Are you looking for ways to be more eco-friendly and drink healthier?
Ditching bottled water for good old tap water and an eco friendly water bottle may be your solution.
We've all heard about the environmental benefits of doing this, but what about the health implications?
In this article, I examine why tap water is better than buying plastic bottled water.
Read on to find out why you should ditch the single-use plastic and start hydrating for free from the faucet…some of the reasons might surprise you!
Contents
Tap water comes from a municipal supply and is piped directly to your home.
Bottled water is bottled in a factory and then shipped to the store for you to buy.
Bottled water generally has a reputation for being a cleaner and healthier product.
But is that really the case, or is it a massive greenwashing campaign by powerful bottled water companies?
I've compared tap and bottled water across multiple categories to separate fact from fiction, and tap water is a clear winner. Here's why.
Tap water is produced through a complex water treatment process that involves several stages, including pre-treatment, filtration, disinfection, and chemical adjustment.
Pre-treatment is the first step in the process, which involves removing large solid particles, such as soil and debris, from the source water through sedimentation or filtration.
After this stage, the water is run through one or more filtration systems to remove particles to tiny sizes. These may include various types of sand filters and activated carbon filters.
Once all of these solid particles have been removed, disinfection comes next. The most common type of disinfection used for tap water is chlorination. This involves adding a chlorine gas solution to the tap water to kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present. The chlorine also helps prevent bacterial regrowth in pipes and storage tanks.
Finally, after all of these treatments have been carried out, chemical adjustment takes place to maintain an acceptable balance of chemicals in the tap water, which can include pH correction and the addition of fluoride for dental health benefits.
Bottled water is produced through a process that begins with collecting water from a natural source or municipal drinking water supply.
The source water is then filtered using several methods, such as reverse osmosis and activated carbon filtration.
After the filtration process, it is disinfected (often with ultraviolet light). This helps to kill any bacteria or viruses that may have been present in the source water.
Once the filtering and disinfection processes are complete, the bottled water is placed into bottles and shipped to stores to sell to customers.
Tap water has both positive and negative environmental impacts.
On the positive side, tap water is a renewable resource available in many areas worldwide, making it a viable source of clean drinking water.
Additionally, tap water use can help to reduce the number of plastic bottles used since people don't have to buy bottled water as often (or at all).
However, tap water also has a few negative impacts on the environment.
It requires energy to move it through the pipe network and treat it, which can increase carbon emissions. Although this energy use is still significantly lower than that of bottled water
Chemicals used in the treatment process can pollute rivers and groundwater if not properly managed, and wastewater from tap water usage can strain local resources.
The environmental impacts of bottled water consumption are much more damaging than that oftap water.
Bottled water requires a tremendous amount of energy to produce and transport since it must be collected from the source, filtered, packaged into bottles, and shipped worldwide to stores.
Additionally, many plastic bottles used for bottled water are not properly recycled and can end up in landfills or the ocean.
Finally, some evidence suggests that in certain situations (when left in a hot car, for example), chemicals from plastic bottles can leach into the water inside them, making them unsafe for consumption.
Tap water is highly regulated to ensure it meets safety and health standards set by the government.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) sets strict regulations for tap water, which require that all public drinking water be tested regularly and meet specific requirements (such as containing no harmful chemicals or bacteria).
In addition to the Safe Drinking Water Act, local water treatment facilities are monitored and inspected regularly.
Bottled water is also regulated, but there are often fewer regulations than for tap water.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets standards for bottled water production, though it does not require regular testing like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does for tap water.
Additionally, there are no requirements for monitoring the production process or inspecting each bottling plant.
Due to the lack of regulation and oversight, some bottled water brands may not meet safety and health standards.
Tap drinking water is considered safe when it meets government regulations.
The filtration and disinfection processes used in treatment plants help ensure that the tap water does not contain harmful bacteria or chemicals.
Additionally, most areas have fluoride added to their tap drinking water (by law), which can help reduce tooth decay and other dental problems.
You can boost the purity and healthiness of your tap water even further by using a water filter pitcher. This also has the added benefit of meaning you always have fresh cold water waiting for you in the refrigerator at all times.
