Is bathroom sink water safe to drink? Yes, it is safe to drink tap water from the bathroom sink. However, experts do not recommend it because of many unaccounted variables.
Some people might point to the answer to the question, “is bath water the same as sink water?” as the reason for drinking from washroom faucets. Although they have a similar source, stagnation and other factors can affect the safety and other qualities of your bathroom water.
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Can I Drink Bathroom Sink Water?
Is kitchen water safe to drink? Everyone knows the answer to that. However, asking about bathroom water’s drinkability often elicits diverse viewpoints.
Households receive water supply from a single source, such as an artesian well, a water pump, or a municipal utility office. Water goes through a main water supply line before branching out into smaller water tubes, terminating with faucets, appliances, and other fixtures.
Hence, the water in the kitchen sink should be the same as that of the bathroom, toilet, washroom, garden, and other areas.
This logic applies to some situations, but not to others.
For instance, indirect water systems feature a cold water storage tank for accommodating water not used in the kitchen. This “stored” water supplies the bathroom and other less frequently-used fixtures.
The issue with “storing” water in tanks is the risk of contamination, especially in open systems (i.e., tanks without covers). Birds can poop. Squirrels and other vermin can defecate or throw things into the water. Dust, dried leaves, broken twigs, branches, and other objects can fall into the water.
The risk of contamination is high, even in storage tanks with covers. Severely corroded pipes and outdated plumbing systems can introduce rust particles, sediments, debris, and other particulates into the water.
These contaminants reduce water quality and promote microbial growth, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Ammonia, petroleum products, detergents, pharmaceuticals, chemical wastes, heavy metals, and other harmful substances might also be present.
So, is it ok to drink water from the bathroom sink?
With so many substances and microorganisms potentially contaminating the water in the bathroom? We do not think so.
Location can also impact bathroom water’s drinkability.
For example, 187 countries worldwide do not have safe tap water (you should not drink water from the tap, even in the kitchen). Examples of such countries include Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Mexico, Turkey, China, and India.
Meanwhile, some countries with safe tap water include the US, Singapore, Australia, the UK, Japan, Canada, and Spain. So, you can feel more secure and confident drinking tap water from almost anywhere in these countries (yes, even bathrooms).
So, is bathroom water safe to drink? Bathroom water should pose no harm when sourced from countries with safe tap water. Otherwise, you might want to test the water before drinking.
How to Know My Bathroom Sink Water is Safe to Drink
Testing and analyzing a water sample is the only way to know if it is safe to drink bathroom sink water. You have two options: obtain the water sample or let professionals do it. Either way, you will need a laboratory to analyze the results.
The first method requires you to buy a water test kit, which should be available online. Alternatively, you can buy a kit from a water supplies store.
To determine bathroom water’s drinkability, get a clean sample from the bathroom sink using the tools included in the purchase. You will then send the water sample to a testing laboratory for analysis and wait for the results.
The second method is a more practical way of determining if it is bad to drink bathroom sink water.
Contact your local health department and ask if they can perform a water test and analysis.
Either method should help determine if the bathroom sink water is safe to drink.
Things to Consider Before Drinking Water in Bathroom
Determining the answer to the question, “is bathroom or shower water drinkable?” requires pondering on several things.
1. Storage Tank
Direct water systems have a single water supply line delivering water to all faucets and appliances, regardless of location. So, is bathtub water safe to drink in such systems? Yes, bathroom water is safe to drink in such cases because it is the same liquid as your kitchen sink.
However, indirect water systems have shutoff valves (also known as “stopcock”) that supply water to the kitchen. Excess water travels to a cold water storage tank to serve other rooms. Bathrooms, toilets, and other locations derive water from this storage tank.
Is water from the sink safe to drink in such systems? From the kitchen sink, yes? From the bathroom, no!
Water in the storage tank becomes stagnant because of infrequent use. Bacteria and other microorganisms could grow. And if the water tank does not have a cover, dirt, debris, vermin, and what-have-you can contaminate the liquid.
2. Old Pipes
Legacy water pipes feature lead because it is corrosion-resistant. Sadly, lead is toxic. It can cause brain damage, kidney dysfunction, weakness, anemia, and other health problems.
3. Water Filters
You will feel safer drinking bathroom water if you have a filtration system, preferably a multi-stage whole-house water filter with activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and UV filters. These treatments should remove impurities and kill microorganisms to purify the water in any faucet, including the bathroom.
On that note, is it safe to drink bathroom tap water if boiled? Yes, boiling kills microorganisms, making it safe to drink bathroom water.
4. Water Softeners
These water treatment systems replace calcium and magnesium with sodium, which can be unhealthy when drunk. Still, “is soft bath water safe to drink?” Unless your softeners come with other filtration mechanisms, you’ll still have to deal with bacteria and other contaminants in softened water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bathroom sink water same as kitchen?
If you are like most folks who ask, “is bathroom tap water the same as kitchen sink water?” Yes, they are similar. After all, they have a similar source – a water utility service or deep well.
However, most cities have water systems that “store” water in temporary cold storage tanks for use in bathrooms and faucets other than the kitchen. It is possible for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow and multiply because of the stagnant water.
You can test the liquids from the kitchen and bathroom to compare their levels of impurities, including microbial content.
Why does bathroom sink water taste different?
Bathroom sink water tastes different because of varying reasons. Seasonal changes can impact water quality, increasing impurities and affecting the water’s taste. Modern countries like the USA and the UK are not immune to water quality changes.
Homes store bathroom water in tanks for infrequent use. Stagnation can cause earthy and musty elements in pipes to impact taste and odor. Rusty zinc and copper can also produce an uncanny metallic taste.
You can also ask Reddit users about their thoughts. You will be surprised at how sensible many of their answers can be.
Conclusion
Is bathroom sink water safe to drink? Bathroom sink water is safe to drink if you can ascertain its purity. Although some countries have safe tap water because of robust public health measures, others might not be so lucky.
Moreover, some water systems expose the water in the bathroom to various physical, chemical, environmental, and biological hazards. Plumbing system integrity and water treatment can also impact bathroom water drinkability. With so many things to consider, you are better off not drinking from washroom sinks.
As the founder of Usawaterquality, I have been working to deliver quality advice on utilizing water components for numerous households. Here, we believe that water quality is the most critical part of health care, so the investment and attention for the water system will never go to waste.