bug found in tap water

[mkfeldman]

Hi All
I found this bug today swimming in a glass of water poured from the tap. Could anybody please tell me what it is?
I live in the republic of Ireland.

Thank you!

[DrD]

Your bug is in fact a mite (as can be seen from its four pairs of walking -- swimming? -- legs.

If it is really swimming efficiently, gliding through water at high speed (as opposed to moving its legs frantically to try to get the hell out of here) then It belongs to the hydracari (water mites)

How he could get into your tapwater is a mystery to me. Such an animal could never resist the chemical treatment tapwater is subject to. I therefore suspect that it is simply a regular mite that simply fell into your glass.

For a picture of hydracari looking like yours, try google (images) on hydracari

Cheers

Dr D