Well, this is scary.
A recent report by The New Republic suggests there are more drugs in our drinking water than anybody realized. While researchers knew our nation’s water supply contained small doses of various drugs, most figured the doses were too small to harm us. Now, it appears that narrative is changing.
An excerpt from the story, published December 11, 2013:
“Doctors prescribe hydrocodone for pain. They recommend ranitidine for acid reflux, a diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide for congestive heart failure. But you don’t need a prescription to get these drugs in tiny doses. They’re found already in our nation’s water supply — and, according to an upcoming national study, the largest done so far, in higher amounts than drug companies anticipated.”
It’s still unclear what effect, if any, these drugs have on human health. Hopefully the upcoming study will have more to offer on that research. But for now, some people are justifiably reluctant to drink tap water. If you fall into that category, here are 4 ways to create your own pure water:
1) Let it burn: Boiling is the most effective way to remove potential bacteria from your water. Just fill up a pot, throw it on the stove and turn up the heat until the water bubbles. If possible, pour the water into a container and stick it in the refrigerator until it’s cool. If not, just wait for the water to cool down naturally.
2) Iodine: Visit your local sporting goods store and look for iodine purification drops or tablets. Drop the recommended dose into your water and drink away. While iodine doesn’t taste great, it eliminates bacteria. Warning: iodine isn’t for everyone, especially women who are pregnant and over 50. Read the label and consult with your doctor to make sure iodine is safe for you.
3) Water filter: Connect a water filter to your faucet. While filters won’t remove all bacteria from your tap water, they’ll remove most common chemicals such as lead, alachlor and atrazine. This will not only make your water safer, but it will make it taste better, too.
4) Liquid bleach: As you can imagine, this isn’t the best-tasting solution. But in emergencies, adding a ¼ teaspoon of bleach to every gallon of water helps. After adding beach, mix thoroughly and let the water stand for at least an hour before drinking. Note: Avoid bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives.