Bottled Water - Is It Better Than Tap?

When we are thirsty what is the best option for quenching our thirst? I am confident that most doctors would say to reach for water. But, these days water is not simply turning on a faucet as our source and many people buy bottled water with overconfidence that it is safer to drink.

The FDA protects consumers on bottled water through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), which makes manufacturers responsible for producing safe, wholesome, and truthfully labeled food products. - FDA, April 2019.

The FDA provides some safety measures, but how confident should a person be before taking that first sip. Just remember, bottled water may be bottled in a safe environment because of FDA regulations but is that enough?

There are many different kinds of bottled water. Some of those names are Artisan water, mineral water, spring water, well water, and yes....tap water.

There are several types of water purifying systems like reverse osmosis, distillation, and water ozonation, but does everyone know these are from tap water and are a purifying process? Both tap water and bottled water have lead, but the difference is the quantity allowed set by FDA standards. - FDA 2019

Large amounts of bottled water are consumed by Americans but what happens to all the plastic bottles left behind when the water is gone?

Startling Facts About Bottled Water:

• 1.) Only 1 in 5 plastic bottles are recycled.
• 2.) Americans consume over 8.6 billion gallons of bottled water.
• 3.) Most tap water is more heavily tested and regulated than bottled water.
• 4.) Plastic water bottles can take between 400 and 1,000 years to decompose.

- All Filters, October 2012

If you are someone who enjoys drinking water as I do then finding the best source is probably the most important and hardest decision. Some alternatives to bottled water are water purifying systems.

1. There are mini bottle purifiers just for on the go walking, jogging or hiking.

2. There are purifying systems that hook up to a home faucet and can take

many impurities out of the tap water.

3. There are refrigerator filters that attach to refrigerators that have water dispensers.

- All Filters, October 2012

You can choose from the above list or you may decide to continue with the bottled water bought from your local store. Whichever you decide, just be mindful of what you are drinking. Also, if you choose bottled water, find a local recycling plant or devise a way where your bottles can be properly disposed of instead of ending up in a dumping site. We need to keep our planet healthy along with our bodies!