Tips on the Bottled Water Vs Tap Water Debate

In the bottled water vs tap water debate, there are many issues to consider. Those issues include environmental, economical and your personal health. The quality of what you drink can affect your short and long-term health. Here's a look at the subject.

What are the environmental considerations? The bottles are a major source of pollution. Bottling companies argue that only a small percentage of the plastic bottles in landfills were once filled with water. Many of them were filled with other beverages. They argue that drinking water is better for your health than drinking sodas or other drinks. That's true, but not if the water is of questionable purity.

Another environmental issue has to do with the amount of freshwater these companies are taking out of our aquifers. In some cases, they have been known to drain the supplies of entire towns. They use freshwater not only to fill, but also to make the bottle.

From an environmental standpoint, tap-water is the clear winner of the bottled water vs tap water debate. Our freshwater supplies are limited and there is expected to be a severe shortage over the next 20-30 years. Coastal areas will be hit hardest, because saltwater will intrude on the freshwater stored in the ground. We have the ability to desalinate, but it is great tasting to say the least.

What are the economical considerations for your family? You are already paying for what comes through your waterline and runs out of your faucets. Many of the bottling companies, including Dasani, Aquafina and Pure-life, use public sources. If the bottling factory is located in your area, you are actually paying for your own tap-water to be bottled for you. You could do that yourself, at home.

There are other economic considerations in the bottled water vs tap water debate. For example, the average family of four spends roughly $1200 buying bottled-water every year, maybe more, depending on the brand. You could buy an effective home purifier for around $100. Cost of maintenance, which includes replacement filters, is around $96 per year. In other words, your family could save over $1000 per year by installing a home purifier. You could even invest in some glass bottles. Store them in the refrigerator and whenever you want it, you have the best tasting, most hydrating beverage available.

Health considerations in the bottled water vs tap water debate are several. Cysts are a kind of protozoa that are resistant to public disinfection methods. They could be present in either one. They can only be removed with a filter that is certified to remove particles larger than one micron. If ingested, cysts cause an illness similar to food poisoning. It can be deadly in at-risk individuals.

When it comes to your long-term health, the biggest threats when it comes to the bottled water vs tap water debate are carcinogens known as THMs. They are known to be in publicly treated supplies and have been found in many bottled brands. An effective home purifier can remove them.