How's the tap water there? (Chesapeake, Hampton: buying, high schools, live in)

[PChildres]

I'm moving to Williamsburg from Texas in February. Here the tap water isn't very good and we've been buying it bottled, but I'd like to save money and be more environmentally friendly when moving in to my new place. So how's the water in Hampton Roads? Does it taste ok? Do you know about any tests that have been done for contaminants in the water? I'll probably do this anyway to be on the safe side, but do you recommend a water filter? Will appreciate any info/opinions.

[Erma]

Fine by me...I drink it out of the garden hose! :-)

[Verdana]

It's bad, don't drink it. They add fluoride in it, and fluoride should not be swallowed. With prolonged use, it causes brittle bones (hip fractures are common with older people who were exposed for long) and dental fluorosis. Unless you have a filter that specifically removes fluoride from water, I wouldn't recommend drinking it.

[ChessieMom]

Oh good grief. Fluoride exists naturally in water sources and is derived from fluorine, a common element in the Earth's crust. Fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay.The level of fluoride is quite safe, and very important for children. In fact, fluoride is actually in many bottled waters.

I'm in Chesapeake, and the tap water here is great!

[janeannwho]

We are in VB and we do not drink the water because it does not appeal to us, but the municipality tests it and says it is safe.

[dvcgal]

Originally Posted by PChildres

I'm moving to Williamsburg from Texas in February. Here the tap water isn't very good and we've been buying it bottled, but I'd like to save money and be more environmentally friendly when moving in to my new place. So how's the water in Hampton Roads? Does it taste ok? Do you know about any tests that have been done for contaminants in the water? I'll probably do this anyway to be on the safe side, but do you recommend a water filter? Will appreciate any info/opinions.

We filter ours. To me, and I live in Williamsburg, our water smells too much like chlorine and my mom thought I was exaggerating until she came by one day and had a glass. So, we use a Brita filter and it takes the smell out and the water taste much better. The pitcher cost us $7 on clearance at Target, so much cheaper than bottled water!

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Verdana

It's bad, don't drink it. They add fluoride in it, and fluoride should not be swallowed. With prolonged use, it causes brittle bones (hip fractures are common with older people who were exposed for long) and dental fluorosis. Unless you have a filter that specifically removes fluoride from water, I wouldn't recommend drinking it.

OMG LOL...girl, I just turned 50, had my colonoscopy and bone scan and I'm in great shape. I also have all my own teeth! Flouride is common in water.

[Verdana]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

Oh good grief. Fluoride exists naturally in water sources and is derived from fluorine, a common element in the Earth's crust.

Yeah, fluoride that is naturally in the water is not that much of a problem. The bigger problem is the industrially added fluoride. Anyway, I'm not an expert, but when I drink water, I want it to be just water, not tooth medication or whatever else.

Scientists, Doctors and Researchers warn of fluoridated water dangers
Fluoride Action Network

Originally Posted by Erma

OMG LOL...girl, I just turned 50, had my colonoscopy and bone scan and I'm in great shape. I also have all my own teeth! Flouride is common in water.

I'm happy for you and your health! However, you are one example that doesn't prove anything. My mom is some 54 years old and she's been smoking since she's been in high school at least 2-3 cigarettes a day, but she has no health problems whatsoever. Does that prove that tobacco doesn't cause lung cancer?

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Verdana

Yeah, fluoride that is naturally in the water is not that much of a problem. The bigger problem is the industrially added fluoride. Anyway, I'm not an expert, but when I drink water, I want it to be just water, not tooth medication or whatever else.

Scientists, Doctors and Researchers warn of fluoridated water dangers
Fluoride Action Network



I'm happy for you and your health! However, you are one example that doesn't prove anything. My mom is some 54 years old and she's been smoking since she's been in high school at least 2-3 cigarettes a day, but she has no health problems whatsoever. Does that prove that tobacco doesn't cause lung cancer?

2-3 cigarettes a day? LOL....IF it were 2-3 packs a day, I'd give her a high five!

[Verdana]

Originally Posted by Erma

2-3 cigarettes a day? LOL....IF it were 2-3 packs a day, I'd give her a high five!

So you are saying that tobacco is harmless if taken in moderation? Let's go to high schools then and teach the kids that smoking 2-3 cigarettes a day causes no health problems.

You seem to be ignoring the point I'm trying to make. One exception doesn't show that statistically something doesn't raise the risk of health problems. Just because you had fluoridated water all your life with no problems doesn't mean that in a random sample of 1000 people who lived the same as you did you wouldn't find more people with problems than in 1000 people who didn't drink fluoridated water all their life.