If you find that you are sensitive to your tapwater, do not be daunted. It may not be as great a handicap or as difficult to deal with as it first appears. Unless you are exceptionally sensitive and very unlucky, it may be sufficient to take great care with water you swallow – for drinking, cooking and in dilute drinks and foods. For these, use a bottled water that you tolerate, of filtered or purified water.
Jug filters are reasonably effective at reducing chemical contaminants and are adequate for most sensitive people. Plumbed-m filter systems are more effective and convenient.
Take made-up drinks with you- or your own water, when going to work or school. Give toddlers and young children their own cup to take to nursery or playgroups. Take packed lunches if you are concerned about water used for cooking. If you have a sensitive baby, use bottled or filtered water to make up any feeds, boiling first and preparing feeds as usual. Avoid processed foods and drinks made up with water, as described in the detection programme above. You can make up your own fruit juices, for instance, by buying fruit juice concentrate (available from health food shops or direct from wholesaler Suma. You can make your own soya milk from soya flour.
On social occasions, arrange in advance to have a water you tolerate available, or take your own bottle if you have to. Friends, family, even restaurants, are usually very accommodating if you explain the situation. Bottled waters are now widely available at pubs and cafes. For children’s parties, arrange in advance with hosts what your child will drink – if necessary, delivering a drink in advance so that your child does not appear too conspicuous.
If travelling or away from home, take a portable jug filter with you. Keep a jug filter at work, or take a flask of hot drink with you.
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