or is it the same as drinking tap water from the sink?

i use filtered water.

I do have a Brita water filter!

In a standard coffee/tea brewer, the water is NOT filtered. Here in western Arkansas, we have really good tap water so it isn't necessary. However, some parts of the country have such poor water quality that all drinking water must be filtered (usually, a sizable gizmo that is screwed onto the faucett). My friend in Mississippi has terrible water and everyone there has to budget in water filter systems or plan on buying bottled water...due to heavy metals and chemicals in the water table. In fact, the University of Mississippi, as a major selling point, has a two page spread describing the wonderful water purification system designed for their campus...LOL