Is Canadian tap water really safe?

It seems that a national myth may be responsible for deluding a reality Canadians have taken for granted for far too long. For years Canadians and most of Americans have been under the impression that our tap water is safe for consumption. Based on the fact we share several great lakes and have a privileged system of water distribution this national myth has been perpetuated for a multitude of years. However, for years, silently in the shadows of small towns, evidence has been mounting. Since the early 1980's Water Boil Alerts have been in effect in numerous small towns and cities across both of these vast nations. The number of areas with these warnings in effect are growing exponential and drinking water is not the only place where the effects are evident.

All across beaches and water fronts no swim advisories are being put into effect. With each passing year more and more public swimming areas are declared too polluted to swim in. We no longer live in a place where kids can go swimming in lakes and enjoy water sports and fishing. Even now in large bodies of water fish contain high levels of toxic contaminants.

I don't expects much of a discussion to arise from this but i feel this is an issue we should all be aware so please spread the word because depending on where you live, your life may depend on this information.

And for a look at where warnings are in Canada check out : http://www.water.ca/map-graphic.asp

For a radio broadcast : http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/popupaudio.html?clipIds=2392365865