Last year 20/20 did a story comparing tap water vs. bottled water. Since then there have been been been scandalous reports and the pros and cons on each.   (Be sure to read today’s News feature:  How safe is our drinking water?)

Here are some stories to ponder: Florida among the top ten states for dirty tap water Sun-Sentinel.com - Daniel Vasquez.

What’s in your water? This story appeared in Chattanooga Times Free Press by Pam Sohn who points out that “Area residents turning on the tap can expect their water to meet federal and state regulations, but that might not mean the water is free from contaminants, water experts say.”

Here are some facts from the EPA that Pam Sohn notes in her article as well:

WATER FACTS

* In the United States, water utilities treat nearly 34 billion gallons of water every day.

* Tap water — Americans consume more than 1 billion glasses of tap water per day

* Consumption by children vs. adults — Children in the first six months of life will consume seven times as much water per pound as will the average American adult.

Common contaminants which might be potentially harmful in terms of cancer risk or damage to the liver, kidney or central nervous system include:

* Haloacetic acids, byproducts of drinking water disinfection

* Trihalomethanes, byproduct of drinking water disinfection

* Total coliforms, used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present

We will be presenting more on this story on Wednesday and Friday, including some of the problems with your favorite bottled water.

– Copyright 2009 Rita Watson