Would you get a drink from the kitchen sink if you were thirsty and in the kitchen? Many people can recall the days before bottled water became popular and when water filtration systems hadn’t yet become commonplace in homes and businesses when people would simply drink straight from the tap or the garden hose. Now that there are options, it’s common to wonder if you can drink water out of the kitchen sink. Is it safe?

The majority of adults can safely drink from the sink tap in many places, despite the fact that some cities’ water contains trace amounts of pollutants. The easiest way to replenish and completely hydrate your body is still with tap water.

Common Contaminants Exist In Sink Water

You might also wonder if drinking sink water will have any negative effects. Depending on what’s in your water and how your body responds. The EPA divides each water contaminant into two categories: chemical and microbial. 

Arsenic, copper, and lead are a few examples of chemical contaminants that are measured in water systems. Microbial contaminants also take into account the frequently present bacteria and viruses. Here are some of the most common contaminants that can be found in sink water along with the potential health risks they pose. Obtaining a water quality report can be useful in understanding the quality of your drinking water.

Side Effects Of Copper And Lead Exposure

Many times, outdated plumbing and water fixtures are to blame for the presence of copper and/or lead in drinking water. While traveling to your faucet, water picks up these substances. Both copper and lead have been shown by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have harmful effects on your digestive system. In addition, prolonged exposure to high lead levels can cause kidney and brain damage, as well as headaches, stomachaches, and other side effects. Because of this, it’s critical to regularly check your drinking water supply and to have a water treatment strategy in place.

Side Effects Of Arsenic Exposure

Groundwater contains an organic substance called arsenic. Usually, it’s not present in concentrations that are dangerous to human health. Arsenic in drinking water is restricted to a low limit of 01 parts per million by the EPA. The concentration may be higher in some areas, particularly those with significant industrial or agricultural operations. An excessive amount of arsenic in the body can cause diarrhea, drowsiness, and headaches in addition to chronic illness. For this reason, we encourage people to utilize the water machine filter that is housed in our bottle-less water dispensers.

Compliance With Groundwater Coliform Levels

The EPA has established monthly maximum coliform levels that must not exceed 5% of the samples collected each month. Public water systems must adhere to these levels. If a percentage higher than 5% is discovered, both the public and the state must be informed. 

Fecal coliforms or E. coli must also be examined in routine and repeat sample testing because they directly endanger the health of anyone who consumes them. You run a higher risk of having bacteria in your water if you reside in a heavily agricultural area. The healthiest option might not be to drink directly from the faucet. 

The main contaminants that can be found in your tap water include just a few of these. Additionally, a wide range of other pollutants is listed, along with pesticides, chemicals, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, depending on where you live, some sink water might have an odd taste or odor that makes it unpleasant to drink. While drinking sink water may not technically be bad by EPA standards, it is also not always good.

How To Judge If Sink Water Is Contaminated?

How do you determine if your sink water is actually contaminated now that you have a partial understanding of what might be present in it? You can first use your senses to find any issues. As an illustration, cloudy tap water could be a sign of dangerous pathogens or chemicals. No matter if it is hot water or cold water, it is wise to check your water supply. Brown or yellow-tinged water is never a good visual indicator. It might be the result of chemical leakage from your water pipes or groundwater runoff from nearby farms or manufacturing facilities. 

The water’s flavor and smell should also be taken into account. It smells like rotten eggs and has a metallic taste. This frequently indicates that the water contains significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide or heavy metals, which make it unpleasant to drink. Finally, think about how the water feels on your hands while you’re washing them at the sink or while you’re taking a shower. Your skin and hair may become dry. It might be a sign that the water contains more lead or aluminum than usual. 

If you’re unsure about the safety levels of your water, in addition to relying on your senses, get in touch with your county health department to have it checked or have it tested by a state-certified laboratory. There may be higher limits and more exposure to specific pollutants and contaminants depending on how your water appears, smells, and tastes. 

Your location should also be taken into account because it could make your tap water more prone to contamination. For instance, if you live close to agricultural facilities, your water may contain pesticides and nitrates that are used to shield crops from animal waste and bacteria. Or, if you spot minute flakes or particles in the water, it might be a sign of corrosion, which is typical in older houses or cities with out-of-date water pipes. 

Over the years, headlines have been made about the risks to residents caused by contaminated drinking water. Due to the PG&E Hinkley, California, and Dupont, West Virginia, water contamination cases, it became widely known. These are just two of many communities across the nation that have or do have tap water that cannot be consumed. 

The best way to ensure you’re drinking clean, safe water is to filter your tap water using advanced technology to get rid of most of the dangerous contaminants. The question isn’t necessarily can you drink sink water, it’s should you?

Is It Safe To Drink Water Out Of The Kitchen Sink?

While you can drink water straight from the sink, you shouldn’t do so in the bathroom to reduce the chance of getting sick.

Why consume water straight from your sink when you can purchase bottled water that is clean? You can be certain that you are drinking clean water when you buy bottled water, at least.

Yes, clean water is distributed in the US. But you shouldn’t start drinking from the sink because of that. You need to be concerned about the pipes that transport water to every home in the US. What level of assurance do you have that these pipes are spotless? How confident are you that they are uncontaminated?

You must make this decision for yourself because it is a private matter. Isn’t it preferable to spend a small sum on bottled water as opposed to a large sum of money on hospital bills to treat illnesses brought on by contaminated water?

Let it not be the bathroom sink, even if you want to drink from it. The bathroom sink is off-limits for drinking, but the kitchen sink and other sinks in the building are fine.

Additionally, avoid developing a bad habit. Make it a one-time event. For your safety, avoid making a habit of drinking from the sink, especially if you are not accustomed to drinking contaminated water or to doing so.

