We all know that it is recommended to drink at least eight cups of water a day. As mothers, we work hard to make sure our kids are hydrated.
We add a little juice to their water, get them colorful cups, and lead by example, sipping water ourselves throughout the day.
Giving our kids dangerous water isn’t usually a worry on the forefront of our minds. With recent reports coming to the public eye, it seems it should be.
It is not enough to make sure we are having our children drink the right amount of water, we now have to be concerned with where the water is coming from, and if it is contaminated with toxic chemicals.
If you do need help with getting your kids to drink more water, check out our article, “Keep Your Child Hydrated With These 4 Tips.” (Http://mommyunderground.com/keep-your-child-hydrated-with-these-4-tips/)
Newsweek reported:
“The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just released a new online tool that allows users to check the safety of drinking water where they live. With just a zip code, the database delivers information about the contaminants found in the water utility serving that region. Release of the tool is accompanied by a guidebook and a compelling summary of the state of drinking water in America.”
With this tool, we have access to the truth behind what is being allowed in our drinking water.
The results are shocking. The EWG has found industrial and agricultural contaminants in each glass of water in every state in the nation.
The levels of contaminates found in the water may not be safe for human consumption. It is up for debate in the scientific community on what levels are considered acceptable.
Scientific data on health risks often show levels below federal and state guidelines to be dangerous.
Either way, the amount of unsafe particles in our children’s drinking water is pushing the envelope of criminal.
Newsweek reported:
“To assess the state of drinking water throughout the country, the EWG obtained data from state agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency for testing conducted from 2010 to 2015. A total of 48,172 utilities from all 50 states were included in the study.
The EWG analysis uncovered 267 contaminants out of the 500 tested. The chemicals included 93 that the EWG says are linked to an increased risk of cancer, 78 that have been tied to brain and nervous system damage, 63 associated with developmental harm to children and fetuses, and dozens of others that may be implicated in fertility or hormonal problems.”
It is appalling regulatory guidelines for safe drinking water practices are not followed or enforced.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974, is supposed to ensure our health isn’t being covertly compromised.
The National Resource Defense Council reported:
“An NRDC study has found that contaminants that may harm human health are found in tap water in every state in the nation. NRDC has documented serious problems with our outdated and deteriorating water infrastructure, widespread violations and inadequate enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act for more than 25 years.”
Several of the contaminants in most people’s drinking water in the U.S. are nitrates, lead, copper, radionuclides, arsenic synthetic organic contaminants, and volatile organic contaminants.
Also found was the industrial chemical chromium-6; 1,4-dioxane, an industrial solvent, and by-product of some detergents and shampoos.
This contaminate could be eliminated completely if we were to use chemical-free products on our bodies. Check out our article, “Top 10 Beauty And Hygiene Products You Can Make At Home” to learn how to get started with clean products. (https://mommyunderground.com/top-10-beauty-and-hygiene-products-you-can-make-at-home/)
Newsweek reported:
“According to the EWG, nearly 19,000 public water systems contained lead exceeding 3.8 parts per billion, which is considered risky for formula-fed babies. “
Unfortunately, we know firsthand the dangers of lead in drinking water from the Flint, Michigan fiasco in 2014.
Water that wasn’t treated properly leached lead from aging pipes into the drinking water of Flint residents; resulting in dangerous lead levels in the children who resided there.
Make sure to check the contaminants in your local water supply, using the EWG tool, to be aware of the risks for your family.
And always use a filtration system for any consumption purposes, such as, making formula, drinking, and cooking.
If you find there are dangerous levels of contaminants in your local water supply, hold the utility company accountable for the established standards of safe water practices. Take it to a public forum if you have to.
In the recent wake of Hurricane Harvey and Irma, quality water is a serious concern. During the Hurricanes, sewage was released into the streets and toxic chemicals spilled from flooded industrial plants; causing extreme health risks.
Our prayers and resources should go out to those affected by the devastation. It will be a long journey to replace the damaged water infrastructure in the areas that were hit with the storm.
After which, a tedious series of tests and observations will have to be done by regulatory officials to make sure the water quality has reached safety standards.
Let us know in the comments section if you have been affected by poor water quality, or if you use a water filter that has worked well at eliminating contaminates.