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Bottled Water vs. Tap
What's healthier for you? For the environment?
By Chris Ladd, EatingWell November/December 2007
In the last two decades bottled water has gone from extraneous to ubiquitous. Despite having one of the best public water systems in the world, Americans continue to buy more and more bottled water—per capita, 27.6 gallons last year, up from 17.8 gallons in 2000 (and only 1.6 gallons in 1976). Is it worth it?
1. 40% of bottled water—including top-brands Aquafina and Dasani—is simply filtered tap water, not water from natural springs or other “pure” sources.
2. In the United States, more than 10 million barrels of oil are used to bottle water annually—and that’s just production. Consider the oil consumption (and emissions) required to bring water to the U.S. from Fiji, for example.
3. Americans throw away 22 billion water bottles each year, over 60 million each day. It can take as long as 1,000 years for the average plastic bottle to biodegrade.
4. Numerous studies have shown that bottled water is generally no safer or healthier than tap water, despite costing up to 10,000 times more.
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
I always thought bottle water was better, but now, i need to get a filter, thanks a lot for the information.
Sonia, Provo, UT |
Tap water would be just fine except for one major problem: Fluoridation. Why is fluoride added to municipal water?... Google "The Fluoride Deception" and watch the video. The biggest problem with bottled water is the carcinogenous plastic being used to bottle water. When is the general public going to wake up?
Pierre, Sacramento, CA |
If you can't drink bottle water how can you trust a simple filter? What makes you think, a filter will stop all the chemicals in water. What about well water, chemicals are there too. Distilled is the water I drink, nothing ihn there..... Hello....
Jackie, Oley, PA |
One big problem with distilled water: It is devoid of all vitamins and minerals. The body needs more than just pharmaceutical vitamins and minerals!
Pierre, Sacramento, CA |
I have never been a big believer that bottle water was better for you than tap water. Now that I know the industry sucks up 10 million barrels of oil annually, I will certainly drink even less bottled water. Americans are spoiled by conveniences, plain and simple.....
Vicki Counos, St. Albans, VT |
I loved the water bottles but we are using our filtered water now from Pur. Is Figi's water still safe and bottled correctly? Thanks verna strode of Nebraska
Verna M. Strode, Greenwood, NE |
It is much easier to carry bottled water with you than water from the tap.
Shirley C. Rapier, Newport News, VA |
Once you buy one water bottle (they come in all shapes and sizes, in just about every grocery store and large department store like Target or WalMart) you will be good to go Shirley. Don't blame convenience when it is actually easier (and cheaper) to get your own water bottle, rather than prepackaged water.
Meagan, St Louis, MO |
Buy a water bottle made from safe plastic and fill it with tap water. Don't refill commerical water bottles because most of those plastics leach if reused. Also it perpetuates the idea of a throw away, wasteful bottle.
Pat, Raleigh, NC |
I like using mason jars for my drinking water. You can throw a lid on and bring it to work. The glass is very sturdy and so easy to clean. Some of them even come with handles and a lid, so they work for hot liquids too!
Penelope, Burlington, VT |
I don't understand any of this. So DON'T drink bottled water (like Dasani, DEER PARK, Nestle, etc.)? What does it do to your body? And what about tap? It's no better than bottled. It has lead and we don't have the money to buy all these fancy filters.
I just want to know if you can lose weight with bottled water, please help me.
Amber, Columbus, GA |
I always thought bottled water was better for your health, and more sanitary. But since i read the article i guess i'm better off just buying my own filter i save the time and money and help the earth from buying bottled water. Thanks for the information!
Simmonette, Fort Hood, TX |
I always thought that drinking plenty of water will help you lose weight. But to hear this make me wonder. Do you know i gain weight. It's the oil that did it. Thanks for the information.
Colbert, Colbert, GA |
I thought that bottled water was better, but not anymore. Thanks for the information!
Fatih, State College, PA |
I drink bottled water when I drink water because it taste better. I don't like spring water or well water. So filtered water will do me just fine.
E, Atown, IL |
I drink tap water. We use bottled water (refilled gallons) for our coffee machine so the machine stays less filled with minerals. Other than that, we pretty much use only tap.
