Site navigation and social media links
Bottled or Tap?
Health | November 29, 2014
These days bottled water has become more of a style accessory than a conscious choice toward a healthier lifestyle. Water, is course, an absolute necessity. Still, many are under a somewhat misguided assumption that bottled water is, in fact, much healthier and safer than regular tap water. To some degree, this may be true, but not to the extent that bottled water manufacturers would have us believe. Ironically enough, bottled water has some of its own issues to deal with as well.
EPA and FDA
In what amounts a to an oddly bureaucratic maze here in the U.S., regular tap water is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EPA is in charge of overseeing public water supplies while the FDA provides oversight for food products. Both are in charge of making sure that the water we consume – be it tap water or bottled water – is safe to consume. I know, I know this made my head hurt a bit and I’m sure yours does as well! The main thing to understand here is that both tap water and bottled water are regulated and tested to provide some measure of protection when we drink it.
So Which one is Healthier?
Whether or not bottled water is healthier or safer than tap water is, in many ways, a matter of perception and individual choice. The Safe Drinking Water Act that passed in 1974 insured that public tap water would be regulated and treated for microbes and bacteria. As result, tap water contains chlorine to protect against waterborne illnesses. While that may sound unappealing – and it may very well be – think of dysentery outbreaks in rural parts of Africa or elsewhere to have a better understanding of how dangerous a contaminated water supply can be. Strangely enough, tap water also contains fluoride here in the U.S. to provide some additional protection for our teeth (honestly, that’s weird to me). Still, the addition of chemicals to any thing we consume in such large amounts should make us, at the very least, cautious.
Bottled water may come to the rescue for those of us wary of the chemicals used to treat and disinfect tap water. However, though bottled water is usually not disinfected with chemicals, it’s also more susceptible to microbes and bacteria if proper safety checks aren’t effectively followed, especially during transportation and storage. Another significant concern regarding bottled water is the very plastic used in the bottles themselves. Aside from the environmental toll all the discarded plastic bottles create, some disposable plastic bottles still contain chemicals similar to bisphenol-A (BPA) – a notorious chemical found in some hard, reusable plastic bottles amongst other things.
Personally, I’m not sold on either bottled water or tap water. I find the most effective method in terms of safety and cost is to just filter my own tap water. In fact, many bottled water manufactures do just that except that they charge us an arm and leg for the favor. It’s all bit confusing, but one thing I’m certain of right now is that I’m really thirsty!
How do you drink water? Is it a conscious decision for you when you drink tap water or bottled water? Let me know!
P.S. Even Smalls drinks only filtered tap water.
Private Member |
astoria, or, usa
Totally agreed. We even have a filter on our shower head and that simple step cleared up my husband’s eczema. In fact, he has a break out every time he has to use a hotel shower. I’d love a whole house water filter but those are very expensive, so for now we just filter our drinking and bathing water through the fridge and the shower.
Private Member |
I use a Brita filter at home. I’m skeptical about its benefits, but it’s become a habit. I will still drink tap water though, and will choose it over bottled water any day.
Bottled water IMO is one of the most environmentally destructive and wasteful practices that modern society has created. It goes further than just the creation and disposal of millions of plastic bottles every year: The processes involved in manufacturing the product is destroying the cities in which its made. For more info I recommend watching a documentary called “Bottled Life”.
Great article!
Private Member |
I love your picture of Smalls! It makes me smile. Simply adorable!!!
Private Member |
los angeles, ca, usa
I used to buy water bottles but it’s costly… now, we’re using filter, it’s cheaper and practical… I can drink either of the two but I’m more concern about saving $$$. 😛 ….Zuz, my drinking habit is still suck. 🙁 I need help!!! The best thing about doing your workouts, that’s the only time that I can really drink alot… I don’t know, most of the time, I’m not thirsty. I know I must drink but how can we force ourselves to drink though you don’t feel thirsty? Can you please give us insight or thoughts more about it ‘again’???
Private Member |
We use a Berkey filter system (the BIG Berkey) and love it! We use glass water bottles and just keep them topped off with the filtered water. They also make Berkey Water Bottles as well which are great to take to work, on trips, etc.
Private Member |
Berkey**
Private Member |
This may be an old wives’ tale, but I recall a story of a dentist back when the US still had territories who discovered his patients who drank water naturally infused with flouride had healthier teeth than his former patients where he had trained in dentistry. It was discovering the flouride in the water which lead to the creation of flouride for dental care.
I like filtered tap water. It tastes better than normal tap water. I think bottled water creates a lot of waste and should not be the go-to drinking option for water … plus it’s more expensive. You can get a Brita water pitcher for under $10 that will last you 6 months and the filters are cheap.
Private Member |
I just drink tap water. Nonsense filtered tap water, and is not safe! Water filters and ionizer systems, make alkaline water. Get rid from the physiologically important ions and vitamins. It’s not a good idea. If it would be so important to filter more the tap water, they already further filtered and ionized centrally. It should not be fooled by the MLM companies, it’s all nonsense, expensive and more harm than good. Bottled water: many elements not detected them, that is not mandatory in the example, the amount of arsenic. Other elements either. However, many of these located in the mineral waters, more than what is allowed in tap waters. (this topic has already been a lot of controversy in Europe. ) Basically, sodium or potassium mineral type can have. this or that predominates. Any other brand and slogan are redundant. (I do not understand here healing waters available in pharmacies, which are not mineral water for normal daily consumption). And yes my parents chemists and I’m an environmental researcher. 🙂 so i live in Europe but i believe for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) better than Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So just believe in “Protection” not “Administration” 🙂
Private Member |
Z, what filter do you use?
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
I buy steam distilled water, and then re-mineralize it with a liquid trace minerals supplement. One bottle lasts me about 50ish gallons so it’s all good. It’s Concentrace Trace Minerals, comes from the Salt Lake, and has had most of the sodium removed. This way you know your water is devoid of everything, and you can remineralize it to make it healthy again. I’m lucky to have a local steam distiller, and I can even go use their outdoor dispensers during afterhours…
Private Member |
filtered tap water all the way! I can taste the chlorine in unfiltered tap water and bottled water is gross and polluting.