When you take care of yourself with a wellness routine, every detail counts—including the quality of the water you dissolve your supplement in. So today, we're taking a look at what's really in French tap water: Is it safe? What are the risks? And how to easily improve the quality of your water at home for an enhanced Daily Energy® wellness routine!
1. Tap water: what possible contaminants?
Tap water is one of the most controlled food products in France, however it can still contain contaminants.
Types, origin and health effects of water contaminants:
- Nitrates: derived from agricultural fertilizers, they can be harmful to infants in high doses (risk of methemoglobinemia).
- Pesticides: coming from agricultural treatments, some can be endocrine disruptors or carcinogenic in the long term.
- Lead: Linked to old pipes, it can affect the neurological development of children.
- Bacteria (E. coli, coliforms): a sign of fecal contamination, they can cause digestive problems.
- Micropollutants (drug residues, PFAS ( substances per- and polyfluoroalkylated) ): currently being evaluated, some are suspected of having chronic effects on health.
- Limescale: not dangerous to health, but can alter the taste of water or cause scale in appliances.
European and French regulations set strict limit values for more than 60 parameters, in order to ensure water is safe for consumption.
2. How can I find out about the quality of my water at home?
The quality of drinking water is regulated by:
- The Ministry of Health, which sets quality standards.
- The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) which carry out health checks (more than 300,000 samples per year).
- Local authorities or private operators who ensure continuous monitoring and compliance of distributed water.
There are several reliable and transparent sources of information available to inform you about the quality of the water in your home:
- Display in town hall: the mayor is required to display the bulletins or summaries of the analyses transmitted by the ARS.
- Water bill: Each year, subscribers receive a summary called an “infofacture,” summarizing the quality of the water distributed the previous year.
- Official website: eaupotable.sante.gouv.fr
This Ministry of Health website allows you to consult, free of charge, municipality by municipality: - Bacteriological compliance (absence of pathogenic germs) and physicochemical (nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.)
- Overall drinking water quality and parameters aesthetics (taste, color, smell)
- An interactive map of the entire French territory
3. Recommendations for optimal consumption
Even if tap water is drinkable in France, a few simple precautions and filtration techniques can improve its quality and your comfort:
- Run the water for a few seconds before drinking it, especially if it has stagnated in the pipes (in the morning or after a long absence).
- Avoid drinking hot water directly from the tap, as it may contain more dissolved metals.
- Use a water filter pitcher or place a piece of natural activated carbon (such as Binchotan charcoal) in your water pitcher. This helps reduce chlorine taste, unpleasant odors, and certain contaminants while improving flavor. (Remember to clean pitchers regularly and change filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations to prevent bacterial growth!)
- Install an under-sink filter for more efficient and continuous filtration. This type of filter removes more pollutants (pesticides, heavy metals) while providing a constant flow rate.
|
Filter type |
What it mainly filters |
Benefits |
Boundaries |
|
Filter cartridges |
Chlorine, sediments, certain metals, pesticides |
Simple, inexpensive, good taste |
Not effective on nitrates, bacteria |
|
Reverse osmosis |
Nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses |
Very complete purification |
Cost, demineralized water, water discharge+++ |
Conclusion
In France, tap water meets the needs of the majority of consumers: generally good quality, ecological and economical. However, in certain situations—particularly with old pipes or specific needs such as those of infants—mineral or spring water may be a necessary alternative.
To fully enjoy your Daily Energy® routine, don't hesitate to adopt simple gestures and/or a filtration technique because there's nothing like quality, pleasant-tasting water. By taking care of your water, you're also taking care of your health...! Happy Coffee!
