Is toilet water cleaner than drinking water?
On One Hand: Drinking Water in the U.S. is Generally SafeThe Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) passed by congress in 1974 provides standards for contaminants in the nation’s drinking water supply, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight ensures that drinking water from public sources is safe for consumption. Water from your toilet is not subject to the same safety standards.On the Other: Toilet Water vs. Drinking WaterConfusion about whether toilet water is safer to drink than tap water probably comes from an informal 2007 study conducted by a middle school student in North Bend, Oregon. The student found that toilets at his school contained less bacteria than drinking fountains. The study did not take into account that dangerous chemicals are used to clean the toilets.Bottom LineEven though your dog does it, drinking from a toilet is not considered a healthy alternative to drinking tap water.
