Drinking Spring Water

[joggerjayne]

There's a letter in this month's Running Fitness magazine from a reader who lives in the Malverns, and who says she's lucky because, when she runs, she can refill her water bottle from natural springs.

Would anyone here drink spring water around where they live?

Is it safe?

Isn't it full of bugs, and dead sheep?

[sherrardk]

My husband's showroom is in Malvern and he says people queue up to fill bottles with the water from the springs - I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. It does come out of ornate, stone well things though, it's not just bubbling out of the ground.

[joggerjayne]

It must come from somewhere up in the hills, and I'd worry about what might have died in it.

[gingejbee]

Depending on where it's"sprung" from, it could be loaded with bacteria or be virtually sterile. Or it could be chemically unsuitable- with very high nitrate content, for example.

[joggerjayne]

I think this woman in Running Fitness just scoops it up out of holes in the ground.

[joggerjayne]

"Yuck" to the bacteria thing!

I might rinse my face in it, perhaps.

[sherrardk]

I think coca-cola (or whatever it's called) has recently shut it's bottling plant in Malvern. I don't think it's much different to 'famous' brands of spring water, it's just free (people fill the boots of their cars up with bottles of the stuff).

[DTCwordfan]

Jayne - I grew up in a house fed by its own spring - pure sweet water filtered over thousands of years in limestone sequences and slate.....no bugs, no dead sheep.

sherrard, I cant's really see any harm in Malvern if it is genuine spring water.

Even mountain streams that are fast running are ok to drink - if there is a dead sheep in it, you are ok drinking water within 5 yards upstream but the Rescue recommended not drinking it within 300 yards downstream, adjusting the distances given the flow rate......

[giveup]

Tried the water in Bath, it was'nt too bad.But the water in Harrogate tasted of bad eggs and it stayed with me all day.

[JonnyBoy12]

We can get free spring water from where I live as well, but think there is bugs in it also.

I use a ceramic water filter which I have kindly listed below. I have had it for many months and the water is nearly as good as spring water. See the link below:

http://www.healthy-ho...-gravity-water-filter

[joggerjayne]

That looks good, JB.

[DTCwordfan]

thats the sulphur in the water probably, giveup......

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, I thought you would be impressed, JJ. It has served me well, but have you seen the price of it? You have to replace the filters at least once per year, but you really can taste the difference. Much better than Brita filters if I can mention that name on this site?

[gingejbee]

...actually, it's the hydrogen sulphide in the water, DT

[DTCwordfan]

I was keeping it simple, ginge - and there are references to the S water.....

http://pubs.rsc.org/e.../1921/an/an9214600125

[DTCwordfan]

and http://www.harrogate-...te.php?page=harrogate

[gingejbee]

Well, my water chemistry is slightly more up-to-date than either of those references!

[jno]

can't see how it would have dead sheep in it if it's a spring - if it's further downhill and become a river, that's different.

Shame if people are terrified of natural water until the water companies have had their way with it.

[DTCwordfan]

can you share the website with the composition then?

[giveup]

All I wanted was the fountain of youth when I drank them. It did'nt work.

[DTCwordfan]

actually sulphates ginge

http://www.harrogatespringwater.co.uk/faqs.php and I would surmise that this one is upto date....