Last updated on March 29th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
When it comes to water, people have their own preferences. Some people prefer bottled water more than tap water as they think it’s healthier while others believe that tap water is better because it’s cheaper. If you are also wondering, which one is better, bottled water vs. tap water then read on. We have tried to find some logic behind using and not using both as there is no right answer to this question.
Bottled water has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The International Bottled Water Association, about 13 billion gallons of bottled water was produced in 2016. This number would have been risen in the last few years as more people prefer bottled water use every day.
Many Americans still prefer municipal tap water supply. They consider it their primary source of drinking water. Experts believe that using tap water should be preferred over bottled water most of the time. They think that pure water coming from the tap or a reverse osmosis system installed at home should be your first preference. You should use bottled water only in emergencies when the authorities say not to trust tap water as it might be contaminated.
The Pros and Cons of Bottled Water
Pros
- There are many benefits of choosing bottled water. Some of them are mentioned here.
- Using bottled water is recommended during emergencies.
- It’s easily available so you can buy it at a store near you or online if you want.
- You can stockpile it for emergency use.
- It’s very portable so you can carry it anywhere you need.
- The sealed packaging ensures that there is minimal possibility of contamination.
- People who have a compromised immune system can depend on bottled water if tap water has any impurities.
Cons
- Whenever you use and throw bottled water, you cause a negative environmental impact.
- Manufacturing of single-use bottled water also has chemicals that might have negative health consequences.
- Sometimes the quality of bottled water can be doubtful as there are no mandatory testing programs in place.
- More energy is used to manufacture, distribute and market bottled water.
- It is a more expensive option than tap water so many people can’t afford to buy it every day.
- Bottled water has a shelf life and can go bad. So, you can’t store it for long.
Nutritional Difference
Most of us believe that there is no nutritional difference between tap water and bottled water. The truth is different. Some bottled water might include vitamins and electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and amino acids.
Health Difference
Tap water is safe most of the time, thanks to the Safe Drinking Water Act was enacted in 1974. Thanks to this act, federal law now plays a key role in protecting the quality of water that comes through your tap. The environment protection agency is allowed to “set national standards for drinking water to protect against health effects from exposure to naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants” that are present in public water systems. It oversees more than 150,000 public water systems across the U.S. that usually serve over 300 million people.
With time, the law is losing its meaning as the infrastructure in the U.S. is aging, and an older network of pipes and connections make it easy for contaminants to ruin the water quality. Natural disasters can also make the public sources of water less dependable. In such a situation, people must switch to bottled water.
Tap water also has fluoride, leading to many health issues like cancer, kidney issues, arthritis, etc.
Pros and Cons of Tap Water
The municipalities usually supply tap water. It is sourced from freshwater sources like rivers, lakes, etc. Here are the pros and cons of using it.
Pros
- Using tap water is convenient. You can just open the tap and consume the water.
- The cost of tap water is quite low.
Cons
- Tap water might not always be pure.
- You need to get the quality tested from time to time.
- Some people don’t like the taste of tap water as elements like chlorine are added to it.
Which is Better: Tap Water or Bottled Water
There is no clear winner here. You should use your own mind and logic to ensure that the water you drink is safe and pure. You can depend on tap water most of the time and switch to bottled water when you are traveling, or there is a water emergency in your area.
The Simple Solution
A simple solution to ensure that you drink pure water daily is to use a reverse osmosis water purifier. It will ensure that you get pure, contamination-free, tasteless, colorless, and odorless water that will always be pure.
AMPAC USA houses a wide range of reverse osmosis systems made specially to cater to the needs of residences. Experts design these systems at AMPAC with experience of more than 30 years. Every system in the line of R.O.idential RO is based on Advanced Reverse Osmosis, which is a proven technology for eliminating 99% of the contaminants. The range of products offers solutions to hard water, brackish sources, well, and seawater. It also offers choices to various other water challenges. The line involves single systems for low capacities and whole-house systems for higher capacities. The company also offers R.O.ange of RO accessories compatible with the brand systems and almost every other model on the market.
AMPAC USA’s residential R.O. systems are very well known in the industry for their strength, durability, and reliability. The products are made with standard practices at a state-of-the-art facility under the supervision of experienced personnel. Every purchase with AMPAC guarantees a 24×7 after-sale customer support and manufacturer’s warranty. AMPAC also sends experts to inspect water quality who help you choose the right solution to your problem. Find a suitable product from our range down below!
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AMPAC USA offers a comprehensive line of Residential Water Reverse Osmosis Treatment options, including end-to-end multi-stage systems, contaminant-specific treatments, fully automated appliances, complementary components to existing installations, and of course, genuine, top-line quality spare parts.
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References:
https://www.ampac1.com/products/residential-reverse-osmosis
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/bottled-water-vs-tap-water
https://learn.allergyandair.com/bottled-water-vs-tap-water/
