Is tap water healthy?
Spring water, mineral water and tap water are three options available to Dutch adults. A trend away from drinking tap water is emerging. The RIVM's advice is also different if you have a baby. The advice reads not to use tap water in many areas of the Netherlands to make baby milk. Many people also turn to a cheap water filter jug thinking they are being smart. A water filter jug is bad for your health because of the accumulation of bacteria in the filter.
Our tap water is becoming increasingly difficult for the 10 water utilities our country has to keep clean due to increasing environmental pollution. This is mainly due to concentrations of chemicals from illegal discharges from factories into surface water and the increasing use of pesticides over the past 50 years. Tap water is much cheaper compared to spring water and mineral water. Mineral water from abroad has 15 quality requirements while Dutch spring water has 65. So spring water is better tested for quality. Yet both spring water and mineral water are also not blissful due to the packaging material in the case of plastic and cardboard. Also, the nanoplastics environmental pollution appears to have hit 3 brands of mineral water in America too. It has not yet been investigated globally.
PFAS through illegal discharges factories
The presence of PFAS in surface water from illegal discharges from factories is a worrying problem that can affect the quality of tap water. These chemicals can be harmful to our health, which is why it is important to supply drinking water that meets quality requirements and is purified to minimise contaminants. Both in South Holland, the Chemours company has been in disrepute for years and factories located on the river IJssel are also illegally dumping. This environmental pollution flows into the IJsselmeer from where the North Holland water utility PWN draws 75% from the drinking water to then pump it into the dunes for natural filtration. This sand filtration is not fine enough for PFAS.
Pesticides in drinking water and Parkinson's danger
The risk of pesticides in drinking water and their relationship with increasing the risk of dementia is a subject of concern. Drinking water companies should therefore be alert to the presence of pesticides and then filter them to ensure good quality of our drinking water. It is essential to be aware of the possible effects of these substances on our health and to continue monitoring the quality of our drinking water. 76 of 216 drinking water sources are too polluted with pesticides and as many as 135 of 216 drinking water sources also contain substances that do not belong in drinking water, according to a January 2021 RIVM study.
Doctors warn of Parkinson's from pesticides
Drug residues in tap water study RIVM
A study by RIVM found that medicine residues can also occur in tap water, posing a potential risk to tap water quality. Here, it is important that drinking water companies work to minimise concentrations of medicine residues so that tap water remains safe to drink. Anno 2024, at a single location, 80% of medicine residues are treated while the average is 70%. It may take at least another 10 years for the average to move towards 80% as it involves 1.5 mln Euros per water treatment plant. Do you want to wait a long time for that 80% or do you want 100% of pure drinking water right now with water filter technology from abroad focused on water filtration at the end point - your kitchen tap?
Drug residue research is incomplete
Microplastics in tap water from international studies
International studies have shown that microplastics can be present in tap water, which is a concern for the quality of our drinking water. It is therefore important that water companies take measures to reduce these contaminants so that the water coming out of the tap is clean and safe to drink.
Microplastics in tap water since 2017
Nanoplastics in 3 mineral water brands in America 2023
A worrying development is the presence of nanoplastics in 3 mineral water brands in America, raising questions about the quality of mineral water. Consumers should be aware of possible contaminants in mineral water and make the choice that is best for their health. This study concerns only America the results of 240,000 nanoplastics per litre is shocking.
Nanoplastics in US mineral water from supermarket
French mineral water is being rigged 2024
Over 1/3 of French mineral and spring water products flouted regulations, according to an investigation by Radio France and the daily Le Monde. They applied extra water filtration against pesticides and also uv treatment against bacteria. With spring and mineral water, this is prohibited by European legislation. We do not know whether they will now pump water from even deeper underground sources at higher costs. These are well-known brands.
Tampering with French mineral and spring water
Heavy metals through old water pipes in Amsterdam North district
In some parts of the Netherlands, such as the Amsterdam-North district, old water pipes may contain heavy metals that can affect the quality of tap water. To ensure the quality of tap water, it is important that water pipes are regularly checked and, if necessary, replaced. Do you live in an old house? Check all old water pipes!
Lead in tap water from old water pipes
Asbestos particles through main water pipes leaking
Main water pipes that leak could potentially contain asbestos particles, posing a potential risk to water quality. It is therefore essential that pipes are regularly inspected and maintained so that the water we drink is free of contaminants. There are 35,000 kilometres of old water pipes of 60cm diameter in the Netherlands. Remediation will cost 2 billion. This money is not there and because of this, emergency repairs are mainly carried out. Before then, the damage has already been done. Although the RIVM states that there is no danger to public health, results from foreign research indicate a slightly increased risk of specific cancer types. Some water supply companies have wordlessly started remediation. However, it is weighing far too heavily on the balance sheet.
Asbestos particles through old water pipe network
XTC lab dumps danger to groundwater
The dumping of chemicals by XTC labs poses a serious threat to groundwater quality and hence the environment and public health. The chemicals released during the production of XTC are harmful and can seriously pollute groundwater. This not only poses a direct threat to drinking water quality, but also has negative impacts on plants, animals and the ecosystem as a whole.
XTC labs dump waste into nature
Summary Is tap water healthy?
The listing on this page aims to make readers more aware of the potential health risks, each of which is kept within the 65 Dutch drinking water quality standards set by the 10 water supply companies that make up our country. Due to increasing environmental pollution, they are increasingly struggling - read having to incur more costs - to ensure water quality. You can take matters into your own hands and dream of healthy tap water. The answer to the question: Is tap water healthy? should therefore be considered against the sum of the risks mentioned above.
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