Is purchasing bottled WATER really worth it?

Question

I have many friends that will not drink tap water.

Answer 1

Companies that market bottled water as being safer than tap water are defrauding the American public. - The U.S. FDA



The truth about bottled water is that it is often little more than tap water in a bottle. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each week on advertising campaigns to give consumers the perception that bottled water comes from some pristine mountain spring or magical underground aquifer.



Bottled water has become a multi-billion dollar business... now the fastest growing segment of the entire beverage industry... and the most profitable of all beverages.



There are no assurances or requirements that bottled water is of any higher quality than tap water. The Federal regulations that govern bottled water only apply if it is transported across state lines, and then only require it to be "as good as" tap water. Most bottled water is bottled and sold within the same state to avoid regulations.



In March of 1999‚ the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report called "Bottled Water‚ Pure Drink or Pure Hype?" NRDC‘s report points out that as much as 40% of all bottled water comes from a city water system‚ just like tap water. The report also focuses on the fact that 60 to 70% of all bottled water is exempt from FDA‘s bottled water standards‚ because it is bottled and sold within the same state. Unless the water is transported across state lines‚ there are no federal regulations that govern its quality. According to the NRDC‚ "bottled water companies have used this loophole to avoid complying with basic health standards‚ such as those that apply to municipally treated tap water." Also‚ all carbonated or sparkling waters are completely exempt from FDA guidelines that set specific contamination limits.



According to the NRDC study‚ "even when bottled waters are covered by FDA‘s specific bottled water standards‚ those rules are weaker in many ways than EPA rules that apply to big city tap water." For instance‚ if we compare EPA regulations for tap water to FDA‘s bottled water rules: (these examples are quotes from the NRDC report)



· City tap water‚ from surface water‚ must be filtered and disinfected. In contrast‚ there are no federal filtration or disinfection requirements for bottled water.

· Most cities using surface water have had to test for Cryptosporidium or Giardia‚ two common water pathogens‚ that can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems‚ yet bottled water companies do not have to do this.

· City tap water must meet standards for certain important toxic or cancer-causing chemicals‚ such as phthalate (a chemical that can leach from plastic‚ including plastic bottles); some in the industry persuaded FDA to exempt bottled water from the regulations regarding these chemicals.

· City water systems must issue annual "right to know" reports‚ telling consumers what is in their water. Bottlers successfully killed a "right to know" requirement for bottled water.

The Natural Resources Defense Council report concluded that; "Therefore‚ while much tap water is indeed risky‚ having compared available data‚ we conclude that there is no assurance that bottled water is any safer than tap water."



The reality of bottled water is that people pay from $1 to $4 a gallon for the perception of higher quality‚ when in fact‚ the quality of bottled water is at best "unknown"!



A humorous, but insightful quote, from a national radio personality went;


"Throughout the years man has come up with many ways to measure things.
Noah used cubits to measure the Arc.
We use carats to measure gemstones.
We use lbs. to measure our weight.
We use inches, feet and yards to measure distance.
And to measure the intelligence of consumers... they put water in plastic bottles... to see who would buy it."



Point-of-Use water treatment‚ with a quality in home water filtration system‚ is by far the most economical‚ the most convenient and the most effective way of producing healthy, great tasting water. Filtering out the chlorine‚ lead and other contaminants with a quality home water filtration system‚ at the point of use‚ just prior to consumption‚ is the only way to know for sure about the quality of your water.

Answer 2

Not to me. I have been drinking tap water my whole life and I have no health problems from it (and at all.) The only time I think it is really necessary is if you're in another country with water problems or if you need to go some where and can't(or don't want.) to take a glass of water. I am in no way against the people who drink bottled water, I just think it's a waste when you're at home and you have ice in the freezer and water in in the tap.(or fridge.)

Answer 3

I drink tap water when I am at home but I drink bottles when I am on the road which is most of the time. The only reason I like bottled water on the road is I mix an energy drink that was just recently released onto the market in powder form into the bottle of water (I used lemon flavored) and shake it up and I have an energy drink on the go. It works in minutes and last for hours. If you or your friends or anyone else would like a FREE SAMPLE check out my profile on how to get it and I'll be glad to hook you up. I have the craziest job in the world

Answer 4

Well you can get water free out of the tap, and it's perfectly safe to drink. However, waters do taste different due to the different minerals in them. I have tap water that is from a well in my house and it's the best tasting water I've ever had. So I guess the answer to that question is that whether it's worth it or not depends on the taste of the person purchasing it. If tap water tastes bad to someone then they would think it worthwhile to purchase a water they do like the taste of.

Answer 5

Tests have shown that in the U.S., tap water is as safe to drink as bottled water. There may be more iron and sulfates in tap water. They're not harmful, but to ease your mind, buy a water filter for the faucet. Many models are available that attach to the spout. Or you can get the Brita filter/pitcher.

I think that bottled water is the worst value for drinking water. See link below.

Answer 6

Absolutely not! Most popular bottled waters currently cost more per gallon than gasoline or milk. Our local news did a report where they tested tap water against three popular brands of bottled water and found that the bottled water contains as much or more bacteria. Bottled water is simply a big scam perpetrated by savvy marketers to get us to pay for something we can get anywhere in this country for free.

Answer 7

It depends on where you live. The quality of water can depend on such factors as fluoridation, whether they use a compound of chlorine and ammonia to purify the water(not recommended for people on dialysis), if the pipes bringing the water to you are leeching traces of lead, and if there is radon present etc.. Although filters can help they will not filter the chlorine-ammonia compound. There is also the issue of whether your water tastes good? I purchase Spring water which is pasteurized by ultraviolet light. Water is one of those things you can't live without. Since it is the most purchased beverage I would have to say, yes it is worth it.

Answer 8

No and just how is going out and buying bottled water more convenient than turning on the tap unless you can't drive to the tap.

Water is free and should remain so plus it would help if we stopped contaminating it.

Answer 9

I think it depends on where you live. I live in a big city and the tap water has no taste, and I don't waste my money on bottled water too often. That is not the case everywhere.

Answer 10

I guess we all make decisions on a daily basis on what to spend our money on. I do buy bottled water quite often but I have also been known to refill a bottle from my tap and put it in the fridge.

Answer 11

Any tap water that you drink is safe but I drink bottled water for the convenience factor. That is the American way, convenience.