Given the wealth of information circulating on social media, certain claims about the quality of tap water are causing concern. In particular, there is the idea that the presence of female hormones, oestrogens, could affect our health. What does the scientific data actually say?

©Adobe : AdobeStock_333919000

Tap water is regularly the subject of debate, particularly on social media. Recently, many internet users and influencers have been calling on men to stop drinking tap water, claiming that it contains female hormones, oestrogens, which they say can ‘disrupt men’s natural testosterone’.

These claims are based on a misunderstanding of the drinking water treatment process. While traces of drug or hormone residues may be present in wastewater, it undergoes numerous treatment and filtration stages before being consumed.

‘In France, as in all industrialised countries, water treatment plants are designed to effectively remove this type of molecule. Oestrogens are thus degraded by 99% thanks to the physico-chemical and biological processes used.’ – Hélène Budzinski, director of the EPOC laboratory, on TF1 Info.

‘When you add up all these degradation stages, it is highly unlikely that there are significant quantities, or even any quantities at all, of oestrogens in tap water.’ – Hélène Budzinski, director of the EPOC laboratory, speaking to AFP.

These facts serve as a reminder that drinking water distributed in France meets strict health standards and is subject to regular checks. In the face of anxiety-provoking information circulating online, scientific research remains an essential source for distinguishing facts from misconceptions.

For more information: https://factuel.afp.com/doc.afp.com.93CY3WE

Informations EPOC – february 2026