The summer travel season is underway which always makes me think about the stress that goes along with it. Whether its difficulty sleeping in unfamiliar or uncomfortable places, erratic eating or overindulgence, over-exposure to the elements, unexpected colds or allergies, rashes and hives, chafing, heat stroke, insect bites, or minor burns, cuts and scrapes –it seems like there’s always something you need to be prepared for. And of course there’s always a concern about the ready availability of clean drinking water –especially when traveling abroad or camping in the deep wilderness.

So I’ve finally decided to write about something that’s been on my mind for a long time … the importance of clean drinking water –not just to your health but to the health of the environment as well. Water comes in many forms: lakes, streams, de-salinated ocean or sea water, rain water, the tap in your bathroom or kitchen sink, your shower head and pre-packaged water in plastic bottles from the store.

There’s no surprise that drinking or even showering in unfiltered water, can compromise your health. According to the National Tap Water Database, tap water in 42 states is contaminated with more than 140 unregulated chemicals. Is it any wonder that so many people now choose to drink bottled water over tap water?

Unfortunately, bottled water is not without its safety concerns. There’s little real evidence that most bottled water is any cleaner or safer than tap water. The National Resources Defense Council spent four years investigating the quality of bottled water. Twenty-five percent of those tested had chemical contaminants that were higher than the concentrations allowed by many state regulations. From fecal coliform bacteria (bacteria from animal intestines that can contaminate waterways as a result of farm pollution) to Arsenic and Lead (known carcinogens), in many cases, bottled water rated just as poorly.

Health concerns aside, the rabid consumption of bottled water creates serious environmental issues too. It’s estimated that each year, 1.5 million tons of garbage is generated from drinking bottled water and as much as 47 million gallons of petrol goes into the production of plastic bottles! Phew! Who knew?

If the old axiom “you are what you eat” is true, then it follows that you are what you drink as well. Your body is made up of at least 60-70%% water, and the chemical reactions that support life in all plants and animals take place in water. Given that simple reality, it would be wise to consider how the quality of the water you drink and how much you drink of it fit into the bigger picture of your health and well being. But some of the water purification systems we’ve come to rely on for clean water may have hidden trade-offs. Are you using a water purification system? If you are, share your experiences and recommendations with us.