Jenni, Gilbert, AZ |
I think now-a-days everything is always not good for you!!! I strongly believe in recycling...what is so wrong w/the bottled water? Plus tap water tastes really bad you can even smell how bad the taste is going to be. So how about boiling water--is that better?
Angelica, Pomona, CA |
I drink bottled water whenever I can. They put so much chlorine in our tap water. It's like drinking from a swimming pool. You want to be sick. I never drink tap water. If I have to, I let it run for about 1/2 hour. Or forget it. So I'll keep on the bottle! Until I run out of moola. Money. Julie Simmons, Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada.
Julie Simmons, Penetanguishene, ON |
I get distilled water delivered in 5 gal. bottles that are sterilized and reused. I use a sports bottle that I then refill from my water cooler. As for vits and minerals I get that from a healthy diet!
Annette, Lancaster, NY |
Quit being losers and just drink the water.
Veronica, Tulsa, OK |
There is nothing good about disposable water bottles. They are unhealthy for you and the planet and have far reaching negative effects on the rest of the world. If you are really concerned about your tap water contact your local water utility and ask them to send you the latest water Quality Assessment. If you live in an old house and are not sure whether you have lead pipe, get a filter. Additionally, you don't need to carry water everywhere you go. I doubt that anyone in a developed country is going to die of thirst. If you work or play and sweat a lot, then get a reuseable water bottle.
Mark, Seattle, WA |
Angelica from Pamona, CA please re-read items 2 and 3 in the article.
Mark, Seattle, WA |
Why is all these people all nagging on water. Because god put this water on earth for us to drink. And whats the big deal they all need to grow up and deal with. I only drink the tap water when making tea in the coffee pot. You might think it's funny but it works.
Ashley, Tulsa, OK |
I am fortunate in that I have my own artesian spring that I test annually for any toxic substances. In addition I filter this water for cooking and drinking. Commercial tap water, bottled water, or distilled water are not options that I consider safe. If I must use tap water for drinking, I boil it first (still water).
Jack, Naselle, WA |
In the long run, buying a filter is cheaper than buying bottled water. Best thing to do is test your tap water first - you can buy a $16 kit - to make sure your filter is the right one. You may even find, like I did, that you don't need a filter at all, and I live in a 100 year old building in New York City. If you feel you absolutely must buy bottled water - please buy locally, and look for bottles that are made of biodegradable corn rather than plastic.
Genna, New York, NY |
I am a big fan of the Nalgene bottles. I fill them with filtered Brita water and take them everywhere with me.
Autumn, Somewhere in, TE |
Tap water is regulated by the EPA while bottled water is regulated by the FDA. The EPA has stronger regulations so actually even though you think your tap water might taste funny; it's actually healthier for you. Recycling your bottled water is better than throwing it away but only something like 1% of bottles are actually recycled and then tons of oil are needed to process the recycled bottle. I like to use glass or aluminum reusable bottles. Anyway we can cut down on our dependence on plastic we can cut down on our dependence on oil. Oh, and the plastic used in bottles (even the reusable kind) have been proven to cause hormone disruptions, which is why a lot of companies recently pulled the popular Nalgene bottle off the shelves.
Stephanie, Chesapeake, VA |
I don't care for water as a beverage, but I find that I am not as tired or dragging when I drink sodas. I have a filter on my faucet in the kitchen so I don't buy bottled water.
Debbie, Gulfport, MS |
The best water I ever had was the water that came up from the springs on our farm when I was young. If I was out and thirsty I would just cup my hand over the spring and drink... Never got sick from it. It was cold and good. Now I drink tap water from our well. I also buy filtered water at my supermarket and use the refillable plastic gallons. There are way too many plastic bottles from soda, sports drinks and water getting tossed away.
Carol, Elkhart, IN |
I have tap water.
Barbara, Boston, MA |
I always buy cases of Ozarka and it tastes great. I also have a new fridge that has filtered water. After reading this I'm going to drink more of the free stuff.
Paul Hernandez, San Antonio, TX |
Does anyone have info about the chemicals used in bottled water? Contrary to what people think, this is not chemical-free but I want details? TY Marti
Marti Marchand, Strasburg, VA |
Our water system put aluminum in our drinking water and I am told that you cannot filter aluminum out no matter what type of filter that I buy. SO-- I have a well in my back yard and I use my well water for drinking and cooking.
