In a crisis or natural disaster, the first thing many people do is stock up on bottled water. As water is essential for survival this can seem like a reasonable step. However, the assumption is that the mains water will no longer be available and that bottled water is better for you.
The problem is that this isn’t necessarily the case.
The Problem With Bottle Water
Bottled water does not necessarily come from a spring and doesn’t need to have minerals. IN fact, in some cases, bottled water is simply tap water.
But, bottled water is not tested as often as tap water.
The water that leaves a treatment plan must comply with government regulations and it is tested daily to ensure this is the case. Bottled water is processed in a factory and must meet tests on a yearly basis. That means there is little control over the water or the bottling process between inspections.
Also, you’ll find that purchasing bottled water is considerably more expensive than using water from your tap.
If that wasn’t enough, water is bottled in plastic bottle, adding to the plastic waste mountain that is causing so many issues to the planet. It is even possible that chemicals can leach from the plastic into the bottle, potentially causing health issues in the future.
Don’t forget that bottled water is produced by companies looking to make a profit. Their main aim is not the supply of pure water, it’s to make a profit.
In contrast, tap water only seeks to cover the cost of treatment, the aim is to supply clean water to every house that is safe to drink.
Tap Water
Tap water must meet stringent standards as set by the government. It is filtered to remove debris and chlorine is added to kill any bacteria in the water. In addition, fluoride is added to help strengthen bones and teeth.
However, this treatment does not guarantee the water will reach your house in the same condition. It has many miles of pipework to travel through before it reaches your home. During that time it can pick up debris and even new bacteria.
That’s why many people take extra steps. As well as being treated and monitored daily, tap water can undergo filtering at your home. If you use reverse osmosis as part of a 5-stage filter process you’ll find that it not only removes debris and bacteria, it can also remove heavy metals, excessive minerals, and even the chlorine that’s been added.
In other words, tap water, combined with a good filter system, can give you the purest water of all.
If you’re still not convinced then ask your local water board to provide you a copy of the annual water report. Alternatively, you can actually get your water tested at home and then test it again after you’ve had a filter fitted.
You should be able to taste the difference but the report will definitely show that tap water, with a filter, is still the best option.
