I read the same info where Dr. Falkinham tested several waters and they were safe. I just got back from NJH and Spring Water is all they offer us. It can be so confusing at times.

First, you are right Dr. Joe Falkinham does say they have tested spring water and found it safe. He is my go-to-guy on matters of water, studying it is his career.

Remember that the hosts on most web-based chats (like the mentors here on Mayo Connect) are not necessarily medical or scientific professionals. They are volunteers who have done a lot of reading and research (like me), so can be a helpful source of information. Every commenter filters 😉 the information they read through their own brain full of knowledge, experience, perception, values and opinions.

Let me give you a pertinent example. It is very difficult for me to engage in discussions about water I occasionally sip from a bottle, or the put ice in my drinks in a restaurant. MY brain does not believe that kind of incidental exposure to NTM/MAC is a high risk. But I may have a higher "risk acceptance" than other people, so I try to step carefully. However, I do pay attention to the water in my home, where I use it all day every day.

Having a host suggest that one check to see if a bottler is using reverse osmosis, which does not remove NTM, is the opposite of good information one would hope to receive in a chat. See this article:
"Reverse osmosis(RO) filters and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, which are often used to remove chemicals from potable water, adsorb nutrient materials and may provide a means through which NTMs can multiply to infectious levels." https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?Lab=NERL&dirEntryID=18293#:

I have never sat in on one of the socials in that group, but may do so just to get a feeling for the quality of the advice. Have you found them helpful on other issues?
Sue