One thing I’ve always appreciated about restaurants in North America is the culture of offering free water to their customers. But unfortunately, it’s usually unfiltered tap water that is served, which is contaminated with a host of chemicals.
Coincidentally, while I was visiting the US recently, I received an email from the EWG (i.e. Environmental Working Group, a US non-profit organization that informs people on product safety), showing that many tap waters contain hexavalent chromium; the cancer-causing chemical made notorious by the 2000 film “Erin Brokovich” starring Julia Roberts.
So out of curiosity, I went onto their database to see the safety of the water in our area and it turned out that it exceeded several of the EWG’s guidelines for contaminants!
Again, I love that restaurants in the US offer free tap water instead of plastic water bottles, but the reality is, it’s not any safer for our bodies.
So what can you do?
Ask for filtered water, natural spring water in glass bottles or bring your own filtered water from home in a glass or stainless-steel reusable bottle. Be sure to take into consideration the water restaurants use for ice, tea and coffee too.
At home, purchase a filter – and don’t forget about your shower filter!
Some brands of countertop filters that I often recommend include:
- Berkey: a stainless steel option that removes a large majority of contaminants and retains minerals (also get their separate fluoride filter)
- AquaTru: a reverse osmosis system that removes everything including minerals (must remineralize water after filtration)
- Clearly Filtered: they sell a pitcher and on-the-go water bottle that includes a filter – ideal for travel solutions!
The EWG in the US has a great tap water database to check the contaminants in your water by zip code. You can find that here: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/
If you’re not in the US, call your local municipality and ask them for their public reports on treated water for contaminants.
And if you want to learn more, consider joining the B Better membership. You’ll get access to the Beginner’s Health Roadmap which includes an entire pillar on hydration and choosing the best water filter to suit your needs.
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