Bottled Water vs. Tap Water: Which is really safer?
posted by: Ann Pietrangelo 159 days ago
Do you drink bottled water because you believe it to be safer and healthier than tap water?
In our efforts to make informed decisions and take responsibility for our own health and well-being, it makes sense to take a hard look at one of our most basic health needs -- safe drinking water.
While tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and state and local governments, bottled water is the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration, and according to the non-profit consumer organization, FoodandWaterWatch.org:
40 percent of bottled water originates from the tap, with added minerals or filtration.
Municipal water is not permitted to contain E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria. FDA rules for bottled water include no such prohibitions.
Municipal water from surface sources must be filtered and disinfected, or it must have strict pollution controls. There are no filtration or disinfection requirements for bottled water at the federal level. The only source-water protection, filtration or disinfection provisions for bottled water are delegated to the states.
Cities must have their water tested by government-certified labs. No certification requirement exists for bottlers.
Municipal tap water must be tested for coliform bacteria 100 or more times per month. Bottled water plants only have to test once a week.
In a June 9, 2009 report to Congress, the Government Accountability Office, stated:
FDA and state bottled water labeling requirements are similar to labeling requirements for other foods, but the information provided to consumers is less than what EPA requires of public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Like other foods, bottled water labels must list ingredients and nutritional information and are subject to the same prohibitions against misbranding.
In 2000, FDA concluded that it was feasible for the bottled water industry to provide the same types of information to consumers that public water systems must provide. The agency was not required to conduct rulemaking to require that manufacturers provide such information to consumers, however, and it has not done so.
Nevertheless, GAO’s work suggests that consumers may benefit from such additional information. For example, when GAO asked cognizant officials in a survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, whether their consumers had misconceptions about bottled water, many replied that consumers often believe that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap water. GAO found that information comparable to what public water systems are required to provide to consumers of tap water was available for only a small percentage of the 83 bottled water labels it reviewed, companies it contacted, or company Web sites it reviewed.
Above and beyond the health issue, bottled water comes at a much higher price than does tap water, both economically and environmentally. That’s two strikes against bottled water. So is it really safer than tap water?
More on water: 25 Things You Might Not Know About Water
Read more: environment, fda, health policy, bottled water, tap water, government accountability office
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Note to those folks who suspect that their tap water is a source of bacteria: it's possible that your water heater is harboring the bacteria. Most of us set our water temperatures around 120 F. but that is not high enough to kill bacteria. You can try raising the temp to 140 to kill bacteria, then set it back. To avoid scalding, put notes over all sinks while the temperature is raised. Then drain the water heater according to method recommended by manufacturer. (Turn power off first.) One source of info is http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Water/customer/FAQ/supply/waterheater.htm . Alternately, you can add chlorine to disinfect the water heater; instructions are on the web.
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why is this inappropriate?
Brita filters and Pur filters do not filter out the hazardous waste material, fluorosilicic acid, known at "fluoride." For more information on just how harmful fluorosilicic acid can be, click:
http://www.fluoridealert.org
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why is this inappropriate?
oh, and the expiration date on bottled water is simply because if left for a lengthy time, the water will begin to taste funny. But isn't this true of anything? Don't leave your water in the sun, or near a heating source because it will turn green; if you store water for emergencies, and you've had it for a year or more, it may taste funny.
Back on the safety issue ... does everyone on this post drink organic milk? If not, think of the hormones and antibiotics you're getting in that! Soda ... don't even get me started! Seriously, people ... give me a break!
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Those of you who use the Brita Filters or something similar ... how often do you change your filter? The filter is only good for a short time, and with each day, it's effectiveness decreases. So, while it may remove some things on the first use, it will be less and less effective with each passing day. Also, those filters do not remove ALL harmful chemicals. Read the fine print. Do a test yourself. The spring water company I work for tests our water daily. I'll take bottled SPRING water over tap water or filtered water any day! And those of you concerned about the plastic bottles ... do you have a microwave? Do you reheat foods in plastic containers? Do you use saran wrap or sandwich/storage bags? People get hooked on one item that's in the news ... the bottles that contain BPA ... think of all the other things you use on a daily basis that are so much worse. How many of these people are smokers? Think about it.
