I agree. I'm in school now and currently have been going over environmental science. After learning about the actual cycle that our waste water goes through, you'd be surpirsed to know what is actually in our water. There's actually research groups such as the lab at FIU North, that is testing the effects of Viagra in aquatic and marine species. The reason for this is that 95% of chemicals that go into our waste water is simply dumped straight into the ocean. FRESH WATER + CHLORINE straight into the ocean after simple cleaning.
Think of it this way, everyday someone takes viagra, tylenol, advil, and many other vitamins and anti-biotics and then you turn around and pee it in the toilet. Then it gets flushed and gets plumbed into the ocean. Only to return to our aquafers and pumped back into our tap. Not to mention the water is cleaned with chlorine before returned to the ocean. It only takes like 1ppm/gal to desamate(sp?) any algae life form.
There are state laws for what has to be removed from our waste water before it's plumbed into the ocean but these laws are very vague and don't keep water clean by any means. I visited the Virginia Key water treatment plant on an assignment for our lab and that day they were on target to treat 103MILLION gallons. 103MILLION Gallons of nasty, freshwater that is pumped directly into the ocean. Imagine the effects of that much freshwater per day in the ocean. But that a different story in a different thread.
But back on topic, our aquafers are polluted with pesticides that seep down from our watering in gardens and such. Pesticide, when combined with water, is quicker and free-er flowing then wood stains. It goes straight into our water supply which is pumped into our homes without being treated. One point i disagree with walter is that for drinking purposes, de-ionization isn't the way to go. Ions actually do the body good. But you can live with drinking RO/DI without ill effects. If not only for your fishtank you should get a system for yourself. Because even companies like Zephryhillis simply pumped water out of the ground without conditioning it through an RO/DI. Just because a company says they're water is from a clean aquafer doesn't mean it is. Zephryhillis water is taken from aquafers near farming land. Farming land = pesticides. Pesticides seep into aquafers. Baam! Polluted water. My parents use zephryhillis and i'm not trying to give them a bad name. But we're making the switch to filling out own bottles for now on. It's in the process. If anyone would like more info on what is in our water let me know. I can go all night.
