Tap water is safe and does not cause stones: Iss findings

Natural mineral waters, on the other hand, are consumer goods freely placed on the market and chosen by the consumer, and meet quality standards that, in addition to guaranteeing their safety in terms of health, ensure that the quality and characteristics of the bottled water are the same as those of the water at source, taken from recognised groundwater sources.

Data on water characteristics and the results of controls are provided on the website of one's drinking water manager. On the basis of the new regulations issued by the Ministry of Health, within two years citizens will be able to find much more information on the chemical-physical characteristics of the water distributed in their areas of interest, water safety plans, and controls by the water and drinking water managers and the local health authorities, in a national platform called Anagrafe territoriale dinamica delle acque potabili (Antea), which is currently being built.

The water distributed in Italy is of adequate qualitỳ for our consumption and does not need any other treatment to make it drinkable or to avoid health risks. The only purpose of water treatment equipment on the market, which complies with specific regulations, is to modify the organoleptic characteristics of water, i.e. to make tap water, or sparkling water, more pleasant in taste and smell. If, due to specific circumstances, an event occurs for which restrictions on water use are necessary, legislation requires that citizens be informed in a timely manner. In addition, the operator and the authorities̀ are obliged to promptly restore the qualitỳ of the water and in the meantime to provide affected consumers with adequate quantities of water suitable for human consumption through alternative supplies (e.g. tankers).

In public establishments, natural mineral water, still or sparkling, must be served in its closed bottle and labelled in accordance with the specific regulations. If, on the other hand, treated drinking water in jugs is supplied, the words 'treated drinking water or treated and carbonated drinking water' must be clearly marked on the container if carbon dioxide has been added. But is it better to avoid asking for tap water in restaurants? The Iss warns that there is no reason not to, other than personal choice. On the contrary. Legislative Decree No. 18 of 23 February 2023 asks the Regions and Provinces to promote the use of tap water, also 'by encouraging or incentivising the provision of drinking water free of charge to customers of restaurants, canteens and catering services'.

But is it true that drinking water must be free of all chemicals to be good? The Iss warns that the opposite is true: water contains many chemicals that are beneficial to health and removing them is not a benefit, but a potential harm. Removing all the substances naturally present in water - for example boron, selenium, fluoride, chromium, copper or calcium, magnesium, iodine, potassium - would in fact lead to a reduction in the intake of elements essential for human health, changes in taste and damage to water networks. But does tap water cause stones?

This is a widespread belief, but false. And this also applies to waters rich in calcium and magnesium salts. The advice to use light or oligomineral waters instead of tap water to avoid kidney stones is not justified by scientific evidence. The formation of stones depends in many cases on an individual or family predisposition. Calcium is essential for our health and its intake should be reduced if a doctor prescribes it.

To ensure the maintenance of adequate levels of safety, hygiene and quality of the water in our water bottles, a few precautions can be taken. The most important are: change the water often, at least every 4-5 hours, especially if temperatures are high. Avoid filling the water bottle for use after 24 hours; clean the water bottle with two or three washes before filling it; wash the water bottle regularly (once a day) using a plastic brush and normal dishwashing detergent and rinse it with fresh running water.

If there are no specific contraindications, it is preferable to wash the water bottle in a dishwasher; wash the caps and their seals periodically (never more than a week) thoroughly with normal dishwashing detergent and rinse them with fresh running water. If there are no specific contraindications, it is preferable to wash these accessories in the dishwasher. Caps and gaskets are the parts most in contact with the neck of the water bottle where we rest our lips during use. Finally, to remove odours that may form over time, simply pour hot water and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the flask; close it, shake it, and let it sit for a few hours (overnight is best); then empty it and rinse it with fresh running water.