Water Purification - Safety and Controversies

Safety and Controversies

Further information: Distilled water#Health concerns

In April, 2007, the water supply of Spencer, Massachusetts became contaminated with excess sodium hydroxide (lye) when its treatment equipment malfunctioned.

Many municipalities have moved from free chlorine to chloramine as a disinfection agent. However, chloramine in some water systems, appears to be a corrosive agent. Chloramine can dissolve the "protective" film inside older service line, with the leaching of lead into residential spigots. This can result in harmful exposure to lead, with elevated blood levels of lead the outcome. Lead is a known neurotoxin.

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