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Although plastic bottles are dangerous or toxic, I would prefer that risk over trusting my local water supply. Whatever government safeguards are theoretically in place do not make my tap water safe. I have to boil my water, let it cool, and run it through my water filter 10x, just to make it taste half way decent and to be a clear color. I have had a few infections that have been linked to my drinking water. I would take whatever risk to buy FDA REGULATED bottled water, with a great taste and the proper amounts of minerals. I am happy to pay extra for such a privilege. I believe the world to be very important and I want to save it for the future. However, I believe my health is better served with bottled water and I have some choice 4 letter words for anyone who would try to take that healthier, better tasting option from me.
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Bottled water which does not contain the hazardous waste material, fluorosilicic acid, known as fluoride, should be available to the public.
California has DOUBLED the amount of the hazardous waste material, fluorosilicic acid, called fluoride, we are forced to ingest if we drink tap water! Many water filters do not remove fluorosilicic acid and many families cannot afford the more expensive filters that do, or they do not want to invest in expensive filters when they are not property owners.
In a Press Release on June 3, 2008, the Lillie Center, a Georgia-based health training firm, discusses the National Kidney Foundation’s new position paper: “Kidney Foundation Admits: Kidney Patients Should be Notified of Potential Risk from Fluorides and Fluoridated Drinking Water.”
On November 9, 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued an alert advising parents to avoid fluoridated water when reconstituting infant formula. Does this sound like fluoridated tap water is a good idea for infants and very young children? How many poor families are likely to have expensive water filters, which remove fluoride, in their homes?
To learn much more about the dangers of fluorosilicic acid or fluoride to your health, your family's health, and your pets' health, click http://www.fluoridealert.org.
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why is this inappropriate?
I think it depends where you are and how good your tap water is. We have well water where we live, but it doesn't taste bad like rotten eggs or anything like some do, up north at a cabin are gross and I won't drink that! That's Nasty! Sometimes our place puts a notice out not to drink the tap without boiling it because of a water main breaking and could have contamination in it. I drank it anyways cause I put it in that Brita pitcher thingy, but I still got sick from it, so had to buy gallons of waters and bag of ice. I love ice water and it would be to hard to pour gallons of water into ice cube trays, some would end up going down the sink. Sometimes are water looks yellow or rusty! YUK!! Can't imagine that being good for anyone! But I heard they have to put fluoride in the tap water or to many people would have rotten teeth! It helps fight cavities! Not sure if that or chlorine are bad for you to drink. I don't know if I believe all the meds flushed down the toilets really go back into are drinking water. They must get filtered out somehow! Whatever you do, I heard "Don't drink the water in Mexico!!!" You should take your own bottled water there!
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Oh yeah, and I also definitely don't support the commodification of necessities, much less WATER, something that has always been free.
If you're at a restaurant, drink the tap water they give you, or ask for it. Don't drink the bottled stuff just because of pretense or socially conditioned fears. Please.
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The only thing that matters to me is that public water is tested for toxic chemicals and held to a certain level of accountability. The most they can do for bottled water is recall it AFTER it makes people sick. I only drink it if I'm outside somewhere unexpectedly and it's all that's available. I don't exactly expect it to kill me, but I feel much safer drinking from the tap.
I've read that if you're concerned about lead in your water, let it run for a minute in the morning before you drink from it. (Of course, if you're boiling the water, I don't think it matters?)
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Both systems are faulty, so the only system is to install a reverse osmosis filter system to ensure removal of all contaminants . When drinking a glass of this water a pinch of unprocessed sea salt or Himalayan salt will ensure all minerals required are added to the water.
Bottled water is promoted to get people conditioned to paying big bucks for what the creator supplies free, this is so we will accept private ownership and huge prices of our free commodity.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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