One health concern some people might have with tap drinking water is when living in old properties with old pipework. Old and corroding lead pipes might be responsible for contaminating some tap water. A water filter pitcher will also help in this situation.
Bottled water is generally considered safe for drinking, but it's important to note that there are no guarantees.
Due to inadequate filtration and testing processes, some brands may contain harmful bacteria or chemicals.
The level of microplastics found in some bottled water is also a concern.
As reported by CBC in 2018, a study by Orb Media found at least one type of microplastic (such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, and nylon) in 93% of the bottled water brands they tested.
However, on the positive side, bottled water can be more readily accessible to those who live in areas with limited access to safe drinking water (such as the issues experienced during the Flint water crisis).
Tap drinking water is much cheaper than bottled water. The cost of tap drinking water varies depending on where you live, but it'll always be significantly less expensive than buying bottled water.
The amount you pay for your tap drinking water varies depending on where in the US you live, but most people will pay less than 1 cent per gallon. If you're unsure how much your tap drinking water costs you, the EPA has a useful guide to help understand your water bill.
Tap drinking water is also very convenient because you can access it from the comfort of your own home or workplace. And if you want to carry it around with you, you just need to plan ahead and remember to fill your reusable water bottle.
Bottled water is typically much more expensive than tap drinking water.
Additionally, it can be inconvenient because you must purchase and carry enough bottled water for your daily needs.
It also takes up a lot of space in the refrigerator if you plan on keeping it cold.
However, if you're out and you don't have any water (or an empty bottle to refill), popping into a store for bottled water is a convenient option.
Tap water has a unique taste and smell that vary depending on your city.
Most tap drinking water has added chlorine to help keep it free from bacteria and other contaminants. This can leave an aftertaste some may find unpleasant.
My favorite way to mix up the flavor of my daily tap drinking water consumption is to add a couple of slices of fruit (a lemon and lime combo is my go-to) to my water bottle. They stay in the bottle all day as I drink and top it up.
The fruit gives a subtle fresh taste to the water, and I get the added benefit of a daily vitamin C hit.
I conducted blind taste tests with my friends and family (I'm soooooo fun at parties! 🥳), and there was an almost 50/50 split between favoring drinking tap water (from a filter pitcher) and bottled mineral water.
My blind taste tests are wholly unscientific but do appear to point to the fact that people can't really taste the difference.
Bottled water can often have added minerals or flavorings to give it a more appealing taste.
Carbonated bottled water can also be a refreshing alternative, especially on a hot day.
The EWG Tap Water Database is a fantastic resource for checking out tap drinking water quality.
Yes. In fact, I'm currently researching an article about home water purification and intend to dedicate a section to distilled water. Get your details on our mailing list to be informed when this new article is published.
No. Natural mineral water is sourced from underground sources, such as aquifers or natural springs. It's known for its unique composition, which includes high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
On the other hand, spring water can come from multiple sources and must meet specific standards set by government regulation before it can be labeled as spring water.
Leading bodies such as the World Health Organization recommend that most adults drink around eight cups of water daily. However, this can vary based on numerous factors, such as age and complications caused by weakened immune systems.
Some of the leading bottled water brands that are just local tap water repackaged include:
Tap water is the clear choice when it comes to convenience, cost, and environmental impact.
It's as safe (if not safer) as most bottled waters, plus you probably won't be able to detect a difference in taste.
If flavor matters most to you, try adding fruit slices (or even purchasing an inexpensive filter) to help turn standard tap drinking water into something more premium tasting.
But what about those times when a tap isn't available?
Investing in a good reusable bottle and finding public drinking fountains for refilling will help you get your fill of clean H2O without harming the planet or breaking the bank.
Still not convinced about ditching bottled water? Maybe these facts from Harvard University will help change your mind:
- "The entire life cycle of bottled water uses fossil fuels, contributes to global warming, and causes pollution."
- "More than 17 million barrels of oil are required to produce enough plastic water bottles to meet America's annual demand for bottled water."
- "According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter."
- "Bottled water is about 3,000 percent more expensive per gallon than tap water."
- "Bottled water generally is no cleaner, or safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water."
Are you a tap water lover? Or do you have a bottled water habit you're trying to break? Drop me a line and let me know.
