Modern indoor plumbing delivers clean, safe, potable water to each fixture point in the reticulation system. It is imperative that the clean water not be contaminated by the waste water disposal side of the plumbing system. Historically, this contamination of drinking water has been the largest killer of humans. Specific chemical compounds are often added to tap water during the treatment process to adjust the pH or remove contaminants, as well as chlorine to kill biological toxins.
Local geological conditions affecting groundwater are determining factors for the presence of various metal ions, often rendering the water “soft“ or “hard“. Tap water remains susceptible to biological or chemical contamination.
In the event of contamination deemed dangerous to public health, government officials typically issue an advisory regarding water consumption. In the case of biological contamination, residents are usually advised to boil their water before consumption or to use bottled water as an alternative. In the case of chemical contamination, residents may be advised to refrain from consuming tap water entirely until the matter is resolved.
In many areas a compound of fluoride is added to tap water in an effort to improve dental health among the public. In some communities “fluoridation“ remains a controversial issue. As the fixtures and appliances perform their function, most produce waste/sewage that will require removal by the waste/sewage side of the plumbing system.
Tap water can sometimes appear cloudy, and this is often mistaken for a mineral impurity in the water. Cloudy water, also known as white water, is actually caused by air bubbles coming out of the water. Because cold water holds more air than warm water, small bubbles will appear in water with a high dissolved oxygen content that is heated or depressurized, because this reduces how much dissolved gas the water can hold. This condition is completely harmless, and the cloudiness of the water disappears quickly as the gas is released from the water.