Is drinking sink water bad for you?

Question

Well, it's the fact that since my dad died in November that our family has been going downhill. Ever since then, we've been having issues with money and food, but then my mom's trying to get a better job than her previous. Anyways, we literally have no packages of water bottles and our Brita water filter needs to be replaced because we're having some issues with it. My mom is trying to use money for stuff like bills and all that, but she's also trying to keep up on food for us. I haven't drank water that much for a couple days, mostly just little sips from the school water fountain. When I had gym today, it was obvious I wasn't drinking water because warm-ups and running were making me easily tired. When I came home, I knew our only water drinking source was our sink because we have no other water source. My mom hopes to buy water bottles and fix our Brita filter soon, so we'll be good, but for now, I filled my water bottle with sink water. I took only about 2 sips from it, but should I stop? Is it bad or not?

Note : Our water comes from a pumphouse, owned by a small town (a town near us... not saying because it's personal info) water company. We live in an area in the country between two small towns about 5-10 miles near us, while the other towns are like farther from those towns. The pumphouse is shared with homes around us, too. We live on a road that makes a circle, but there's an exit from the circular road that leads to roads in two opposite directions.

Answer 1

It's unlikely you will suffer any problems from drinking the sink water, but it depends on the water quality where you live and the plumbing in your house.



I live in an area that suffered a water emergency in 2014. We couldn't even boil the water to drink it because it contained microcystin (toxic to the liver). Since then, I drink bottled water. Most areas don't have this problem though.



Your city or county is probably required by law to provide a water quality report upon request. I can go to city hall and pick one up whenever I like, if I choose to (and I have before)...or it may be available online. Then I could Google each compound/contaminant listed on the printout and see if the level is considered "safe." Because of the prior microcystin emergency, I don't bother looking at local reports anymore...I just buy bottled water.



In all likelihood, drinking your sink's water isn't going to hurt you...but you can always look into it if you choose.



P.S.-- I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my dad in 2014, and we are still grieving...but the emotional pain and the practical problems caused by his death aren't as bad as they were initially...things DO get easier with time. Please try to keep that in mind when you are struggling. <3

Answer 2

Generally sink water is better for you than bottled. Bottled is a huge waste of money and just municipal water from somewhere else in the United States. Municipal water often has fluoride supplementation to keep your teeth healthy which is a great benefit for municipal water. There are a few exceptions - well water has to be tested but it is generally safe. Also some areas their municipal water has higher amounts of lead. There is a lot of information on water safety on this website. There is also a link to see if your water has any warnings or notices. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/drinking-water-faq.html

Answer 3

Depends on where you live and how good the local water filtration system is. It shouldn't be to bad to drink sink water. If need be find a bottle and fill it up at school to take home. You can refill a milk carton as well.

Answer 4

You DO KNOW, don't you, the water that comes out of your school's drinking fountain is the same tap water that comes out of your sink at home? It's fine. And as others have said, bottled water is a waste of money and does nothing but add millions of non-biodegradable plastic bottles into landfills and oceans everywhere.

Answer 5

I would assume if you live in a developed country such as the US, Britain, Russia, etc. That you'll be fine. Even if it is in a small town. Buuuut, if you don't (which I'm sure you do or why else would you be on the internet or have a water filter in your home for that matter) I would suggest boiling it and letting it cool before attempting to drink any. You could boil it in a clean pot even if you live in a developed nation, just to be cautious.( If you really wanted to)

Answer 6

It shouldn't be to bad to drink sink water. If need be find a bottle and fill it up at school to take home. You can refill a milk carton as well.

Answer 7

No! Drinking municipal water is fine! Cities have to do frequent testing to make sure their water is safe to drink.

Fun fact: A lot of bottled water is just tap water. Bottled water companies sell the same water for 1,000 times the price.

Answer 8

You should be fine, in my case water from my sink wouldn't be the best choice because of the amount of iron in it, the taste is very metallic and isn't very good to drink I usually put it through my filtered water bottle, but In your case if you have city water or your water is filtered well and it tastes fine then their shouldn't be any problems with drinking it regularly because bottled water especially generic brands are basically the same thing as tap water but filtered a little bit better.



Just as long as it tastes fine and its properly filtered you should be just fine with drinking it, my grandmother caught hepatitis B from drinking her tap water because it wasn't filtered properly, thankfully she got over it and switched to city water shortly after.

Answer 9

Sorry about your dad. You can drink sink water. Its not as appealing as drinking bottled water but just make sure your hydrated. Your body runs on water. Dont skimp out on it.

Answer 10

Since you're having money problems I suggest you stop buying bottled water because bottled water is tap water, put in a bottle. Tap water is very safe to drink.

Answer 11

Depends where you live. Usually no it's the same as tap water. Comes from the same place. Also you have to put rusty pipes into account. If you got rusty pipes in the wall where the water comes from, then yes it would be bad for you. Most of the time, it is good for you though as long as it is not high in iron. If it is high in iron, it is bad for you unless you boil it.

Answer 12

Mexico- horrible idea- trust me, I did, I suffered horribly.



I live in the USA and have drank tap water for 40+ years without problem.

Studies show that tap water here is generally more safe and healthy than bottled water.

(despite what the bottled water manufacturers claim)

Answer 13

if you live in a 1st world country like america or england, the water from taps is fine, it's just that water bottle companies sell you the idea that it's not. It's only dangerous in very poor countries like india.

Answer 14

If this is a source of water that people routinely use is must be OK as it would be tested on a regular basis. You can have a sample tested yourself for about $25 dollars if you are worried about it. Most bottled water is just tap water with a fancy label.



http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/factsheet/com/bottledwater.html

Answer 15

In most places in the US no its not harmful

Bottled water is a waste of money in as any first world country

Answer 16

Just drink tap water. Its fine.

Answer 17

bottled water is water that comes from a tap so just drink the water from the tap but let it run for a few minutes before you do

Answer 18

If it's owned by the town your pumphouse water will be regularly tested. It's safe to drink. No need to waste money on buying bottle water.

Answer 19

Ive been drinking tap water for years and it never done nothing to me

Answer 20

drinking sink (tap) water is not bad for you. most municipalities filter and clean their water before it ever reaches your house. the only place i would be wary is the public drinking fountains, though

.

Answer 21

i drink sink water all the time never hurt me, and is never bad for you

Answer 22

No, Its depends on the locality or area. Drink tap water its normal for everyone.

Answer 23

Perhaps it would be a good idea for Mom to visit the local welfare office and get some assistance. Not only for the water problem but also financial assistance.

Answer 24

No, it has to be regularly tested. Its better than bottled water which can be years old.

Answer 25

In India

Answer 26

Uh.....that is called TAP WATER and if you live in a city, town, it's perfectly safe.

Answer 27

I used to collect rain water off the roof but it has a tar taste from the shingles.

Answer 28

you are probably just fine

Everyone lived before there was bottled water.

Answer 29

I varies region to region if you want to learn more you should google your areas water supplements

Answer 30

Yeah, tap water is almost always fine. way better for you than dehydration anyway.

Answer 31

yes obes drink is very bad for your body

Answer 32

It's fine where you live.

Answer 33

You should be fine because I'm v assuming your living in the U.S., U.K,. or Canada.

Answer 34

unless u live somewhere with bad plumming (like india) then no

Answer 35

That depends on your pipes.

Answer 36

depends which country you live in

Answer 37

yes it is unclean

Answer 38

No

Answer 39

No

Answer 40

no

Answer 41

No.