Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water?
Pure hydration or pure hype? When it comes to water, what is the difference between the numerous brands of bottled and filtered water?
Drinking Water
You may think that all water is drinking water; however, when you see it on a label, it simply refers to bottled water, sold for human consumption in sanitary containers and free of added sweeteners or chemical additives (other than flavors, extracts, or essences).
Drinking water must be both calorie- and sugar-free (that is, comprised of less than one-percent-by-weight of the final product, or the product will be considered a soft drink).
Natural Water
The word “natural” is reserved for bottled water derived from spring or well sources where the water’s natural chemical (mineral and trace elements) composition has not been altered due to treatment processes.
Spring Water
According to Canadian Springs, the nation’s leading provider of fresh, natural spring water, spring waters are derived from underground foundations from which the water flows naturally to the surface of the earth; it must be collected at the spring.
Artesian Water
Artesian water is collected from a drilled well into an aquifer. Artesian water is confined by a layer of clay or rock, which then pressurizes the water enough to allow it to rise through the ground without mechanical pumps.
Mineral Water
Waters containing not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids may be labeled as mineral water. According to Bottled Water of the World, mineral water is distinguished from other bottled water because its level and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements are identical to the levels contained at the natural source. Therefore, no minerals can be added.
Perrier: Natural Carbonation
According to Perrier, the high-end beverage contains only mineral salts and carbonation (CO2), captured independently from isolated points at different depths within the same geologic formation. Before they are combined for bottling, a filter removes any natural impurities in the carbon gas.
Minerals in mineral waters typically include chromium, copper, iron, lithium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. While these elements are generally considered healthy, the value of mineral water versus spring waters is still debated.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is that which has been treated and had carbon dioxide replaced to match the levels it had at emergence from the source (Bottled Water of the World).
Purified Water
Purified waters have been produced by treating municipally-sourced waters with processes including distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis. They run through gigantic industrial filters and are further treated to remove chlorine and detritus.
Power Water
Bottled water is also available that contains additional minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients, which allows manufacturers to tout it as “healthier” water.
Water Filtration Systems
You can filter your municipal water by attaching a commercial filter such as Brita to the tap, using a carbon filter pitcher, or buying refrigerators with built-in filters that make both filtered ice and filtered water.
Find out how much water you should drink to stay healthy and hydrated.
Jay
Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."
