"Tap water is not sterile, meaning it might have germs in it. Waterborne germs can also grow in pipes, even when the public water system is working correctly, a small number of germs that naturally occur in the environment can still be present, and waterborne germs can grow in pipes.”
"Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites in Drinking Water"
“Bacteria are everywhere in our environment, including surface waters and groundwater. Some of these bacteria can be harmful to human health. Drinking water with disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or parasites (collectively called pathogens) can make you sick.
It is not practical to test drinking water for every type of pathogen, but it is simple to test drinking water for coliform bacteria. The presence of coliform bacteria can indicate there may be harmful pathogens in the water.”
Two main groups of bacteria found in tap water are:
Coliform Bacteria. Coliform bacteria is a group of bacteria that is naturally found in soil, plants and the digestive tracts of people and animals. ...
Heterotrophic Bacteria. Heterotrophic bacteria are generally found in all water supplies.
Biochemist here. I made injectable-grade solutions. Tap water couldn't get anywhere near the labs because it was so contaminated with crap. Lots of filters, of several kinds were employed, then distillers. The end product is what we would use in the labs, drink, use in the coffee pots and tea kettles, even bottle up to take home, because we saw what came out of the city water.
Wow. Someone doesn't like hearing a differing opinion. You said the water was free of bacteria. That isn't true.
Here's another bit of info you won't like:
"Nasal irrigation devices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly, says Eric A. Mann, M.D., Ph.D., a doctor at the FDA."
What does safe use mean? First, rinse only with distilled, sterile or previously boiled water.
Tap water isn’t safe for use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated.
Some tap water contains low levels of organisms — such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas — that may be safe to swallow because stomach acid kills them. But in your nose, these organisms can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. They can even be fatal in some rare cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Types of Water Are Safe to Use?
Distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in stores. The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.”
Boiled and cooled tap water — boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours.
Water passed through a filter designed to trap potentially infectious organisms. CDC has information on selecting these filters.
"Tap water is not sterile, meaning it might have germs in it. Waterborne germs can also grow in pipes, even when the public water system is working correctly, a small number of germs that naturally occur in the environment can still be present, and waterborne germs can grow in pipes.”
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html
"Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites in Drinking Water"
“Bacteria are everywhere in our environment, including surface waters and groundwater. Some of these bacteria can be harmful to human health. Drinking water with disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or parasites (collectively called pathogens) can make you sick.
It is not practical to test drinking water for every type of pathogen, but it is simple to test drinking water for coliform bacteria. The presence of coliform bacteria can indicate there may be harmful pathogens in the water.”
Two main groups of bacteria found in tap water are:
Source: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/bacteria.html
Biochemist here. I made injectable-grade solutions. Tap water couldn't get anywhere near the labs because it was so contaminated with crap. Lots of filters, of several kinds were employed, then distillers. The end product is what we would use in the labs, drink, use in the coffee pots and tea kettles, even bottle up to take home, because we saw what came out of the city water.
Wow. Someone doesn't like hearing a differing opinion. You said the water was free of bacteria. That isn't true.
Here's another bit of info you won't like:
"Nasal irrigation devices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly, says Eric A. Mann, M.D., Ph.D., a doctor at the FDA."
What does safe use mean? First, rinse only with distilled, sterile or previously boiled water.
Tap water isn’t safe for use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated.
Some tap water contains low levels of organisms — such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas — that may be safe to swallow because stomach acid kills them. But in your nose, these organisms can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. They can even be fatal in some rare cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Types of Water Are Safe to Use?
Distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in stores. The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.”
Boiled and cooled tap water — boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours.
Water passed through a filter designed to trap potentially infectious organisms. CDC has information on selecting these filters.
Source: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-