Tap Water
I got sick in an new way recently after trying soaking, sprouting, and using kefir. Different kinds of intestinal problems. I suspect cryptosporidium parasite, along with other things. But questioning my tap water has lead (no pun intended) me down a road not entirely expected. One thing I learned more explicitly is why to avoid tap water.
I tried boiling my water and found I still don't know how to do that!!! After 2hrs of trying to bring the pot to a boil, I decided on another tack. :-) Not sure what boiling is good for beyond crypto killing, since the other contaminants are still there.
Accourding to the municipal water report, the tap water here has fluoride, chlorine+ammonia (chloramines), radon, exceedance of federal levels of lead, and phthalates (hormone disruptors). And those are the KNOWN contaminants. Cryptosporidium is NOT treated for by the local municipality (I believe treating for it is rare.) and they admit it may be present. The CDC agrees that I shouldn't trust tap water.
From the CDC on steps to avoid crypto infection:
"Because public water quality and treatment vary throughout the United
States, always check with the local health department and water
utility to see if they have issued any special notices about the use
of tap water by immunocompromised persons."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_crypto_prevent\
_ci.htm
"Contaminated water includes water that has not been boiled or
filtered. Several community-wide outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have
been linked to drinking municipal water or recreational water
contaminated with Cryptosporidium."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_cryptosporidio\
sis.htm
From my water district report on the safety of its water:
"Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water
than the general population. ... These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC ...
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from
the EPA ..."
""Contaminant" refers to any substance that may be found in water. As
water travels over the surface or through the ground, it dissolves
naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material.
It can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals
or human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water
(water that hasn't been treated) include biological contaminants, such
as viruses and bacteria; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemicals from industrial or petroleum use; and radioactive materials."
I tried boiling my water and found I still don't know how to do that!!! After 2hrs of trying to bring the pot to a boil, I decided on another tack. :-) Not sure what boiling is good for beyond crypto killing, since the other contaminants are still there.
Accourding to the municipal water report, the tap water here has fluoride, chlorine+ammonia (chloramines), radon, exceedance of federal levels of lead, and phthalates (hormone disruptors). And those are the KNOWN contaminants. Cryptosporidium is NOT treated for by the local municipality (I believe treating for it is rare.) and they admit it may be present. The CDC agrees that I shouldn't trust tap water.
From the CDC on steps to avoid crypto infection:
"Because public water quality and treatment vary throughout the United
States, always check with the local health department and water
utility to see if they have issued any special notices about the use
of tap water by immunocompromised persons."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_crypto_prevent\
_ci.htm
"Contaminated water includes water that has not been boiled or
filtered. Several community-wide outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have
been linked to drinking municipal water or recreational water
contaminated with Cryptosporidium."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_cryptosporidio\
sis.htm
From my water district report on the safety of its water:
"Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water
than the general population. ... These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC ...
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from
the EPA ..."
""Contaminant" refers to any substance that may be found in water. As
water travels over the surface or through the ground, it dissolves
naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material.
It can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals
or human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water
(water that hasn't been treated) include biological contaminants, such
as viruses and bacteria; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemicals from industrial or petroleum use; and radioactive materials."