Is bottled water safer than tap water?
Keep in mind that many bottled waters are actually bottled tap water. Bottled water is regulated through the Food and Drug Administration and is considered a food product, therefore, it is not as heavily regulated as tap water. Also, the MPWC is required to release information on their water quality, while bottled water companies are not.
Although many consumers believe bottled water is safer than tap water, this is not generally the case. A recent study revealed that a large percentage of bottled water is simply tap water in a bottle sold at a 100 to 1,000 times the price. For example, a typical gallon jug of bottled water ranges from $0.99 to $4 compared to just over half a cent for a gallon of CUD tap water.
Many people worry about getting sick from tap water, because of articles on the news and in the papers, for instance about Legionella outbreaks. They may either drink bottled water or install water purification systems as a result of this. However, studies have indicated that many of these consumers are being ripped off due to the expenses of bottled water and in some cases they may end up drinking water that is dirtier then they can get from their taps. To be safe, consumers that buy bottled water should determine wheather the company that supplies them with water belongs to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and lives up to the testing requirements of drinking water. People can also spare themselves the costs of bottled water and have their tap water tested by local health authorities or private labs.
Many consumers feel that bottled water is safer than tap water. This is generally not true. In fact, a recent study revealed that 25 percent of all bottled water is simply tap water that has been placed in a bottle and sold at a price 250 to 10,000 times higher than tap water. For example, a typical price for a one-gallon jug of bottled water ranges from $0.99 to $4 compared to $0.0025 for a gallon of MEWS tap water. The quality of bottled water can also vary greatly depending on its source, production process, packaging material, and shelf life before use. Until 1993, there were no proposed federal standards for bottled water; in many states it was unregulated. The 1996 SDWA amendments require bottled water to meet many of the same regulations as tap water for the first time.
According to the recent Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s annual report, Ontarians can be confident that the drinking water that comes out of our taps is of exceptionally high quality. In addition to being clean and safe, drinking Ontario tap water has other benefits. It costs far less than the bottled variety. It can be carried with you in reusable bottles and safe beverage containers. And fewer plastic drinking bottles means less waste. Click here for more information about bottled water.
