This article is an outstanding comprehensive update of the bottled water industry. I posted an article on this two years ago that addressed many of these same issues.

Drinking enough water is essential to human health. Most people need one quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight per day. So, if you weigh 150 pounds this would be three quarts of water per day. If you are over 200 pounds it would be one full gallon of water per day.

It’s best to sip the water throughout the day, rather than consuming large quantities at once. If you drink a quart of water at a time most of the water will pass through your body before you’re able to use it.

It’s imperative that you drink pure water--if the water you are drinking is contaminated then you are harming yourself. I no longer recommend bottled water, not only because it’s hard to guarantee the water is from a clean source, but also because of the excessive burden all of these plastic bottles place on the environment.

You’re best bet to ensure a clean and affordable water source is to filter your own water at home. Avoid drinking unfiltered tap water, as chlorine and fluoride, which are added to most municipal water supplies, are toxic chemicals that shouldn’t be consumed in large quantities.

Please don't fool yourself into thinking that you can tell your water is safe by the way it looks, tastes, or smells.

Some contaminants in water are so harmful that they are measured in "parts per million" or "parts per billion." In other words, just a drop of these poisons added to gallons and gallons of water can be very harmful.

Just installing a filter to purify your drinking water may not be enough. You could still be exposed to contaminated water when you:

1. Shower or bathe
2. Wash your hands
3. Wash laundry
4. Rinse fruits and vegetables
5. Wash dishes, glasses, and other utensils

If you are unsure if your water is safe, I recommend you find out by taking advantage of AquaMD's Diagnostic Service or their Direct Laboratory Testing Services.

How AquaMD's Diagnostic Service Works

1. If your water is supplied by a water company or municipality:

   You simply answer some brief, but pertinent questions in their online questionnaire.

   One of AquaMD's water diagnosticians will review your responses and contact your water company to examine the laboratory tests they have performed on your water supply.

   AquaMD will provide you with a written report advising:

   a) If the water you are using is safe right now.

   b) If you need a specific water treatment system to remove the contaminants found in your water.

   c) If some limited additional laboratory tests should be performed because your water company did not conduct them.

2. If your water is supplied by a private well:

   You need to have your well water tested yourself at least once a year. Since there are hundreds of contaminants you can test for, it is not cost effective to test for every possible one.

   Thus AquaMD's Diagnostic Service will ask you to respond to more extensive questions. Your answers will be reviewed by one of their water diagnosticians and they will recommend exactly what lab tests you should have performed, and explain why they should be performed.

   If contamination is found, they will also provide you with unbiased treatment advice.

AquaMD Diagnostic Service is risk-free and completely independent. If you are not satisfied with their service, they will refund your money.

If you prefer, you can also take advantage of Dr. Mercola Lab Test Packages that I've created with the help of AquaMD. You can also customize your own packages to fit your needs.

I encourage you to find out if your water is safe by taking advantage of AquaMD's services at AquaMD.com.

The staff of AquaMD can also be reached at 1-866-278-2634 (Toll Free). Please mention that Dr. Mercola alerted you to their services.

Related Articles:

Warning! That Glass of Drinking Water Is Recycled

The Absurdities of Water Fluoridation

Finally, Physical Proof that Distilled Water is Inferior

Chlorinated Water Can Affect Cancer Risk

Is Your Water Really Safe? Start with a No-cost Evaluation to Find Out

Study Supports Eight Glasses of Water per Day Recommendation