"Why don't you use the filtered water?"

[elfs]

Along with my morning cup of coffee, I fill my water bottle at a water fountain right outside the passcard-controlled door leading into the development wing of my company's building. To call it a "public" water fountain is a misnomer: you can't even get to this floor without a development-flagged passcard.

Three times in the past week, as people have gotten off the elevator and seen me, they've said the same thing: "We've got a water filter in the kitchen. Why don't you use it?" Well, for one thing, the fountain is closer. For another, the fountain's cold-water resevoir is one liter. The filter's cold-water resevoir is a half-liter. My bottle is one liter, so I typically drain the filter's reservoir completely and get a bottle of warm water.

But finally, is there something wrong with Seattle's water such that we'd make a fetish out of drinking only filtered water straight? I don't see people worrying about filtration when they order coffee from the barista, or have ice put into their Cokes, or any of the myriad other ways we ingest stuff with water. Last time I checked, Seattle had great water as it was.

Usually, that's my reaction: "Is there something wrong with Seattle's water?" "Well, no, but..."

But what? Usually there's no answer.

Comments

[sirfox.livejournal.com]

but you aren't supporting our behavioral neuroses! That's not fair! Give in to marketing, damnit!

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

I've found Seattle's water to generally have a metric buttload of chlorine, at least when I lived in Greenlake. We'll have to see about the new place...

Now, Renton gets its water from wells, and is some of the best water in these parts, save Paradux Hill (well water again), or maybe someplace like Kapowsin where it's 100% glacier melt... and Kirkland's isn't all that bad.... but Seattle? Not so much.

[nbarnes.livejournal.com]

Because the phrase 'heavy metal-related neural damage' causes me to want to curl up in the fetal position in a corner of my room.

[nbarnes.livejournal.com]

Also, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Wetterhahn

[memegarden.livejournal.com]

I don't like the taste of Seattle tap water much; probably the chlorine.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

Any bets on when they last *changed* trhe filter?

[lisakit.livejournal.com]

I grew up in outlying areas, usually on well water. There's a vast flavor difference and I prefer getting water at lease somewhat filtered through our fridge in Woodinville even to the city water supply. I agree that Seattle water isn't bad, it's just not as nice tasting as, say, a clear mountain stream (yes, I know there are potential microbe & heavy metal problems with drinking stream water in the mountains, but the taste is much preferable).

I suppose also most people figure that with bottled water there won't be any surprises or flavors they're not used to.

[laplor.livejournal.com]

The tap water here is perfectly safe, but I can't stand the taste or smell of chlorine so I use filtered water for drinking. I prefer filtered for coffee making, but I can stand to use tap water if I must because the chlorine smell/taste is less irritating.

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

The tap water is microbiologically safe.

No guarantee is made, express or implied, regarding its safety from dissolved metals, chemicals or other toxins. In fact we add a poison to all tap water (chlorine or ozone).

I prefer to drink filtered water but I'm not a fanatic about it.

chlorine

[foshka.livejournal.com]

Chlorine evaporates out of water quickly exposed to air, leaving the top off a water bottle for few minutes is usually all thats needed to get rid of most of it. Aerated water does so pretty fast, so much so that drinking straight from the kitchen faucet tastes better than it does from your shower head, not because its different water.