From Glass to Bloodstream

What Really Happens When You Drink Tap Water

We all know we are mostly water.

But there’s a step many people skip:

We’re not just made of the water we drink.
We’re also shaped by what’s in that water.

If you’re a parent, a grandparent, or anyone responsible for other people’s wellbeing, it’s worth understanding what actually happens from faucet → glass → gut → bloodstream.

Once you see that clearly, choosing how to filter and protect your home stops being confusing—and starts being common sense.

Step 1: You Pour the Glass

Your tap water usually comes from one of three sources:

• Surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs)

• Groundwater (wells, aquifers)

• A blend of both

Your utility disinfects it (typically with chlorine or chloramine), filters out many solids, and must meet regulatory standards.

Those standards focus heavily on killing infectious microbes (which is good) and setting maximum allowed levels for certain chemicals (which may still be higher than what you personally feel comfortable with).

By the time the water reaches your sink, it may also have picked up:

• Metals from old pipes or fixtures

• Byproducts created during the disinfection process

• Local agricultural or industrial residues (depending on your area)

Step 2: Mouth and Stomach – Minimal Filtering

When you drink:

1. A small amount of absorption happens in your mouth and esophagus

2. The water reaches your stomach

The stomach’s main jobs are:

• Break down food

• Start digestion of proteins

• Regulate how fast contents move into the small intestine

Most dissolved contaminants are too small to be “filtered out” by the stomach. Think of it as a “mixing chamber,” not a filter.

Step 3: Small Intestine – Main Absorption Highway

The small intestine is where the real transfer happens:

• Long, folded tube with millions of tiny villi

• Huge surface area

• Thin walls loaded with blood vessels

Here, your body absorbs:

• Water

• Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.)

• Nutrients (vitamins, amino acids, sugars, fats)

But it doesn’t selectively absorb only the good stuff. If dissolved contaminants are present, many can ride in with the water and nutrients.

Examples of contaminant categories that may be absorbed:

• Disinfectants and disinfection byproducts

  • Chlorine/chloramine residuals

  • Trihalomethanes and other DBPs

• Heavy metals (if present)

  • Lead, copper, etc. from plumbing

  • Some accumulate in bones, brain, or organs over time

• Nitrates/nitrites (in agricultural areas)

• “Forever chemicals” like PFAS (in many regions)

  • Very persistent, can build up over time

• Trace pharmaceuticals & personal care products (varies by region)

  • From wastewater influence on source water

• Microplastics

  • Very small particles present in many waters worldwide

The specifics depend entirely on where you live. That’s why your local water report matters.

Step 4: Bloodstream & Beyond

Once absorbed, contaminants can:

• Circulate through the bloodstream

• Reach organs like the liver and kidneys (where your body tries to detoxify and excrete them)

• In some cases, accumulate in bone, fat, or other tissues over time

Your body is incredibly resilient and has detox systems built in—but those systems have limits, especially with chronic, low-level exposure over years or decades.

So the question isn’t, “Will one glass of water harm me?”
The question is, “What am I putting in my body day after day, and is that aligned with the health I want for myself and my family?”

Why This Matters for Families

If you’re reading this, you probably care deeply about:

• Your kids’ development

• Your spouse’s long-term health

• Your own ability to stay strong and active

• Your parents or grandparents aging well

You already invest in:

• Better food

• Exercise

• Sleep

• Stress management

But water is the daily input you can’t skip.
It’s not optional. It touches everything—digestion, circulation, brain function, temperature regulation.

So making sure the water your family drinks is as clean as reasonably possible isn’t “paranoid.” It’s logical.

Practical First Steps (No Equipment Required)

Before you think about systems, take these education-first steps:

1. Get your local water quality report

   • Most utilities post an annual Consumer Confidence Report online

   • Look for: disinfectant used, DBPs, lead, nitrates, PFAS, and any “violations” or “no detects”

2. Identify your plumbing type

   • Old home? Any lead service lines or older copper with lead solder?

   • Newer home? What kind of pipes and fixtures?

3. Track how your family actually uses water

   • How many glasses per day?

   • Do you cook with tap water (soups, rice, pasta)?

   • Do kids drink from bathroom sinks or only kitchen?

4. Notice any taste/smell issues

   • Chlorine “pool” smell

   • Metallic or musty flavors

This gives you a baseline picture before you make any decisions.

Matching Filtration to the Problem (Not the Hype)

Once you know what’s in your water and how your family uses it, you can start thinking in terms of “good, better, best” protection.

Examples:

• Good:

  • Certified pitcher or faucet-mount filter for drinking water

  • Targets chlorine taste/odor and some common contaminants

• Better:

  • Under-sink or dedicated drinking line

  • Often multi-stage filtration for broader contaminant reduction

• Best:

  • Whole-home system + dedicated drinking water system

  • Protects drinking, cooking, bathing, and breathing together

The key is alignment:

• No point in buying an expensive system that doesn’t target the contaminants you actually have

• Also no point in ignoring obvious risks (old pipes, high chlorine, known PFAS area) because “the water meets standards”