Seriously, Do Not Drink “Raw Water”

According to the New York Times, a new trend sweeping up Silicon Valley is “raw water”, or “unfiltered, untreated, unsterilized spring water” from start-up companies like Live Water, who delivers this magical water in glass orbs for $36.99 each and $14.99 per refill.

Shops like Liquid Eden in San Diego call their sales part of the “water consciousness movement” linked to caution about tap water which passes through lead pipes and had flouride added to it. They’re not fans of the way that the filtration removes minerals, treats water with ozone, and kills “healthful bacteria.” One manager states the raw water also has a “vaguely mild sweetness, a nice smooth mouth feel”. The problem? That mouth feel is suuuuuper full of non-heathful bacteria.

The Verge writes about the trend and disproves the claims, saying that while the water might look clean “‘it can still be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other contaminants,’ the CDC warns.” There is animal poop in that water. You are drinking poop water. Additionally, “Chemicals like arsenic, metals like uranium, or contaminants from agricultural activities like nitrates can leach into the groundwater that supplies both wells and springs.”

More lines to highlight about “raw water”:

•  “It stays most fresh within one lunar cycle of delivery. If it sits around too long, it’ll turn green. People don’t even realize that because all their water’s dead, so they never see it turn green.” – Founder of Live Water, Mukhande Singh
• Tap water? You’re drinking toilet water with birth control drugs in them. Chloramine, and on top of that they’re putting in fluoride. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it’s a mind-control drug that has no benefit to our dental health.” – Singh, again.

When places like Flint had to fight so brutally and painfully for clean water, how messed up is it that “water consciousness” takes the form of pseudo-scientific branding that allows people to sell parasite water to rich fools? Please, for the love of all that is good, do not drink unprocessed water.

(via Eater, image: MECC)

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