Tap water: an invisible threat that flows in every home

Daily use of tap water without additional purification can pose a serious health hazard due to the possible content of harmful chemical compounds, microorganisms and heavy metals. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Chemical pollutants in the water

According to the World Health Organization, residual amounts of chlorine and its derivatives may be present in tap water. These substances are formed during the disinfection of water and, if consumed for a long time, can negatively affect the body.

Studies conducted in 2023 showed the presence of traces of pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics and hormonal drugs, in the tap water of large Russian cities. The concentration of these substances is not regulated by current sanitary standards.

Microbiological danger

Despite chlorination, some types of pathogenic microorganisms may persist in tap water. Legionella bacteria, which multiply in the hot water supply system, are particularly dangerous.

Rospotrebnadzor annually records cases of violation of microbiological parameters in:

• 12% of samples from centralized water supply sources;

• 8% of samples from the distribution network;

• 15% of samples are from decentralized sources.

Heavy metals and their effects

The deterioration of water supply networks leads to the ingress of heavy metals into the water. Lead, cadmium, and mercury, even in small concentrations, have a cumulative effect and can accumulate in the body.

According to the Research Institute of Human Ecology, regular consumption of water with a high content of heavy metals leads to:

• impaired kidney function;

• cognitive decline;

• increased risk of cardiovascular diseases;

• weakening of the immune system.

Industrial pollutants

In regions with developed industry, persistent organic pollutants may enter the tap water. These substances are not removed by standard cleaning methods and pose a long-term health hazard.

Experts are particularly concerned about:

• polychlorinated biphenyls;

• Dioxins;

• pesticides;

• perchlorates.

Impact on children's health

Children are especially sensitive to pollutants in drinking water. Pediatricians note that even minor concentrations of harmful substances can affect the development of the nervous system and the growth of a child.

Studies conducted in 2024 revealed a correlation between the quality of drinking water and:

• the frequency of allergic diseases;

• indicators of physical development;

• the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections;

• academic performance at school.

Regional water quality features

The quality of tap water varies significantly in different regions of Russia. Territories with outdated sewage treatment plants remain the most problematic from the point of view of drinking water safety.

Experts identify three groups of regions based on water quality:

• relatively prosperous (Moscow, St. Petersburg);

• with stable problems (industrial centers of the Urals);

• with a critical situation (some areas of Siberia and the Far East).

Additional water purification methods

Experts recommend using additional methods of cleaning tap water before use. The effectiveness of different methods varies depending on the type of pollutants.

The most common cleaning systems:

• flow filters;

• reverse osmosis systems;

• ultraviolet disinfectants;

• distillation units.

Regulatory framework and quality control

The current Russian standards SanPiN 1.2.3685-21 set maximum permissible concentrations for 70 water quality indicators. However, experts note that this list is much narrower than in the WHO recommendations.

Rospotrebnadzor regularly monitors water quality, but the frequency of inspections may not be sufficient to promptly detect contamination. This is especially true in areas with worn-out infrastructure.

Regular use of untreated tap water requires an informed approach and an understanding of the potential risks. Modern cleaning methods can significantly reduce the risk to health, but they cannot completely eliminate it without a comprehensive approach to solving the problem of water quality.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.