Question: Is Bottled Water Safe to Drink?
Is bottled water safe to drink? Should we drink bottled water? Are there problems with bottled water? Is it just the water container that's at issue?
Answer: Unfortunately, bottled water safety remains questionable. In the U.S. the Food and Drug Administration sets bottled water standards based on the EPA’s tap water regulations. If bottled water manufacturers adhere to these standards, bottled water is considered safe to drink. However, not all bottled water sold meets these standards. Some bottled water denote very little information on their labels as to their safety, testing or quality.
In the absence of supported lab testing, it can be assumed that at best, bottled water may simply be tap water that has been active carbon filtered. But it also could be non-potable water from a raw water source such as spring water.
However, some manufacturers do promote their brands of bottled water as having been UV filtered or having been through a water distillation process.
There are several reasons not to drink prepackaged bottled water. First, you don't know what contaminants or harmful bacteria could be in the untested bottled water. The plastics could also have harmful BPA components - another health risk.
Bottled water costs can be enormous over a year and plastics take forever to decompose in landfills. For this reason and as part of recycling and conservation efforts, many countries have imposed a bottled water ban in an effort to discourage the use of such plastic bottles that pile up in trash.
Instead, consumers are encouraged to drink water that is potable and deemed safe. They are also encouraged to seek other containers than using plastics, to carry or transport water. Appropriate and safe water containers are reusable BPA-free stainless steel water bottles or aluminum water bottles. At the very least, if you must use plastic, make sure it is BPA-free and reusable, but a steel water bottle cuts down on on-going costs, is more durable, earth-friendly and reusable.
For those who love the convenience of a water cooler or dispenser for cold water (or hot) and are hesitant to part with bottled water for this reason, there is a solution. As long as you routinely disinfect your large water bottle, you can refill it with tap water or water that has been filtered or treated. You can also get carbon filtered dispenser bottles specifically designed for water coolers and dispensers, that will help to remove the chlorine taste from tap water, so you can continue to enjoy cold refreshing water from a dispenser or cooler.
The bottom line: Bottled water is only a safe drinking and potable water if it has been properly treated and filtered to remove harmful bacteria and other contaminants. There is not much evidence to show this is being done. And you can practice green living by buying a reusable stainless or aluminum water bottle. Remember to get one for each member of the family, to wash them properly and routinely disinfect them.
Read More About Water:
Water 101 - Quality, Filtration, Bottled, Storage
Plastic Water Bottles - Cause for Concern
About Water Quality Appliances, Buying Tips, Reviews
Zuvo 150 Water Filtration System Review
How to Conserve Water
What's UV Filtration?
Before You Buy a Water Cooler or Dispenser
Go to Home Page
In the absence of supported lab testing, it can be assumed that at best, bottled water may simply be tap water that has been active carbon filtered. But it also could be non-potable water from a raw water source such as spring water.
However, some manufacturers do promote their brands of bottled water as having been UV filtered or having been through a water distillation process.
There are several reasons not to drink prepackaged bottled water. First, you don't know what contaminants or harmful bacteria could be in the untested bottled water. The plastics could also have harmful BPA components - another health risk.
Bottled water costs can be enormous over a year and plastics take forever to decompose in landfills. For this reason and as part of recycling and conservation efforts, many countries have imposed a bottled water ban in an effort to discourage the use of such plastic bottles that pile up in trash.
Instead, consumers are encouraged to drink water that is potable and deemed safe. They are also encouraged to seek other containers than using plastics, to carry or transport water. Appropriate and safe water containers are reusable BPA-free stainless steel water bottles or aluminum water bottles. At the very least, if you must use plastic, make sure it is BPA-free and reusable, but a steel water bottle cuts down on on-going costs, is more durable, earth-friendly and reusable.
For those who love the convenience of a water cooler or dispenser for cold water (or hot) and are hesitant to part with bottled water for this reason, there is a solution. As long as you routinely disinfect your large water bottle, you can refill it with tap water or water that has been filtered or treated. You can also get carbon filtered dispenser bottles specifically designed for water coolers and dispensers, that will help to remove the chlorine taste from tap water, so you can continue to enjoy cold refreshing water from a dispenser or cooler.
The bottom line: Bottled water is only a safe drinking and potable water if it has been properly treated and filtered to remove harmful bacteria and other contaminants. There is not much evidence to show this is being done. And you can practice green living by buying a reusable stainless or aluminum water bottle. Remember to get one for each member of the family, to wash them properly and routinely disinfect them.
Read More About Water:
Water 101 - Quality, Filtration, Bottled, Storage
Plastic Water Bottles - Cause for Concern
About Water Quality Appliances, Buying Tips, Reviews
Zuvo 150 Water Filtration System Review
How to Conserve Water
What's UV Filtration?
Before You Buy a Water Cooler or Dispenser
Go to Home Page