The Effects Of Drinking Sink Water

If you drink the water from a clean sink, nothing will occur. However, drinking contaminated sink water exposes you to a variety of water-borne illnesses like cholera, dysentery, etc.

Additionally, if the water system’s chlorine level is low, people may come into contact with the parasite giardia, which causes cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

Additionally, excessive chlorine in drinking water is bad, and the best way to tell if your water is excessively chlorine-free is to smell it. Do not consume this sink water, please.

Other Water Sources Besides Sink Water

There are some alternatives you can use if you belong to a high-risk group or reside in a city where the water quality has been harmed.

1. Boiling

However, it also depends on the type of contamination you need to remove from the water. Boiling tap water can be sufficient in some cases. High temperatures can quickly kill germs, but they won’t be able to remove lead, nitrates, or pesticides as effectively.

Since boiling reduces the volume of the water while maintaining the same level of pollution, it has been observed that the concentration of these contaminants increases.

Boiling water kills germs but leaves heavy chemicals and other contaminants behind. Once the water has been boiled, it must be filtered using a variety of techniques to guarantee that it is safe to drink. As the cooling process will cause the contaminants to settle at the bottom of the water, letting the water cool before bottling it is also advised.

2. Bottled Water

When you suspect that your tap water has been contaminated, this is a great temporary fix. The only brand you should choose, though, is one whose quality has been confirmed.

There must always be a way to identify the water source for bottled water because it is typically regulated as food. Additionally, the levels of contaminants are controlled, and the boiling and bottling of water are always done in accordance with strict manufacturing standards.

When you decide to invest in bottled water, you must pick a brand you can trust because it is known to cost several times more than tap water. It would be beneficial if you were also considering the long-term harm that a habit of drinking bottled water will do to the environment.

Approximately 75% of bottles typically end up in landfills, oceans, and lakes where they cannot decompose, in addition to the enormous amounts of fuel and energy used in their production.

It is much preferable to purchase a refillable bottle if your tap water supply is not in any danger. By doing this, you will prevent yourself from amassing a significant number of bottles in or around your environment, which would lower the quality of life for you and the numerous other people who reside nearby.

By purchasing these types of bottles instead of a refillable ones, you will also be doing the environment a great favor. Furthermore, you’ll spend less overall on bottled water and can save money by not having to refill it as often.

3. Filters

These are yet another respectable substitute for tap water and offer better water quality and safety. You can use a variety of filters to clean your water and make sure it’s free of impurities. It is well known that certain impurities pose health risks and cause other problems. Filters come in four main categories:

•  Activated carbon: This can clean the water of particular organic impurities. Additionally, it takes in microscopic molecules and impurity particles, leaving you with pure water that is safe to drink.
•  Ion exchange units: These are devices that can remove calcium and magnesium and other minerals from water. These substances make water hard, and when it is treated with ion exchange units, the water is made soft, clean, and safe for consumption. Ion exchange systems are employed to purify water and guarantee safe drinking because soft water is also readily available and beneficial for your health.
•  Reverse osmosis devices: These are practical water purification systems that are capable of much more than just removing impurities from drinking water. They can get rid of nitrated, pesticides with sodium, and even petrochemicals. The filters are effective at removing the more dangerous impurities from the water, leaving you with clean water that is safe to drink and better for you.
•  Units for Distillation: For a long time, the most popular method of water purification was to boil it. Heavy salts and other elements can be removed from the water by boiling it and condensing the steam. Since all significant impurities are removed during the purification process, distilled water is the most expensive type of bottled water.

Boiling is also necessary for disinfecting the water and killing any types of organisms that may be present. This process also removes any heavy salts from the water, making it safer, cleaner, and even softer on your body’s internal organs.

When purchasing a filter, always look for one that can eliminate the particular contaminant you are most concerned about. Additionally, search for filters that have been approved by reputable state or local health and safety organizations. In addition, remember to maintain your filter and make sure you do so in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

A point-of-use filter that is installed on the kitchen sink will also make the water much safer for you to drink. You will have clean, usable water after using this filter because it will make sure that all contaminants are removed before they reach your sink.

Water Safety Levels

Some cities are taking action to protect their water source from contamination and to keep it clean. Other cities, however, are still extremely susceptible to pollution from factories and other sources.

The quality of the water being delivered to your home and the existence of a factory operating close to your local reservoir should both be confirmed with your local authorities. You will be able to tell if the water in your sink is clean or contaminated with the help of this information.

In many cities, it is well known that the manufacturing sector is the main cause of water contamination. They typically dump a large portion of the waste they generate during the manufacturing process into sizable bodies of water. The municipal council and other local authorities make no effort to address the situation.

You can learn more about the laws and rules governing where factories can and cannot dump their waste by doing some research, especially in your city. Additionally, you’ll be in a position to learn what steps your city takes to guarantee that it only obtains its water from clean, untainted sources. Since water is your city’s lifeline, it should also come from trustworthy sources that do not quickly run dry or deplete during the summer.

The water in your sink is not safe for consumption if your city gets its water from sources that are vulnerable to contamination. Therefore, it is imperative that you take action to make sure that you are not consuming this water in the same way that it is piped into your home. You can ensure that the water you are drinking is safe and has been purified of all contaminants by treating it before use or filtering it, among other methods.

Final Thoughts

Drinkable sink water needs to be sufficiently clear, tasteless, and odorless.  In particular, for those that are in African nations without access to clean water, you should make every effort to avoid touching sink water. You should not develop the habit of drinking sink water, even if your country provides clean water; instead, you can always buy bottled water. A minimum of to be safe.