Almost 85% of us get water from a municipal source. In Hawaii, rain from the Pacific Ocean falls on the islands, then runs into streams or ditches (surface water) or percolates down through lava rocks to underground aquifers (ground water).The municipal water utility collects the surface water into reservoirs and sends it through treatment plants. Ground water is pumped up through wells and treated.
It is true that tap water is mostly free of bacteria and parasites thanks to chlorination. But bacteria represent only a fraction of the modern-day hazards present in our water. The nation's 50,000 municipal water supplies are liberally laced with hundreds of potentially harmful substances that have long-term ramifications for our health. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, nearly 1 million people get sick from drinking contaminated water each year with about 1,000 of those cases ending in fatalities.
Did you know that there are more than 75,000 chemical compounds in our water with more being added daily. What do you think water spots are? They come from industry, agriculture, and consumers/homes. Small doses of them in drinking water are ingested every day and no one knows what their long-term effect will be. Even our modern technology is no match for testing these many pollutants much less eliminating them. For more information about water contamination, see the section on “Contamination.”
Water wells
Water wells, which serve 15% of Americans, may or may not be safe depending on underground source and homeowner care. Wells are not regulated by state or federal governments. After an initial inspection, the homeowner is on his own to ensure water quality. Wells may be contaminated by pesticides, fertilizers and animal waste.
Bottled water
Bottled water is almost always safe but may not be pure. Bottled water is processed and bottled in plants that are inspected by the FDA every five or six years. (Tap water is inspected by the EPA more frequently.) The International Bottled Water Association commissions NSF International to conduct annual surprise inspections of its members facilities.
Americans bought about 13 gallons of bottled water per person last year, supporting a $4 billion industry. Water quality varies between brands. The FDA has not approved any health claims for bottled water.
Bottled water is expensive, costing anywhere from 88 cents to $4 per gallon, about 500 times as much as public water. About 25% of bottled water is simply taken from public water supplies, processed and bottled. The bottler takes out the chlorine that the municipal system put in. Then, most bottlers disinfect with ozone to avoid the taste of chlorine. The rest of bottled water comes from protected underground springs or wells that are naturally free of contaminants.
Excerpt from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply – “Annual Water Quality Report.”...What Can I Conclude about Oahu's Water Supply?
"All of our water contains naturally-occurring substances. Some of our wells also have been found to contain low levels of certain chemical contaminants.
Treatment becomes necessary when the amount of contaminant begins to increase and approaches the maximum allowable limit. When this situation develops, the BWS will install and operate treatment facilities to remove the contaminants (Granular Activated Carbon treatment). In 1986, BWS has been treating water serving the Mililani, Waipahu, Ewa, Kapolei, Waipio, Haleiwa, and Waialua areas....”