Surely the many miles of underground pipes are a breeding ground for microbes, right?
In: 122
It depends on where you live.
While in the USA you’ll get the typical “chlorine” answer, this isn’t the case for every other country.
In the USA up to 4 milligrams of Chlorine per liter of water are permitted. However in Germany for example only a maximum of 0.3 mg/liter are allowed.
Instead, to ensure water quality, Germany mainly uses copper pipes, which are naturally harmful to any kind of germs, and water in those pipes is constantly in motion. Also, water quality is very strictly monitored.
Because of that the water quality is considered to be overall better than in the USA, since it’s at least equally safe and on top of that has far less chemicals put inside.
“The half-life determined in static tests for free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combined chlorine was 140, 93, and 1680 min.”
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/)
Large water districts that have the miles and miles of pipe you are referencing, typically use monochloramine (produced by the combination of free chlorine and ammonia) – far more persistent in water than free chlorine. To the point that it becomes a problem (and has to be removed before use) for particular end users like aquariums and brewers.
Unless you live in a shithole country, tap water is safer and better than PET bottled water.
It’s a combination of chlorine in the water, which kills any contaminants in the water, and highly pressurized water mains, which prevents new contaminants from entering the water supply. That’s why any time there’s a loss in water pressure like a water main breaking, you’re usually told to boil your water before using it.
“The half-life determined in static tests for free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combined chlorine was 140, 93, and 1680 min.”
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/)
Large water districts that have the miles and miles of pipe you are referencing, typically use monochloramine (produced by the combination of free chlorine and ammonia) – far more persistent in water than free chlorine. To the point that it becomes a problem (and has to be removed before use) for particular end users like aquariums and brewers.
I use well water and I have a UV light that all the water passes through after it is filtered through a sediment filter. The UV light kills the bacteria.
It’s a combination of chlorine in the water, which kills any contaminants in the water, and highly pressurized water mains, which prevents new contaminants from entering the water supply. That’s why any time there’s a loss in water pressure like a water main breaking, you’re usually told to boil your water before using it.
Surprisingly running water hinders the development of many bacteria and contaminants that are usually found in standing water. It’s why rivers are at least ostensibly clean compared to lakes or swamps, and why most Romans didn’t die by lead poisoning despite using lead pipes in their aqueducts.
Still all water meant for consumption goes through treatment plants and has additives put in to prevent bacterial growth. Also it’s important to note that while running water is safer than standing water that doesn’t mean that running water can’t be contaminated.
“The half-life determined in static tests for free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combined chlorine was 140, 93, and 1680 min.”
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474301/)
Large water districts that have the miles and miles of pipe you are referencing, typically use monochloramine (produced by the combination of free chlorine and ammonia) – far more persistent in water than free chlorine. To the point that it becomes a problem (and has to be removed before use) for particular end users like aquariums and brewers.
Surprisingly running water hinders the development of many bacteria and contaminants that are usually found in standing water. It’s why rivers are at least ostensibly clean compared to lakes or swamps, and why most Romans didn’t die by lead poisoning despite using lead pipes in their aqueducts.
Still all water meant for consumption goes through treatment plants and has additives put in to prevent bacterial growth. Also it’s important to note that while running water is safer than standing water that doesn’t mean that running water can’t be contaminated.
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