles of water each year. Lifestraw, known for its portable water filter that permits travelers and campers to source clean drinking water from streams and other sources, uses similar technology for in-home filtration.

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Wheeler says, "Water is often sold by the bottle in many places internationally; however, when you are traveling with your filtered water bottle, you not only avoid having to buy these water bottles, you also help reduce your international footprint."

Even if your travels keep you closer to home, such as a bike ride in your own neighborhood, she says, "A water bottle with a filter in place pretty much guarantees clean water everywhere that you venture."

Replace your usual plastic water with an insulated reusable one that will remain cold throughout your day.

We get it. It's easy to reach for a bottle of natural spring water at a gas station or convenience store, especially when you’re thirsty and away from home. As with all healthy habits, forming the habit of drinking tap water is easier when you keep a filtered water pitcher filled at all times. Have reusable water bottles on hand so that they’re ready to fill for hydration on-the-go.

Don't repurpose a plastic water bottle that you buy at the store, though; they’re made from plastics that are good for single-use only.

Whether you use a glass water bottle, a stainless steel water bottle, or a BPA-free plastic water bottle, just be sure to keep them clean.

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Wheeler offers a pro tip: Clean your bottles using apple cider vinegar. Pour some into a bottle, fill up the rest with water, and give it a shake. Then, let it sit overnight. The next day, Wheeler rinses it out and then refills it with water and a drop or two of lavender oil to rid the bottle of any lingering odor from the apple cider vinegar.

"The vinegar does wonders to get out any mold that might be festering in small parts of the water bottle," she explains.

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There are many types of water that you can and can not drink. Here are a few of them.

As we’ve established, yes, this is safe to drink.

Yes, this is safe to drink as long as the water is not heated in the bottle, but it contributes enormously to plastic waste.

According to the Mayo Clinic, alkaline water does not offer any health benefits over plain water. The idea is that alkaline water adjusts pH levels in the body, but there just isn't enough conclusive evidence.

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Naturally occurring, mineral water gets a boost from minerals like calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and potassium, although amounts of these can vary. We need minerals in our diet, so these waters could have health benefits, but studies that clearly establish this are scarce. You can buy beverage bottles of it imported from Europe, although opt for the glass bottle variety.

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It depends. If you’re drinking spring water that has been purified and/or regulated, drink on. The taste is delicious.

However, be wary of gathering your own from an untreated water source, which could be contaminated with waste or bacteria. Doing so can lead to diseases caused by Giardia and E.coli.

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Sure, you can also drink distilled water, although it won't taste very good since it's been boiled into steam and re-cooled back into a liquid to remove all minerals and impurities.

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