Why tap water is better

With a little extra filtration and some carbon dioxide for the sparkling effect, the bottled version is sold to you at a higher price, but it still is coming from the same source.

How can you tell the difference? Check carefully the labels and if there is a source of water mentioned on it. As for tap water, to be drinkable, it goes through a complex system of filtration and disinfection before reaching your tap. However, even with that system, microplastics and some pathogens can go through. Let's not even mention the strong chlorine taste and smell your water may have.

Our device filtration system is 15 times more effective than any other pitcher filter, clearing your tap water of all the nasty stuff that might be in it and making it safe and healthy to drink.

One argument in favor of bottled water is that it is convenient and that it can be taken anywhere. Truth is, so can filtered tap water, if you pre-fill your bottle at home! Think about it, there is nothing more convenient than tap water: it is cheap, and you can fill up just about how much you want in your bottle in one go.

Drinking filtered tap water instead of bottled water will help you save a lot of money, and you can add whatever you want to it to make it even tastier. In fact, in the United States, each person drinks approximately 30 gallons liters of bottled water per year 1.

However, due to environmental concerns and potential health effects, many people are starting to wonder whether tap water is better. Tap water, also called municipal water, comes from large wells, lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. This water typically passes through a water treatment plant before being piped into homes and businesses 2.

While contaminated drinking water is an issue in some regions, tap water is generally safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly. Currently, the EPA has set legal limits on over 90 contaminants, including heavy metals like lead and microbes like E.

Nonetheless, drinking water contamination can still occur. For example, certain regions may have greater exposure to toxins, such as industrial pollutants or bacteria from agricultural runoff 7. Additionally, old plumbing may introduce contaminants like lead, and natural disasters like floods can temporarily pollute public water systems 7.

As a result, certain toxins may be harming vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women 8. Furthermore, home water filters may improve the safety of your tap water 3. Keep in mind that the EPA only oversees public water sources. Bottled water is often said to taste better than tap water.

In general, tap water tastes the same as bottled water. Still, factors like mineral content or the type and age of your water pipes may affect the flavor. Before it reaches your house, water is stored in a treatment facility in which it undergoes several processes to remove potential contaminants. During disinfection, chemicals may be added to kill off any remaining microbes and protect against germs 3.

All of these steps utilize chemicals and energy, thereby resulting in an environmental impact. Still, the overall environmental effects of tap water are significantly less than bottled Tap water is also available at restaurants, bars, and public drinking fountains — and is almost always free. While quality may vary by region, tap water is generally safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. While some people believe bottled water to be safer, better tasting, and more convenient than tap water, several concerns surround its safety and environmental impact.

However, some products may harbor very small pieces of plastic called microplastics Animal studies and other research suggests that microplastics act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, promote inflammation , result in negative health effects, and accumulate over time in organs like the liver, kidneys, and intestines 14 , 15 , 16 , According to some estimates , bottled water is almost 2, times the price of tap water, with a gallon — obtained from combining single-serve water bottles — costing almost three times the national average for a gallon of milk.

One reason that people choose bottled over tap water despite the cost difference may be that it can be more convenient to have a bottle to hand when out and about — especially if there is no access to a faucet. Research indicates that the bottling, refrigeration, and transportation processes associated with water, as well as the disposal of plastic bottles after use, cause a wide range of adverse environmental effects far greater than those of tap water.

For example, in , the bottling of water in the U. This process required an estimated energy input equal to approximately 64 million barrels of oil. According to nonprofit organization Container Recycling Institute , every day in the U. The majority of these bottles make their way into landfills and waterways, or they litter the streets. Some people try to reuse plastic water bottles in a bid to offset some of the environmental impacts.

This may pose risks in the long-term, however, including the risk of bacterial growth and the risk of toxins leaching from the bottle. Overall, it appears that tap water is a better option in most cases. It is convenient, free or inexpensive, and has much less of an environmental impact than bottled water.

Tap water is also just as safe as bottled water, and most people will not be able to tell the difference in taste. Occasionally, bottled water may be more convenient or readily available than tap water. To remedy this, people can carry a reusable bottle of tap water with them and refill it from public drinking water facilities when necessary.

Those who prefer the taste of bottled water may wish to try a water filter. After all, a lot of bottled water is actually just filtered tap water. Or, people can try adding ice and slices of fruit to their tap water to improve its flavor.

Some people need to take extra precautions with their drinking water, especially if they have weaker immune systems, are pregnant, or are older.

These individuals should discuss their concerns with a doctor, who may advise them to drink certain bottled waters, or to boil their tap water before consumption. The type of water a person chooses will depend on many factors, including their preferences and concerns. Overall, however, it seems that tap water consumption is much better for the environment, poses fewer health risks, and tastes very similar to bottled water — especially if filtered.

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