Before government treated water with chemicals to control bacteria, diseases such as Cholera and Typhoid were a real concern. These waters born bacteria have the potential to kill tens of thousands of people under modern distribution systems and so need to be controlled.
The problem is that only around 3% off treated urban water is consumed, with the balance going down the drain from baths, showers, dishwashers & washing machines, plus watering the garden, washing cars, etc. It is governmental responsibility to ensure that the water is “safe” for human consumption. Unfortunately, these chemicals used to achieve the treatment can have long term side effects, with some people suffering complaints which range from increased symptoms of dry skin or skin rashes, migraines, hardening of the arteries (which can lead to strokes, heart attacks, arthritis and joint pain), to increased risk of bowel, bladder
and even liver cancers.
Because the immediate severity of the above health risks is less than the risk of disease from not treating the water, combined with the fact that only 3% of treated water will be consumed, it is totally uneconomic for any government to treat all the water to a high standard. As consumers of the end product, it is up to us to choose whether to remove any residual chemicals at the point of use. (Usually the kitchen sink)
Facts
1. Chlorine is added to the water to kill bacteria & viruses. This is literally a poison!
2. Chlorine reacts with organic material to create a group of chemicals called Trihalomethanes (THM’s)
3. THM’s have been estimated to cause up to 25% of all rectal, bladder and bowel cancers and 25% of all birth defects.
4. Trace levels of another carcinogenic chemical called ‘MX’ have been found in every chlorinated water supply where researchers have looked for it. (Mutagen X (MX), or 3-chloro-4-(Di chloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one, is a byproduct of the disinfection of water by chlorination. MX is produced by reaction of chlorine with natural humic acids.
5. (MX is found in chlorinated drinking water all over the world and is an environmental carcinogen that is known to cause several types of cancer in rats when present in large enough concentrations. It is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a group 2B carcinogen meaning it is "possibly carcinogenic to humans". Although the concentration of MX in drinking water is typically 100- to 1000-fold lower than other common byproducts of water chlorination such as trihalomethanes, MX might play a role in the increased cancer risks that have been associated with the consumption of chlorinated water because of its potency in inducing DNA damage)
6. Alum (Aluminum Sulphate) is added to the water at the treatment plant as a coagulant. Although this is supposed to be removed, some sources believe there could be residual alum left in the water (Alum scientifically is the main reason for Alzheimer's Disease).
Notes to Think About
1. Chlorine is used to kill bacteria. What does it do to our natural bacteria present in our stomach and how does this affect our digestion of nutrients?
2. How does the extra stress of the chemicals in our bodies affect our long-term immune system function?
3. Many areas are still using water distribution pipes which have been used for many years. These may be either an asbestos / cement mix or galvanized iron. Asbestos / cement pipes are gradually being replaced by plastic pipes, but the replacement only occurs as these pipes wear thin and run the risk of bursting. It is common for rust & dirt and/or asbestos fibers to be shed by the distribution pipes.
Finally,
AS Our bodies are approximately 70% water. All our living cells require water to function and communicate with each other. Water is required to lubricate our joints, carry nutrients to our cells & remove our cells waste products. We acknowledge treatment of urban water is necessary but do believe we need to take more care ingesting the final product. Drinking water that contains chemicals only adds to the strain our bodies and immune system have to cope with.