Why I Never Drink Tap Water — And What You Should Know About Contaminants

Why I Never Drink Tap Water — And What You Should Know About Contaminants

As a Naturopath, Herbalist, and Homeopath, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is whether our tap water is truly safe to drink. Many people assume that if water comes from the tap, it must have been thoroughly tested and filtered for all potential toxins. Unfortunately, this isn’t the full picture.

Mounting evidence confirms that contaminants — from pharmaceuticals to microplastics — are commonly detected in tap water, not only in the UK but worldwide. This growing body of research is deeply concerning, especially when we consider the long-term impact of daily exposure.

In this article, I’ll explore what science reveals about hidden contaminants in our drinking water, why this matters especially for women in midlife, and how to choose the most effective water filtration system for your health.

What’s Really in Our Tap Water?

Recent studies highlight that several categories of harmful substances are now routinely found in tap water samples:

1. Microplastics (MPs)

Tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm in size have infiltrated our food, air, and water supply. UK research has confirmed their presence in all tested tap water and bottled water samples. These particles can enter the body through ingestion and inhalation, with smaller nanoplastics potentially crossing cell membranes. Health concerns include:

-Inflammation and oxidative stress

-Disruption of gut microbiota

-Transport of toxic additives into tissues

Study reference

2. Heavy Metals

Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel are among the toxic metals found in drinking water, even in trace amounts. These accumulate in the body over time, contributing to:

-Neurological impairment

-Kidney and liver damage

-Increased cancer risk

Policy brief reference

3. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)

Prescription drugs, antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants, and other pharmaceuticals have been repeatedly detected in water systems. Many of these act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal balance and contributing to rising rates of hormone-related cancers.

The World Health Organization has even flagged the presence of antibiotics in water as a key driver of antibiotic resistance, one of today’s most pressing global health crises.

Study reference

4. Pesticides

Research at UK treatment plants found 58 different pesticides and their by-products at multiple filtration stages — and 11 still present in treated, “potable” water. Long-term pesticide exposure is linked to respiratory issues, reproductive harm, neurological effects, and cancer.

Study reference

5. PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are part of the PFAS family — chemicals used in packaging, clothing, cosmetics, and industrial processes. Even though some have been banned, they persist in the environment and accumulate in the body. Health risks include:

-Cancers

-Immune dysfunction

-Reproductive and developmental issues

-A recent Drinking Water Inspectorate report showed that 12,000 water samples across England contained PFAS.

Report reference

Why Filtration Matters for Your Health

Water is the foundation of every biochemical process in the body. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, brain fog, constipation, and toxin reabsorption. But hydration quality is just as important as quantity.

While peeling produce or choosing organic can reduce dietary toxins, our choices are limited when it comes to water. A simple carbon filter may improve taste and reduce chlorine, but it will not reliably remove pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics, or heavy metals.

The most effective solution available for households is reverse osmosis (RO) filtration, which removes up to 99.99% of contaminants. For me, this is not optional — it’s one of the most powerful health investments anyone can make.

If RO isn’t an option, the next best choice is natural spring water bottled in glass.

Why Women in Midlife Should Be Extra Cautious

For women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, avoiding tap water is especially important. During this stage of life, the body undergoes profound hormonal changes, leaving it more vulnerable to environmental toxins.

Two categories are of particular concern:

Endocrine disruptors (like xenoestrogens in plastics and pharmaceutical residues) can mimic estrogen, increasing the risk of breast and prostate cancers, and interfering with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Antibiotic residues in water contribute to antimicrobial resistance. For midlife women — whose immune defences naturally decline with age — this raises serious health risks.

How to Choose the Right Water Filter

If you’re investing in a filtration system, here are my top recommendations:

Choose reverse osmosis (RO). It is the gold standard for removing almost all contaminants.

Look for multi-stage filtration. The more stages, the better — each layer targets a different class of pollutants.

Choose trusted brands—more cylinders generally indicate better quality. If available, select options with re-mineralization. If RO isn’t feasible, natural spring water in glass bottles is a safer alternative

For me, a high-quality RO system is not just another kitchen appliance — it is a long-term investment in your health, resilience, and vitality.

To get an idea about the quality of your tap water consider using TDS water quality meter. A TDS meter is a proxy measure: it doesn’t tell you harmful vs benign content of organic and inorganic particles in the water, it gives a bulk count.

Clean water is the foundation of wellness. Yet, research shows that our tap water often carries an invisible burden of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, heavy metals, and plastics that compromise long-term health.

By investing in effective filtration — especially reverse osmosis — we can take back control over one of the simplest, most essential aspects of health: the water we drink every day.

For women in midlife, when hormonal balance is already delicate, this becomes even more critical. Prioritising clean, contaminant-free hydration is one of the most impactful choices you can make for your health, longevity, and wellbeing.

Jenya Di Pierro

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Author: Jenya Di Pierro

Founder, Naturopath & Herbal Medicine Practitioner

BSc, MSc, DipCNM, AMH, ANP

References:

1. TDS
   
2. Microplastics (MPs)
   
3. Heavy metals
   
4. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP)
   
5. Pesticides
   
6. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
   
7. Countertop filters
Hommix neRO