By Staff
Bottled or tap, which is better?
Many of us are guilty of picking up a 24-pack of bottled water at Winn Dixie, Southern Family Markets, or wherever else we do our weekly grocery shopping.
Bottled water is much more convenient than cracking ice and filling a glass with tap water. With bottled water, all you have to do is open the door and it’s like magic, there is water available and ready to drink. Not to mention that bottled water is much more portable than water in a cup. There is a much less chance of spillage on the way to work or at the gym.
Although what type of water you drink is your own decision, taste may not be the only factor you should consider when making up your mind.
Some brands of bottled water claim on the label that the water came straight from the spring and is the most pure water available on the market. But, according to the National Resources Defense Council’s Web site, www.nrdc.org, approximately 25 percent or more of bottled water is simply tap water packaged in a bottle. Funny that we don’t mind paying anywhere from $1 to $3 per bottled water at our local gas stations for what we could get out of our faucets.
NRDC carried out a four-year review on the bottled water industry and the governing safety standards. In the review, NRDC included how national bottled water rules and national tap water rules vary. They also carried out independent testing of more than 1,000 bottles of water.
According to the testing conducted by the NRDC, “there is no assurance that just because water comes out of a bottle it is any cleaner or safer than water from the tap.”
Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and drinking water systems undergo State and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. There are different rules for both types of water, including:
There are many factors to consider when choosing the faucet versus a bottle including, convenience, safety and water regulations. It comes down to that personal choice of ‘do I want to take the time to prepare a nutrient-filled glass of water?’ or ‘do I want to grab a bottle as I run out the door?’ Ultimately it’s up to you.