The water system was a useful invention - imagine if we had to transport the huge amount of water we use every day ourselves.

We now rely on water companies to provide us with good water and the standard is generally high.

However, there are powerful interest groups who seem to believe that our water supply could be used as a drug distribution system.

Dr John Reckless, chairman of Heart UK, recently suggested we could use the water system as a vehicle to supply cholesterol lowering drugs called statins.

Quite apart from the fact high cholesterol is largely preventable and entirely treatable with a change in diet and lifestyle, Dr Reckless appears to have overlooked the considerable side-effects of statins, such as muscle-wasting and potential limb defects.

Use statins if you must - they are now available without prescription from any chemist - but please don't inflict them on the rest of us.

Throughout history, there have always been those who have been unable to judge the risk and impact of their own activities.

Distorted facts and misleading statements can cause actual harm, even when the initial intentions are good.

Another classic example is the fluoride fiasco.

Official plans to fluoridate all drinking water in the UK (in order to reduce tooth decay in children) have received a setback with hundreds of scientists issuing a statement urging governments to stop promoting fluoridation.

They accuse health authorities of covering up studies that show the damaging effects of fluoride when swallowed, denouncing the practice of using untested industrial grade waste materials in water fluoridation programmes.

They also call for an end to the continuing misrepresentation of scientific results and the intimidation of health professionals who oppose fluoridation.

At least we can take a stand, if we so wish, where statins and fluoride in drinking water are concerned.

It's not so easy to detect which pharmaceutical residues have already seeped into the water supply as these are not tested for during water quality assessments.

A recent report by an environment agency has warned that so many people are taking (and therefore excreting) Prozac that the anti-depressant is ending up in the water system via treated sewage water.

Norman Baker, the MP for Lewes, says: "This looks like a case of hidden mass medication of the unsuspecting public and is potentially a very worrying health issue."

Four out five GPs have admitted over-prescribing anti-depressants such as Prozac and Seroxat which may have serious side-effects, including suicidal feelings, insomnia, upset stomach and impotence.

Waterborne Prozac is hardly a government plot but Mr Baker says: "It is alarming that there is no monitoring of levels of Prozac and other pharmacy residues in our drinking water."

Pure, clean water is the cornerstone of good health and providing drugs on tap, whether intentional or not, is clearly not the answer to our health problems.

The Pure H20 Company uses a process called reverse osmosis to produce a quality water without minerals, metals, toxins and hormones.

The water can be obtained from Infinity Foods, Brighton, at 25p per litre.

Or find out more about reverse osmosis filters from GM Autoflow in Horsham on 0845 1080685 or visit www.gmautoflow.co.uk Martina is a qualified nutritional therapist and works at the Crescent Clinic of Complementary Medicine and the Dolphin House Clinic, both in Brighton. Call 01273 324790 or visit www.thehealthbank.co.uk
If you have a question for Martina, write to her at Features Department, The Argus, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 8AR or email features@theargus.co.uk