Are we really grateful for the laws that protect our water quality?President Nixon, responding to pressure from American citizens when we didn't have clean water back in the late 60's, created most of the environmental protection laws we have today. 

Let's not forget the tap water in China is undrinkable before it is boiled..... and who knows what other carcinogenic pollutants make it through to the tap (i.e.; heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals) that don't boil away!

Few of us appreciate the effectiveness of the safe drinking water act (SDWA) and clean Water Act (CWA) in our country that virtually assures us of clean tap water and the financial and criminal consequences that will occur if an individual is caught polluting our drinking water. If polluted water somehow does make it through the water system to your tap, an emergency is called and an immediate investigation and repair of the problem is the usual response. Sometimes, the drinking water plant operator will pay a fine and go to jail if they find he violated the rules that protect our water.

In China however, there's no such "right" to clean water for their citizens or visitors. For example, if your visiting China and want to drink the water, many hotel rooms have no water dispenser and are equipped with only a water heater or thermos. You can use the heater to boil water or use the water directly from the thermos. If the water in the thermos has run out, you can ask a waiter to refill it. In some cases, four- or five-star hotels may supply high-quality mineral water for free or for a minimal charge.

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