Is Bathroom Sink Water Safe To Drink? (Find Out Now!)

Tiffany Nichols
by Tiffany Nichols

It’s the middle of the night, and you’re thirsty. The closest drink is from the bathroom sink. But is it safe to swig? Will you get sick if you sip from the tap? The answer might surprise you.

Your bathroom sink water is perfectly safe to drink. It just might not look or taste the same as the water in your kitchen. That’s because of the different filtration systems and pipes in homes. It has nothing to do with your water quality, but you should still get it tested to be sure.

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How Is Bathroom Sink Water Safe to Drink?

Water from the bathroom sink is safe because it passes through your home’s plumbing system. It’s from the same source as all the rest. The difference is that it may not ge t filtered in the same wa y as the water from the rest of your house.

If you have a whole-house water filtration system, water quality won’t be an issue anywhere. But if you don’t have a water filtration system in your whole house, it’s different. In that case, the best H2O likely comes from the kitchen, pitcher, or jug.

That means you can drink as much bathroom sink water as you want. Plus, it might even seem colder when you take a swig. And while there’s no evidence to support this temperature difference, many people still swear it happens.

Is Water From the Bathroom the Same as the Kitchen?

The water in your bathroom comes from the same place as the water in your kitchen. There is no measurable difference between the two taps. However, if your kitchen faucet has a special filter attached, it will likely pour out clearer water.

Most of the time, you can attach a faucet water filter to your bathroom sink as well. So, you get to enjoy fresh, drinkable drips no matter where in the house you go. It’s still important to have your home’s water quality tested from time to time. Changes in the environment could render your filters useless otherwise.

TIP: Never drink unfiltered tap water without checking the quality first, even if it’s from your faucet.

Can I Get Sick From Drinking Water From the Bathroom Sink?

People rarely get sick from drinking the water from their bathroom sink. However, you can get sick if there’s something wrong with your home’s water filtration system. Low chlorine levels may invite bacteria. And that bacteria can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If your water looks dirty or smells funny, leave it alone. Tap water that smells like bleach is dangerous to drink or use for cooking. A bleachy smell is a sign that the water has too much chlorine in it. And too much chlorine can make you sick as well.

How Can You Tell If Water Is Safe to Drink?

Water quality assessments are an essential part of responsible homeownership. That’s why most county health departments run a test for you. They’ll send out an expert intermittently to check for bacteria, nitrates, and chlorine levels. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline for more information about the sources in your area.

Meanwhile, you can tell if your water is clean enough to drink without getting the county involved. Many stores have at-home testing kits for water quality. So, you can find out within minutes whether your bathroom sink spits out sippable stuff or not. If all else fails, call that hotline or get ahold of a licensed plumber.

How Do I Test the Quality of the Water?

Interestingly, you don’t even need an at-home testing kit to determine the quality of your drinking water. You can check on your own without spending extra money. All you need is a clear plastic bottle and a few drops of liquid soap.

Pour the water you’re testing into the bottle. Now, put a few drops of liquid soap in and shake vigorously. Don’t forget to replace the cap to prevent spilling. Your water quality is based on how many bubbles formed while you were shaking the bottle.

If the water looks extra soapy, it’s extra clean. But if it doesn’t lather well, it’s a sign that your water is full of heavy elements. The soap test may not help you determine whether the tap has bacteria. Still, it can help you find out why your tap water tastes the way it does.

NOTE: If your water runs clear, you’re generally okay. But if it’s oddly colored or has an odor, stop drinking it immediately.

What Are the Side Effects of Drinking Unclean Water?

Just to be safe, a lot of people choose to boil their dirty water before drinking it. Plus, some folks can develop minor infections from the bacteria in their local water supply. Also, those infections can happen even if the water supply is clean.

Their symptoms range from bloating and stomach cramps to fatigue and diarrhea. However, more severe cases are possible if you don’t recognize the signs. For example, extremely contaminated water can cause dysentery and typhoid.

NOTE: If your water supply has been stagnant for a while, don’t drink it. And if you must, always boil or filter it first.


Related Questions

Where Does the Water in My Toilet Come From?

The water in your toilet gets connected to your home’s central system. But that doesn’t mean it’s filled with fresh for drinking. It joins wastewater from the rest of your house and neighborhood. Then, it ends up at your house and in the commode.


How Do You Make Tap Water Drinkable?

Knowing how to make tap water safe to drink is crucial, especially if you live in a rural area. Boiling is the preferred decontamination method because it kills most bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Do You Need to Hire a Plumber?

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Sip Safely

You probably don’t have to worry about the quality of the water in your bathroom sink. If there’s clean water throughout your house, then your bathroom tap is safe to drink.

Related Guides

How Much Does a Water Filtration System Cost?

Why Is My Water Brown All Of A Sudden? (6 Possible Causes & Fixes)

Tiffany Nichols
Tiffany Nichols

Tiffany Nichols specializes in aesthetics, design, marketing, and manufacturing. She's a copywriter and editor for several home renovation companies in the U.S. and works alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. Her hobbies include architecture, art, mental health, and fashion.

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