Peggy Coffman, Lexington, TN |
One time I saw a fire hose going from the hydrant in thru the loading dock of a water bottler all summer. I reported it to the water dept. And like everything else in this town they said so what.
OJ, Cleveland, OH |
I drink crystal springs water from a 5 gallon bottle that I take to home depot to be refilled. It is less expensive than bottles and I am not wasting as much since I am reusing. Only $5.99, but I still like the taste. I don't like the way the tap water tastes here in Atlanta.
Leighann, Atlanta, GA |
We've been drinking filtered tap water for years. We've got a few stainless steel canisters for filling water and carrying around, and have cute Thermos "Funtainer" with built-in straws for our kids too. But I am guilty, I still do buy bottled water and usually keep some in my trunk because I'd rather have it handy than have to pay extra when I am out of water being out and about. Doing what we do, I'm sure our household has cut back on bottled water.
Judy, San Jose, CA |
Green tea. 2 glass.
fruts
oranoge
Rowithapope, Wallace, SC |
I drink bottled water only because we have well water and I'm not sure how safe well water is. Does anyone know?
T. Munlin, Mishawaka, IN |
I drink filtered tap water. Every once in a while I will buy a water bottle, but I only do that so that I can fill it up and take it with me. I do not like drinking strait tap water, it is gross.
Angela, Edwards, CA |
I have been drinking steam distilled water for 21 years now. We receive the minerals that we need from our food, especially fruits and vegetables.
Genny, Sunnyvale, CA |
to Amber in Columbus GA: Not to point out the obvious but did it occur to you that if you can afford to constantly BUY bottled water, you could use the money you save from NOT buying it and purchase a quality filter? I personally love my well water, and I do carry it in a recycled glass bottle.
Nonna, Putnam Valley, NY |
When I found this site I thought it would be a good source of information for eating healthy. After reviewing these articles, I'm convinced YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE! PLEASE DO THE RESEARCH ON BOTTLED WATER (Small water clusters, low ORP, higher pH, rapid hydration, antioxidants, etc) BEFORE YOU MAKE SUCH ILL-INFORMED STATEMENTS!
Donna, Mill Creek, WA |
I drink our water from the tap but my kids complain about the taste so I fill a pitcher with it, put it in the frige till it's chilled and then it tastes fine!
Lori, Florida, N. |
I drink bottled water. Our tap water tastes terrible.
Marie, San Diego, CA |
The only way you can be certain of what you're drinking is to study NSF rated home PURIFIERS (not filters) to see what elements they are capable of removing, but then you have to know what it is you want removed from your tap. Bottled water companies are marketing companies 1st & foremost. If you're worried what comes out of your tap, how can you trust these companies to remove those elements for you? Buy a home purifier and take the one-time cost. You will save significantly and get much better water that you can trust.
John Donson, St Petersburg, FL |
We're a family-owned web business with lots of info to save and filter water: www.friendsofwater.com. We also have a line of filters that will take out fluoride, chlorine, hormones, etc. A kitchen unit costs under $300 and you only need to replace filters once a year. Stop buying bottled water! Boiling water will not remove fluoride or heavy metals. Peace.
Tim Hickey, Nevada City, CA |
Well there have been studies about the PH balance in tap water, which is usually below 7.-0. figi water is the best and has been tested time and time again. Figi and Evian are 7.0 or greater in ph balance. Some people with IC like myself can't have all that acid. fyi
Lisa, Torrance, CA |
Good site to read up on. I don't promote anyone, I'm just interested in the Pro's and Con's - Look it up here: heartspring.net/water filters guide.html I'm not sold on bottled water unless you have to use it until you get the right filter system. I'm not impressed with the cost of any system at this point, so I'm doing intense research to find the right answers!!
Russ Holt, Pahrump, NV |
I drank mineral water, It's naturally carbonated cold with a twist of lemon delicious, I also drank spring water.
Crystal, Montclair, NJ |
I used to get bottled water all the time but now i just filter the water now and get a 32 oz contaner and just carry it all the time. i hate the taste of water in our home so i try to filter it all even our ice.
Dr Fetters, Avon, OH |
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