- (HealthDay News) — Depending on where you live, the water that
comes from your tap can be just as safe as bottled water.

But in some people, common pollutants found in tap water can pose a
greater health hazard. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
offers this list:

• People with a weakened immune system.
• People with HIV/AIDS.
• People who take steroids.
• People who are being treated for cancer.

Young children are at greater risk of harm from lead that's found in
older pipes. To avoid this hazard, use only the cold tap for drinking
water, and let it run for a minute if you haven't used the tap in more
than six hours.

On the other hand, children will benefit from the cavity-fighting
fluoride found in public tap water. Most bottled waters do not contain
fluoride.