Is your tap water safe enough to drink? Here’s how to find out

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Tap or bottled water? That’s the age-old question.

Before you even consider answering that though, you should ask yourself if your tap water is even safe to drink.

According to the CDC, the United States’ water supply is considered one of the safest in the world, but many Americans drink water that doesn’t meet the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Contaminated drinking water has been linked to a number of health problems, according to Healthline.

For one, the consumption of lead can lead to neurological and developmental problems, especially in children.

Perchlorate, another chemical often found in tap water, can lead to issues with hormones in the thyroid gland.

Finally, arsenic has been linked to cancer of the skin, bladder and kidneys.

Thankfully, there is a way to check the cleanliness of your tap water.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit specializing in agriculture, created a website where you can easily check your home’s water safety.

If you find your water has contaminants, EWG suggests installing a water filter to remove the chemicals, but different contaminants require different treatments, so be sure to read up on what exactly has been found in your water supply.

We all have the right to clean water, so invest in bottled water if necessary — and remember to recycle those bottles!

If you enjoyed this story, you might also like reading about which foods have been linked to chronic illnesses.

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