My water is provided through the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Most of the East Bay's water comes from the Mokelumne River watershed in the Sierra Nevada. My water comes from the Pardee, Briones, and San Pablo reservoirs. The Orinda (year-round) and San Pablo (as needed) water treatment plants serve my area. From what I can tell, there were no chemicals detected outside of state and federal limits/goals, which I am pleased with. The chemicals that peaked my interest were the unregulated ones where a typical source is "release of industrial chemicals." These chemicals were Chromium, Molybdenum, Strontium, and Vanadium. Using Haz-Map, I found that the adverse effects related to Chromium include: skin sensitizer, asthma, hepatotoxin, nephrotoxin, reproductive toxin, and human carcinogen. Haz-Map did not have Molybdenum, Strontium, and Vanadium, alone. They only had other chemical compounds with these in them, so I could not find the adverse effects for those three.
I use a BRITA filter for my tap water at home before drinking it. Just yesterday, I went to purchase a filter replacement and learned that they filter out heavy metals like Copper, Mercury, and Cadmium. BRITA also filters out Chlorine and Zinc. I do, also, drink bottled water when I am not at home and did not bring my reusable water bottle with me. After watching the Story of Bottled Water, I am definitely more inclined not to purchase bottled water. I did not realize the extent of the adverse environmental impact, especially with recycled water bottles. There really is no excuse for me to buy bottled water when I have a reusable water bottle and places to fill it at home, school, and work.
Glad to know that you are using Brita water filter as well. I agree with your points about bottled water. On the other hand, I think sometimes buying bottled water is safer and more convenient. For instance, during a long road trip, it is necessary to have enough drinking water. But you're right, despite those exemptions, there are ways how to minimize or avoid bottled water.
ReplyDeleteI love using BRITA filters. I find that my roommate and I are always stocked on these filters. These filters are a great way to save money and being environmentally conscious of reducing our use of plastic water bottles!
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