Experts distrust the tap, but prefer it to bottles

By Ariel Wittenberg | 11/6/20 | E&E News

There could be lead in your tap water. There could be PFAS in your bottled water. Microplastics might be in both. Do you choose neurotoxic heavy metals or carcinogenic "forever chemicals"?

That's the predicament facing Americans every time they take a drink of water.

"You know what, I don't trust our water systems — tap or bottled," says Bruce Lanphear, a scientist whose research underpins EPA regulations on lead and mercury. "It is really hard for any of us to know or trust that our water is free of contaminants, even if we say we have more confidence in some sources for some contaminants."

Part of the problem for consumers trying to decide which risks to take is that water is regulated by different federal agencies depending on whether it comes out of a tap or bottle, but the standards aren't always in sync. Read more >>