Water..which is better?

[Fenris]

I use filtered tap water (for me) and mine, but that's mostly because the local acquifer is shallow and heavily contaminated by runoff. (I live on the fringes of Cancer Alley in the US, google it for a map.) And the local pipes are old and most were grandfathered in when the new EPA standards went live, so a lot still have lead solder, if not just completely lead pipes.
Tl;Dr the water from my tap fails most heavy metal and chemical pollutant quality standards, I ain't drinking that crap, and neither are my animals, heavy duty filtration ftw.

[NiceCrocs]

Bleh, I definitely don't blame you Fenris >.< that doesn't sound like something I'd drink either.

Last time I checked, Saint Louis (my city) was #9 in Tap Water Quality.

Definitely location should play a role in which water you use for yourself and pets

[greysome]

Eep, Fenris! That sounds horrifying! Like you, I also filter, rather heavily, my tap water to drink and for my hammies. We have good tap water here in MA though so if not for my chemical-sensitivities, I'd probably just be drinking plain tap water or bottled water like the rest of my family (bottled water also bothers me much to the annoyance of my parents who once decided to surprise me with like...six giant cases of bottled water)

[Thin Lizzy]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

I drink bottled water and always have done. My hammies also get bottled water.

Before I moved into my own home, I always drank tap water. But, the water supply of where I live now has never been of the same standard. But it was the job that I was in at the time that changed that, I was always filling up my cup from the water machine and some of us in the office including myself fell ill and it was later discovered that 3 dead rotting pigeons had been found in the water tank. We kicked up a fuss and got all our sick days back. Since then, it's been bottled water and for my hammies also.

[Teddy001]

I've been told by my dogs vet, that some tap water has minerals, that in some cases, can cause build up, in a dogs gut, causing stones. This may not apply to all geographical areas of tap water, but the vet suggested bottled water for my dogs. This doesn't happen often, however there's been water warnings, of contamination, in my area as well. I think I'll stick to bottled water, since I have it readily available.

[CrumbTheHammy]

I've owned three hamsters, and have always used tap water. None have had problems and have lived long and healthy lives!

(North East England)

[DrKMcK]

Brooklyn water is known for being great. I have to laugh at my sister every time she comes here because she'll stand at my sink and drink 2 or 3 glasses all at once. Pizza is superb here, also because of the water. I lived in Queens for about 7 years and absolutely couldn't drink the water there. I filtered all the water with a tap filter. I couldn't get over how filthy the shower curtains would get from the water. Here, in Brooklyn, I get no water stains at all. My hammies drink tap water, and so do I. But I am more than aware of how bad tap water can be in a number of places in the USA. I have family in quite a few states and none of them have water as good as Brooklyn does. I have no idea why, but I am happy for it. I can't drink New Jersey Water or Connecticut Water. I figure, if you are in the least concerned Teddy, go with bottled.

[Teddy001]

Yes, DrK. People here do drink the tap water, said they've never had an problem. I'm orig. from the Northwest the tap water, is so so good there! I miss the taste and purity of the water. I've lived many places, Arizona, water is dreadful, hard, and " salty". yUK! California, lived in the dessert area, same water was awful, and dirt would settle at the bottom of the glass:/..

I was just wondering if fluoride treated water was safe for hamsters, since they add that to the tap water. Was thinking of using the tap water, because we go through a lot of bottled water, weekly- I change the hams water every day, that takes 2 bottles of water per day, and the bottles of water my family drinks, adds up quickly. Think i'll stick to what working, for them. I've not tried water from NY, yet.. Thanks for the heads up, we will be venturing to Queens this Summer.

[MmeMaquet]

Personally, I wouldn't give my hams regular tap water, because you never know what might be in it. But since bottled water really does add up quickly, I boil the tap water to get rid of any bad stuff in there, making the tap water safe.

I also read somewhere that fluoride negatively affects larger pets, such as dogs, but there is no info on the affect of fluoride on hamsters.

[Pumpkinsmom]

I have the great Brooklyn tap water too lol, but I filter it through a Brita filter before we drink it or give it to the pets. We have old pipes and I'm far afraid they might have lead or something.