Tap or bottled? Advocates, dentists combat distrust of tap water

“Public health officials and dental experts say many immigrants and communities of color distrust tap water because the water in their native countries was unsafe, or because old pipes in their homes affect color and flavor.

The Community-University Health Care Center’s dental clinic is located in south Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood, and was founded with the goal of providing healthcare to low income community members. The clinic serves many recent immigrants to Minnesota. As part of their exam questions, dental providers at the clinic make it a point to ask families, “Do you drink city water, or bottled water?” I t’s a question most families have been fairly receptive to, said dental manager Joanne Flores.”