We all drink water every day, but do we really know what it contains?
The official narrative assures us that water is completely safe, clear, and healthy. We are taught to trust what we see and drink, without questioning too much. However, more and more independent research and critical voices are starting to show that reality might not be as simple as we’ve been told.
Think for a moment: what seems like a basic, everyday resource, something we believe to be natural and pure, could be influenced by decisions, interests, and processes that we don’t see.
• What chemicals and residues could be present in the water that reaches your home without you noticing?
• Are there silent risks that the water industry prefers to keep out of the public eye?
• Who really benefits when we accept without question what we are told is “safe”?
These are questions that could change the way we perceive something as everyday as a glass of water. And while many prefer to ignore them, more and more people are seeking answers and conscious solutions.
🔎 What’s really in the water
Drinking water can (and in 99.99% of cases does) contain elements rarely mentioned in official media:
• Added fluoride: promoted as a dental protector, but independent studies suggest long-term neurological and hormonal effects.
• Chlorine and disinfection byproducts: used to kill bacteria but can generate carcinogenic compounds such as trihalomethanes.
• Microplastics and heavy metals: increasingly present in rivers and urban water networks, affecting metabolic and hormonal health.
• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
1. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – A byproduct of PFAS pesticide degradation, TFA is highly persistent and has been detected in rivers and aquifers across Europe, including the Besòs River in Barcelona. It is associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity in animals and is being evaluated as an endocrine disruptor by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
2. Synthetic and natural estrogens – Compounds such as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) have been detected in wastewater and drinking water in various regions, including Spain, Brazil, Taiwan, France, Germany, and China. These estrogens can affect human health and aquatic wildlife even at concentrations of nanograms per liter.
3. Pesticides and herbicides – Substances like chlorpyrifos, hexachlorobenzene, and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) are known endocrine disruptors. They are used in agriculture and can enter water through runoff. These compounds have been identified in public water and are associated with adverse health effects.
4. Phthalates – Used as plasticizers in plastics, cosmetics, and personal care products, phthalates such as diethyl phthalate can be released into the environment and contaminate water. They have been found in drinking water and are linked to health risks.
5. Bisphenol A (BPA) – A component of plastics and epoxy resins, BPA is a well-known endocrine disruptor. Although its use has been restricted in some products, it can persist in the environment and contaminate water sources. It has been detected in public water and is associated with adverse human health effects.
⚠️ Why it’s concerning
The presence of these chemicals in public water poses risks to human health, including hormonal disruptions, reproductive problems, and developmental effects. Since many of these compounds are persistent and accumulate in the environment, their complete removal is a challenge. Conventional water treatment systems are not always effective at eliminating them entirely.
🛡️ How to protect yourself
• Use water filters: Install filters that remove specific contaminants, such as activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems.
• Avoid plastics with BPA and phthalates: Choose products free from these compounds.
• Rainwater collection: Use rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable uses.
• Support public policies: Promote regulation and elimination of hazardous chemicals in water.
🌍 Context that the media doesn’t tell
• The water industry is a multi-billion-dollar business controlled by large corporations with political and economic interests.
• Many governments rely on these companies to manage supply and rarely question the safety of added chemicals.
• The official narrative insists that “water is safe,” while independent studies show otherwise in small cumulative doses.
💡 What you can do consciously
1. Filter your water: use certified filters to remove chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics.
2. Stay informed: review independent scientific studies and local contamination reports.
3. Seek alternatives: reliable spring water, reverse osmosis systems, or domestic purification plants.