Actually no bottled water is not better than tap water. Really it is no different. The only regulations on the water in the bottles is that it must be from the area that it says it's from on the bottle. So if it says it is from Russia or wherever it could be out of a waterhose as long as it is from that place.

The best thing to do is buy a reuseable plastic drinking bottle and a brita filter and filter your own water. You know it is clean and you know it is fresh. Plus you aren't filling the landfills with a ton of water bottles everyday.

I do believe it is very important to stay hydrated and that always having water with you to drink is better than a soda. But, is buying "bottled" water worth the price. Not just monetarily but the long term effects. Save the planet and your wallet and go green with a reuseable bottle and filter.