Is it safe to drink tap water during pregnancy? This question is on the minds of many expectant mothers, and rightfully so. You’ll hear it from your doctor and your loved ones, drinking water and paying attention to the quality of the water you drink while pregnant is imperative.
Fortunately, 99.96 percent of UK tap water complies with rigorous British standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which monitors and enforces water quality regulations to ensure public health safety. However, if you’re drinking for two, it pays to be aware of where your drinking water comes from and consider whether drinking your tap water is safe during pregnancy.
Hydration is vital during pregnancy as it helps in forming amniotic fluid, supporting digestion, and ensuring nutrients are transported to the baby efficiently. Experts recommend that pregnant women drink at least 1.5 litres of water daily until 27 weeks, increasing to 2-2.5 litres as the pregnancy progresses. This extends to GP approved caffeine-free teas, fruit and vegetable based smoothies and milk. Everything from the vitamins you’re taking to the nutrition in your food is absorbed with the help of water, carried to your baby in an H2O superhighway.
Potential risks of drinking tap water when pregnant
With the discovery of the harmful effects of phthalates, which can cause hormonal imbalance and birth defects, it may be time to consider a BPA-free glass bottle. While UK tap water is generally safe, it’s important to be aware of potential contaminants. Phthalates, for example, can disrupt hormones and potentially lead to birth defects. Pregnant women should consider using BPA-free glass bottles to avoid exposure to these chemicals. Equally, expectant mothers are more susceptible to the adverse effects of impure water due to their weakened immune system. Illnesses caused by water contamination range greatly, so we’ll explore various types and how they can occur. Contamination covers everything, including:
- Minerals and chemicals naturally present in water;
- Seepage from agricultural fertilisers and pesticides;
- Sewer or waste-water overflows.
Keep your head above water during a water crisis
Due to the high standards across the UK, authorities must work to keep utility companies in check. A major supplier was fined £300,000 after polluting the water source of over 700,000 people across the UK. The fine dated back to an oversight, in which animal carcass and faeces had leeched into a tank leading to a cryptosporidium contamination. While the UK has some of the highest levels of tap water purity in the world, it pays to be aware of any crises that have occurred. Moreover, if you want a safeguard against the risks, a bottleless water cooler could be your guaranteed source of contaminant-free, baby-safe H20.
The Flint water crisis began in the state of Michigan, US and has since caused a public health crisis, affecting the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, men, women and children. Studies have found the birth rate has declined by 12% and foetal death rates have increased by 58%. The graph below compares the fertility rates in Flint, MI and other Michigan cities including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Dearborn and Detroit during the end of 2013 and 2015. As the Flint water source was switched in April 2014, the women and growing children would have been exposed to the new water. Surrounding cities showed no drop-in fertility rates.
What are the other threats to my drinking water when I’m pregnant?
Metals
Various heavy metals can contaminate water, ranging from lead to copper, and even arsenic. Unfortunately, many of these elements are found across groundwater in the UK, although the authorities have a responsibility to ensure levels remain negligible. Arsenic can enter private wells through the pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture. Copper is used in many plumbing pipes, including those in homes. Over time, the copper level in water could potentially rise. As with lead, when arsenic or copper build up faster than the environment naturally removes it, it can result in unpleasant illnesses such as skin rashes, severe digestive problems, liver disease, and even cancer.
Microbes and Parasites
The most common culprits of water contamination are little microorganisms like giardia, salmonella, and shigella. These are the same critters to blame for most types of food poisoning. Most of the time, these microbes will colonise stagnant waterways when the weather is warmer, or water storage units remain at ambient temperatures – such as with a faulty boiler. Giardia outbreaks are common among pet dogs who drink from puddles or swim in lakes and due to the contagious nature of the parasite, the bug can easily transfer to anyone who meets them. For pregnant women, digestive infections like these can be debilitating. Painful cramping, vomiting and severe nausea can land you in the hospital with an IV to re-hydrate and antibiotics.
How do I find out if my tap water is safe to drink during pregnancy?
To ensure your tap water is safe during pregnancy:
- Check Local Water Quality Reports: Visit the DWI website for annual water quality reports in your area.
- Use Filtration Systems: Consider installing a water filter that removes heavy metals and pathogens.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with local news and alerts about water safety issues
If you use a private well, you can visit the Defra website where there is a host of advice on how to ensure your water source is safe.
If you use a private water supply, your local council takes responsibility for guaranteeing the safety levels, although checks can be infrequent, so be sure to check the Defra guidelines as well. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) carry out independent checks each year and their reports are available for public review.
Use the resources above to find out more about your area’s tap water. Be sure to keep an eye on your water quality and here’s to a happy pregnancy. Ensuring safe tap water during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both mother and baby. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can confidently drink tap water and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Blog written by Sidrah Ahmad
Sidrah is a writer and marketing coordinator at Waterlogic, an international provider of office water dispensers, and has contributed to many blogs on environmental and health issues such as improper waste disposal, the use of single use plastics, water pollution and is passionate about health research, medical discoveries and environmental news. This blog is one of our Health related blogs.