Is it safe to drink water from the hot tap?

Question

I live in Australia and someone has just recently told me that it's not good for your body to drink water from the hot tap. This is because of the copper piping. Is there any evidence that proves it is unsafe?

Answer 1

Of course it is safe.

Answer 2

nonsense

of course its safe

The amount of copper that gets in the water is negligable, and below the level your body can actually use as a nutrient.

Yes copper in miniscule amounts is actually a nutrient.

Copper assists in the formation of hemoglobin, and red blood cells... its involved in forming the pigments in your body's natural hair colour,  Copper is also involved in enzymes, involved in protein metabolism and in  healing processes, necessary for proper bone formation, and maintenance, and necessary for the production of RNA in ALL your cells.  Its also involved in the formation of elastin - a chief component of the elastic muscle fibres throughout the body.  Also copper is required for the synthesis of phospholipids, substances essential  in the formation of the protective myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibres.  Your body actually NEEDS copper.

Answer 3

I'm not exactly sure how bad it is, but I received a pamphlet from the pediatrician about lead poisoning, and using hot water out of the tap contributes to that in children. It even cautioned against cooking with hot tap water. But the cold is ok. I'm not sure how much you'd have to drink though...

Answer 4

There is nothing unsafe about drinking hot water. If you've ever heard towns where the water supply was compromised they give out a 'boil order'.

There is always a slight possibility of calcium deposits in the water heater itself but the same applies for most of your water pipes. And generally all water pipes used to be copper and many still are.