The bottled water everyone trusts may be the riskiest
Source: Science Daily
A new study led by Washington State University researchers in Guatemala found that drinking water sources widely believed to be clean and safe often contain harmful bacteria.
The research focused on Guatemala's Western Highlands, where scientists compared what people think about their drinking water with what laboratory testing actually revealed. Many residents viewed bottled water sold in large refillable jugs as the safest choice. However, testing showed that among the 11 water sources examined, bottled water was the most likely to contain coliform bacteria, which signal fecal contamination. The study was published in the Journal of Water and Health.
"We found there is a clear disconnect between what people believe about water safety and what's actually happening in their homes, and that can have major public health implications," said Dr. Brooke Ramay, lead author and assistant research professor in the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine's Paul G. Allen School for Global Health.
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LINK:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074031.htm