Checking our water

We turn on the tap, fill our glasses and drink down what comes out. The water looks clear and if we've chilled it or put in the fridge to get cold it refreshes us like few things can. But most of us don't wonder just how clean our water is.

A scan of the label on some of the top brands of bottled water shows that the stuff is just tap water poured through a filter, bottled and sold for many times the cost of production. That's capitalism, and I have no complaints about that.

But we assume the water we drink is as clean as that which we buy in bottles. But you don't to have to assume, the water authorities around Virginia are required to provide an annual report on their water quality.

And, these reports are on-line. Fairfax County, Virginia's largest county by population has its drinking water report here, while Loudoun County's water report is here.

Both counties and the other jurisdictions around the state report on their water supplies. A simple web search using your county's name and the words "water authority" should turn up the latest report.

The fact is, the water that flows out of your tap is as good as the water a lot of people pay more than $1/quart or liter. It's just not worth it.

Just about every non-clothing department store (Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart) and national chain drug store sells stainless steel or aluminum water bottles. I advise against plastic bottles because of potential leaching if the bottles are left out in the sun. That goes for the pricey bottles, too. Keep it chilled, drink it right away. The trade association of plastics manufacturers has its own website debunking some of the things we've heard about plastic bottles. I'm no scientist, but I'm always leery of what a trade group says about its products. What are they going to say, "Don't use our stuff."

Bottom line is this: Check out your local water quality report, back it up with some additional research and save some money and buy a reusable metal bottle.