One common water debate is which is better between bottled water and tap water. This article might not resolve the debate. However, it will inform you about the difference between the two and help you formulate your own opinion. It is important to note, whether you are on team bottle water or team tap water, that the government regulates both. Read on to learn about the differences in bottled water and tap water.
What is Bottled Water?
Bottled water is water that a company packages in a bottle and sells for consumption. Due to its popularity, you can find bottled water almost everywhere. There are two types of water that companies sell in bottles – distilled and spring water.
Distilled Water is also known as purified water. This is water that is actually from tap water sources. However, it goes through an additional filtering process that gives it a fresher taste. The benefit of this water is that companies source from municipal water. As a result, it meets government safety standards.
Spring Water is also known as artesian water. This is water that comes from natural sources such as aquifers or springs. Since the water is from natural sources, it does not have the advantage of going through the municipal process. As a result, before bottling, the water must go through an independent filtration process to ensure it is safe for consumption.
Advantages of Bottled Water
The main advantage of bottled water is the convenience it provides. It can be stored at a temperature most suited to a person’s liking and it is easy to carry with you wherever you need to go. Bottled water also has the advantage of being able to enhance the water with different flavors, vitamins, or even carbonation to make the consumption of water more palatable to the taste buds.
Disadvantages of Bottled Water
Bottled water is significantly more expensive than tap water. Additionally, the plastic bottles are a leading contributor to pollution since plastic takes a long time to decompose. Another disadvantage is that although the water in bottled water is safe, there is a health concern os reusing the bottles as the chemical in the packaging tends to break down over time, especially in warmer weather.
What is Tap Water?
Tap water is water that comes through a source provided by the municipality. This is water that is treated before arriving at your tap and usually exceeds the minimum requirement set by government regulations and laws.
Advantages of Tap Water
The main advantage to tap water is the availability. Tap water comes from any faucet or fountain that connects to the municipal infrastructure. Tap water is relatively inexpensive. Additionally, it does not require any packaging.
Disadvantages of Tap Water
The main disadvantage to tap water is that it does not always have a clean taste like bottled water due to chemicals used to treat the water. To obtain the clean taste, additional purifiers or filters need to be bought that will clean the water after poured from the tap or in more expensive systems, before coming out of the faucet. Another disadvantage is that tap water comes from the faucet at room temperature and needs to be cooled by adding ice or requires planning to have a picture cooled in the fridge in advance.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner in the bottled water versus tap water debate. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Whichever water you do decide to use for you and your family, please make sure you do your best to minimize waste and recycle to protect the environment.
