Your Parents Did... But Should You Drink Out of the Hose?

When your parents were young — or, perhaps, even when you were — one would grab a quick drink from the garden hose without a second thought. While you all might have survived to tell the tale, drinking hose water today might not be the wisest choice.

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Before you reach for that hose on a hot summer day, there are some important facts you should know about drinking hose water and whether it's actually safe for consumption.

Is Hose Water Any Different From Indoor Tap Water?

While both garden hose water and indoor tap water may come from the same municipal source, they differ significantly by the time they reach your lips. Indoor plumbing is specifically designed to deliver potable water safe for human consumption, with pipes that meet strict health standards. On the other hand, garden hoses aren't manufactured with drinking water in mind.

The primary difference lies in the materials used. Indoor plumbing typically uses copper, PEX or other materials approved for drinking water, while standard garden hoses are made from various plastics and rubber compounds not intended for consumption. These materials can leach chemicals into the water as it sits in the hose, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight.

Is It Safe to Drink Water From a Garden Hose?

The short answer is generally no. Standard garden hoses aren't designed to deliver drinking water safe for human consumption. Several concerns make hose water potentially unsafe:

• Material composition. Most garden hoses contain plasticizers, BPA, lead and other chemicals that can leach into the water.

• Stagnant water. Water sitting in a hose, particularly in warm weather, creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth.

• No regulation. Unlike indoor plumbing, garden hoses aren't subject to the same strict regulations for potable water systems.

• Heat exposure. Hoses left in the sun can heat water to temperatures that accelerate chemical leaching and bacterial growth.

Research by the Ecology Center found concerning levels of lead, phthalates and BPA in water from standard garden hoses, with some samples containing high levels of lead exceeding drinking water standards by 18 times. When water sits in a hose on a hot day, these chemicals leach more readily into the water, potentially creating a cocktail of contaminants you wouldn't want to ingest.

Are There Drinking Water-Safe Hoses Available?

The simple answer is yes. If you need a potable drinking water hose for camping, RVs or other applications, specially designed options exist. When shopping for a drinking water-safe hose, look for:

• Labels specifically stating "drinking water-safe" or "lead-free"

• NSF/ANSI 61 certification for drinking water components

• Materials like medical-grade vinyl or polyurethane

• Products marketed as "RV water hoses" or "marine water hoses"

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How Can You Make Hose Water Safer?

If you must use a garden hose for water that might be consumed:

• Run water through for several minutes before use to clear stagnant water.

• Use cold water only.

• Keep hoses out of direct sunlight when not in use.

• For camping or emergencies, use a portable water filter after collecting hose water.

• If you regularly need drinkable water outdoors, invest in a certified drinking water-safe hose.

Remember that these precautions reduce but don't eliminate risks from standard garden hoses.

The Bottom Line on Drinking Hose Water

While the occasional sip from a garden hose probably won't cause immediate harm, regular consumption of hose water poses unnecessary health risks. For safe outdoor drinking water, invest in a certified drinking water-safe hose or bring water from your indoor tap in appropriate containers.

The nostalgic image of drinking from the garden hose may be part of countless childhood memories, but with what we now know about water safety and chemical exposure, it's a practice best left in the past. When it comes to hydration, it's always better to err on the side of caution and seek out sources you know are safe.