Picture this: you’ve woken up in the middle of the night and decide to hop out of bed to get a glass of water. Most people are likely to run to the bathroom and get a quick drink from the faucet, right? Well, now new research shows that you may want to reconsider the way you quench your thirst.
New research from Scottish Water and WaterSafe is showing that the water we drink could depend on what room it’s coming from, and how old our house is.
The consequences of drinking tap water from an older home could be serious – with potential health risks like fatigue, headaches, and memory loss.
When we wake up parched in the middle of the night, we often reach for a glass of water without thinking twice. But according to new research by Scottish Water and WaterSafe, this might not be such a good idea if your home was built before 1970.
This is because bathroom tap water can become contaminated due to being stored in a tank at the top of an older home – making it vulnerable to birds and other common household pests.
Mains water which comes straight out of kitchen taps is much fresher, so it’s best to stick with that as long as possible in order to avoid any nasty stomach upsets or other issues down the line.
But there’s another reason why you shouldn’t just reach for that bathroom tap when you get thirsty during those late-night cravings: lead poisoning.
Before 1970, lead piping was commonly used in UK homes connected to bathroom taps – meaning that over time it can dissolve into the water supply through corrosion or decay.
The NHS Inform states that this can induce feelings like fatigue, headaches or memory loss – so if you already feel a little tender after one too many drinks then make sure you opt for a safer option next time.
To safeguard health experts are urging all households built before 1970 to check their pipes for lead and replace them with copper or plastic alternatives if necessary.
