Home water heaters are sealed from the atmosphere.  Also, the incoming water
is usually chlorinated.  Most health departments recommend that hot water
from the heater should not be used for drinking or cooking.  In addition, to
bacteria concerns, most heaters have a zinc anode to control corrosion, you
do not need that in your body.  140 degrees is considered the temp to stop
bacteria growth.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven X. Schwenk <sxs@concentric.net>
To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Cc: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU <Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, November 25, 1997 2:56 AM
Subject: Re: Hot Water Heater Caution/Another concern

>Dennis:
>
>thanks for the tip.  why does this same problem not plague home hot water
>heaters?  is it because the temp is higher?  i guess i better add a little
>bleach at fill up, since i do not drink the water...
>
>steve...
>
>Dennis Haynes wrote:
>
>> After the water is heated to 105 for any length of time, it is no longer
>> potable due to bacteria growth.  Nasty bacteria's thrive at those temps.
>> Keep those disinfectants handy.
>>
>> Dennis
>
>
>