One quarter of Americans don’t drink their tap water for health or aesthetic reasons, and Canada’s Walkerton tragedy confirmed people’s worst fears when seven died from contaminated supplies. This book is a clearly written, straightforward guide to North American tap water: what’s in it, how it’s treated, whether government regulations are strict enough, and whether consumers should be concerned about what they’re drinking. It includes chapters on bottled water and home filter systems, as well as obtaining, treating and storing private water supplies, and helpful resources. Julie Stauffer has authored several books and a video on water and pollution. With degrees in biology and journalism training, she has worked in the environmental sector for almost a decade. She lives in Guelph, Ontario.