Differant kind of fear. Water....

[Kyle99009]

I have been drinking nothing but soda and Kool Aid for a long time because thats all my family buys. I recently read the Soda and Kool Aid are 2 of the worse things when it comes to kidney stones... The problem is, we dont buy bottled water, or any kind of filtered water. And, as embarassing as it is to admit, im afraid to drink tap water with all the horror stories you hear of what you can catch from it.
Is that an irrational fear? I live in Grants Pass, Oregon by no means is it a dirty town or anything. So should i worry?

[Princein]

My father works for the reservoir in my state and they make sure water goes through rigorous cleaning processes before it's released to the public, but it may interest you to know that most bottled water is just filtered tap water.

So you can either invest in a filter or just go for the faucet and i'd suggest it because nothing calms down my anxiety like a cool, tall glass of water. 

[sixpack]

I completely agree with Princein....

AND tap water is safe.

If you lived in a very underdeveloped country or lived on your own personal well water, you might have a problem.  but US water supply is fine.  I believe we've come to believe (probably from the bottled water people selling us bottled water) that tap water is dirty or unsafe.  That is rubbish.  I drink faucet water all of the time.  As do my kids and hubby.  The only time we buy bottled is when we are out at an amusement park or other outdoor activity and away from home.

Additionally I think your getting too worked up about kidney stones.  Kool-aid and soda aren't the best for you, obviously, but lots and lots of folks drink these beverages and aren't getting kidney stones left and right.

[marc]

Tap water should be safe. You could always buy a filter which is pretty inexpensive to
put on your faucet to make you feel better.

[AOKAY]

Kyle,
Just a warning about those faucet filters.  I used one and it caused my sensitive stomach symptoms of bloating and gas to get even worse.  I removed the filter and the symptoms eased back to their "normal for me" level.  Just saying, while those filters are probably fine for 99% of the population, one size does not fit all. 
City tap water is tested and tested and should be fine without filtering.  If you live in an old house or apartment and aren't sure about the pipes inside the building, try the faucet filter for peace of mind.  (But if your belly starts acting-up, don't say I didn't warn you! )

[gridder]

AOKAY - I really think that you have made made an association between the water filter and your stomach issues where it was probably due to something else. I have never heard of anyone being sensitive to the materials they use in those -- unless perhaps it aerated your water just a little introducting a miniscule amount of air into your system.