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I hate to break it to all those bottled water drinkers out there, but your bottled water is just as contaminated as your tap water. It’s full of microplastics and hormone disruptors that are leaching from the plastic its been sitting in.

If you are trying to ditch toxins out of your home, one of the first places you should look is your drinking water. Tap water toxins run wild all across the country. This is how you find out if there are toxins in your tap water.

IN THIS EPISODE, I’LL DIVE INTO:

• What toxins could be in your tap water
• How to find out in less than 10 seconds what’s in yours.
• What is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and what isn’t.
• How toxins end up in our water systems
• What kinds of filters work best depending on what you found in your water.
• The difference between a carbon filter, gravity filter and Reverse Osmosis.

What’s In Your Water?

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are over 300 contaminants in tap water across 45 states. Nearly 2/3 of those contaminants are completely unregulated.

Go to the EWG Tap Water Database and type in your zip code to find all the contaminants in your local drinking water system. You’re probably looking at a legit list of toxins with limits significantly higher than the set public health goals.

Our drinking water is supposed to be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but that doesn’t mean they’re doing a very good job.

The Safe Drinking Water Act established in 1974 required the EPA to set limits on toxins, viruses, and bacteria in our drinking water. From 1986 to 1996, the EPA did set limits for 89 different toxins. But that was a long time ago and we have a lot more data now on how these chemicals impact our health. The legal limits set in the 1980s could still be causing you harm.

In 1986, Congress required the EPA to analyze and regulate these chemicals regularly. That all changed in 1996.

The water utility companies complained that they couldn’t keep up with filtration requirements and every changing rules. They lobbied Congress and won.

The Safe Drinking Water Act was amended and now leaves it up to the EPA to decide when and if it will set new limits. In the 30 years since the Act was amended, only one new contaminant has been regulated under the law.

Meanwhile, over 30,000 new untested toxins have come to the market.

My Water FILTER RECOMMENDATIONS

In my home, we have a Pure Effect Whole House filtration system with an added Fleck Water Softener. Under my kitchen sink you will find a Pure Effect Ultra and behind my Fridge, you’ll find a Clearly Filtered Inline Filter for my ice.

If you don’t want to install anything under your sink, I recommend either a countertop Rorra Gravity Filter (keep in mind that this will not remove fluoride) or an AquaTru unit.

Looking for a pitcher that actually filters out the toxins? You can’t go wrong with a Clearly Filtered Pitcher.

Filter Your Drinking Water

It’s so so so important for your general health to filter your drinking water. Ditch the plastic water bottles and instead, invest in a filtration system for your home. You’ll save money in the long run and make a better choice for your health.

Not sure where to find safe, clean, non-toxic products?

RESOURCES:

• Environmental Working Group Tap Water Database
• Download the Tossing the Toxins Roadmap

Related Episodes:

Episode 8: Toxin Free(ish): How to Prioritize What Matters Most

Episode 79: Creating a Toxin-Free Home: Practical Tips for Families Resistant to Change

Episode 96: 4 Effective Hard Water Solutions for a Cleaner, Healthier Routine

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK’S EPISODE, PLEASE:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin-free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free Tossing the Toxins Guide
• Post a screenshot, what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.