water: tap or bottled?
Tap or bottled? Most of us encounter this question almost every day. Whether we are at a restaurant or at the grocery store, our options these days are endless. But is bottled water actually better than our tap water? Well, that depends on where you live. But chances are the water you have at home may be far better than the fancy bottled water you see everywhere…not to mention, cheaper!
For one thing, bottled water is far less regulated than tap water. In fact, water that is packaged and sold within the same state, which is approximately 60-70% of all water, doesn’t need to comply with any of the FDA’s rules. It is also estimated that up to 40% of bottled water is actually just tap water. There are also health concerns about the plastic bottles actually leaching chemicals into the water. By the way, these chemicals have been shown to cause cancer and interfere with our hormones (technically they’re called phthalates and are considered to be endocrine disruptors) - using reusable stainless steel bottles are a good safe alternative. Then we need to think about the environmental impact of all these bottles. Seriously, have you ever stopped to think about where they go? It’s estimated that 80% of these bottles do not get recycled and end up in landfills, or better yet on an “island” in the middle of the Pacific twice the size of Texas!! It’s crazy, but very true…google it and see! Not to mention that it takes 15 million barrels of oil per year just to supply the US with all these bottles – that’s equivalent to fueling 100,000 cars for a year. Another big factor is cost. Just think that for the price of one Evian bottle, you can have a supply of 1000 gallons of tap water all from the comfort of your own home.
So although tap water may have a few flaws, it makes much more sense to drink your tap water. By adding your own filter at home, the results are far more superior to what you would find at the grocery store or gas station. All you need to do to ensure the best quality water is to read the report your utility company sends every year to see what’s in your water. Take the time to read it and find a filter that will target your main issues. In many cases, adding a basic carbon filter (which costs around $30) will eliminate almost all of your problems. Just remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on when to replace them because they will release the “bad stuff” after the recommended time has expired. So stop paying extra for something you can find right at home – it just makes more sense for you, the environment, and your wallet!