Is filtration enough?Some people are uneasy about drinking tap water, particularly when they move to a new area and find the water tastes different to them. The “flavor” of water depends on the geology and mineralogy of the area where the water comes from. It doesn’t seem like it to us, but from a scientific standpoint, water is "sticky". When it flows over rocks and through soil, it picks up trace amounts of chemicals, vitamins and minerals. This may sound dangerous until you remember that everything you eat and drink contains chemicals, vitamins, and minerals—it’s not a problem unless the specific substance is a harmful one. The United States has strict regulations on tap water, determining what must be filtered out and at what concentrations substances pose a threat. In fact, tap water is much more tightly regulated than bottled water, despite bottled water being advertised as more pure.
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Is my water safe?Though your tap water is likely to be perfectly safe to drink, you have a right to know what you’re drinking. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) runs the potable water program, which investigates potential contamination and aids in solving any issues. The Department of Public Health has a portion of their website dedicated to drinking water, including information on reservoirs in Connecticut and schedules for water quality monitoring.
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For more inforamtion on water filtration (and water in general), check out The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman.