Waiting for water to boil can feel like watching paint dry. Reaching for your hot tap might seem like a convenient shortcut—the water is already scalding, after all—but have you ever stopped to wonder what the difference is between hot and cold tap water? Is hot tap water safe to drink?
At Complete Home Filtration, we are passionate about empowering Australian homeowners with safe, clean water. As the weather heats up and even the cold tap takes a few seconds to reach a non-searing temperature, it is more important to understand the conversation between cold and hot water than ever. This article explores the hot water safety question and provides important context to help you make informed choices for your health and home.
What’s In Your Tap Water?
To understand why drinking hot tap water might be concerning, it is important to consider how your water makes its way to your tap in the first place. In Australia, tap water undergoes stringent treatment processes to ensure it meets national drinking water standards. However, the quality of water delivered to your home can still vary significantly based on local infrastructure, the condition of your plumbing, and even the water’s journey through your pipes.
Tap water often contains trace minerals and additives like chlorine or fluoride. These chemicals are added to the water in line with government water treatment regulations and are strictly regulated to stay within safe margins. However, when water is heated, its properties change, which can affect the composition of any chemicals present—and not always for the better.
Why is hot tap water bad for you?
The main concerns around drinking hot tap water arise from the heating process and the materials used in plumbing systems. While boiling is widely known to kill bacteria and make your water safer to drink, less extreme heat can have the opposite effect in several ways:
1. Leaching from Plumbing Materials
Hot water can interact with pipes, fittings, and fixtures in ways that cold water does not. In older homes, plumbing systems may be worn down or contain disused materials like lead. When water is heated, it becomes more likely to dissolve and carry small amounts of worn metals into your water supply.
- Lead Exposure: Even low levels of lead exposure can be harmful, particularly for young children and pregnant women. Lead can impair brain development, affect behaviour, and increase the risk of health issues over time. While lead pipes are no longer installed in Australia, they may still exist in older properties or in certain plumbing components like fittings and solder.
- Copper Leaching: Copper is less concerning than lead but can still pose health risks in large quantities. Overexposure to copper may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or, in extreme cases, liver or kidney damage.
2. Water Heater Contamination
Most water heaters are not designed with drinking water in mind, focusing more on providing hot water for washing and showering rather than keeping that water as bacterially safe and uncontaminated as possible. Sediments, rust, and microbial contaminants can build up in hot water systems over time.
The interior of a water heater can also become a breeding ground for bacteria, particularly if the water temperature is not high enough to kill harmful microbes like Legionella or E. coli.
3. Concentration of Chemicals
Heating water can increase the concentration of certain chemicals, such as chlorine byproducts or nitrates. While these substances are generally safe at low levels, heating them can sometimes intensify their presence, potentially making the water less suitable for consumption.
This is also an issue for chemicals like fluoride and heavier particles like dissolved minerals which cannot be removed through boiling. When heated water boils away, these impurities remain, increasing their concentration by affecting the water-to-chemical ratio.
Is cold tap water safer?
Drinking cold tap water is generally safer than hot water. Can you drink hot tap water? Yes, but cold water is less likely to foster bacterial growth or dissolve contaminants from pipes and plumbing materials.
However, even cold tap water may not always be as clean as you would like—especially if you live close to a treatment facility and have elevated chlorine levels in your supply. You may also have quality concerns if your local water supply is affected by issues like sediment, ageing infrastructure, agricultural runoff, or hard water.
At Complete Home Filtration, we understand these challenges and offer whole-home solutions designed to remove impurities, ensuring your water is safe and tastes fantastic—whether it’s hot or cold.
How to make sure your hot water is safe to drink
If you need hot water for drinking or cooking, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure it is as safe as possible:
1. Start with Cold Water
Always use cold tap water for drinking, cooking, or making hot beverages. Boil the water in a kettle, on the stove, or with a filtered hot water dispenser to achieve the desired temperature. It takes longer than running the hot tap for a few seconds, but the results are worth the wait.
2. Install a Filtration System
A whole-home water filtration system, like those offered by Complete Home Filtration, can remove impurities such as heavy metals, sediments, and chlorine before the water reaches your taps. For added peace of mind, you can pair this with a point-of-use filter for your drinking water. One of our reverse osmosis water purifiers can help strip away excess minerals, softening your water to significantly reduce limescale in your kettle.
3. Maintain Your Plumbing and Water Heater
Regularly inspect your plumbing system and ensure your water heater is serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Flushing your water heater annually can help reduce sediment buildup and improve water quality.
The Complete Home Filtration Advantage
The best way to protect yourself and your family from water concerns is to understand exactly what is coming out of your taps. A Complete Home Filtration system gives you the confidence that your water is clean and free from impurities, no matter where it comes from in your home.
Our systems are designed specifically for Australian conditions and can address common water concerns such as heavy metals, chlorine, and hard water minerals.
With a whole-home filtration system, you can enjoy:
- Cleaner water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
- Protection against contaminants that may leach from pipes or plumbing fixtures.
- Reduced reliance on single-use bottled water.
Final Thoughts: Should You Drink Water from the Hot Tap?
The short answer is no—it is best to avoid drinking water directly from the hot tap. While hot tap water is generally safe for tasks like washing and cleaning, it is not meant for consumption. By sticking to cold tap water for drinking and boiling it as needed, you can reduce your exposure to potential contaminants and ensure your water remains safe and healthy.
For the highest level of quality and protection, consider upgrading your home with a Complete Home Filtration system. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enjoy clean, safe water throughout your home—just send us a message below or call 1300 693 458
