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The short answer: yes. But it should and could be cleaner, says Renee Sharp, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, a research nonprofit in Washington, D.C. In 2009, Sharp helped compile a report that uncovered a total of 316 contaminants in our drinking water nationwide, including pesticides, bacteria, lead, arsenic, chemicals such as trihalomethanes (by-products created when utilities treat polluted water with disinfectants) and MTBE, a gasoline additive.

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ORIGINAL: ChristineB

But then how do we know what we drink out of the bottle is any safer?  AND all that plastic goes to a landfill....unless we use the Brita I suppose.  Hmmm

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As with other types of food, FDA periodically collects and analyzes samples of bottled water. Samples come from several different sources. Some samples are collected during inspections if the inspector's observations warrant collection to test for contaminants or if the bottled water facility has a previous history of contamination. Other samples are collected in response to trade or consumer complaints. Starting in FY 2003, bottled water samples will be collected as part of FDA's Total Diet Study. Finally, samples of foreign bottled water products offered for entry into the U.S. may be collected and tested to determine if they are in compliance with all applicable U.S. laws and FDA regulations.

FDA laboratories may test the water for microbiological, radiological or chemical contamination. Individual samples are not tested for all possible contaminants cited in the quality standard, but for selected contaminants, depending on the reason for the sampling. For example, suspected microbiological contamination may result in microbiological analysis. (However, as noted, bottlers are required to maintain testing records to show to government inspectors for all the contaminants in the quality standard.) FDA also may review the labeling on bottled water samples.

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ORIGINAL: ChristineB

Me too, although I can't drink it at work. The building I work in is from the 1800's so our water goes from cloudy, to yellow, to sometimes even black. I don't even water the plants with it.

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I cannot say that its really safe to drink tap water but I've been drinking it a lot of timesmand so far I haven't been rushed in the hospital because of this matter.

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Ya know, when I was a kid we drank right from the hose!