Buzz
Forget the age-old debate of whether the glass is half-full or half-empty. A truer test of your perspective on life lies in your reaction to the idea that some bottled water is, in fact, just tap water. Are you shocked, or is your cynicism such that you'd be surprised if any bottled water weren’t tap water? The reality, as always, is somewhere in between.
Before the bottled water boom of the '90s, the only reason to bottle water was if it had something unique about it. Some of these special types of water included:
Spring water, sourced from a natural location where water flows from beneath the ground to the surface
Mineral water, typically spring water from regions rich in dissolved minerals
Sparkling water, which is carbonated, and sometimes also a type of mineral water
Distilled water, which can originate anywhere, but the key is that it has been purified by removing its minerals
At some point, the companies responsible for bottling sodas and various beverages thought to themselves: 'Why not bottle tap water too?'
And that's exactly what they did, and it sold well. They were right in realizing that, more often than not, when people buy bottled spring water, it's not because they care about the specific source of the spring. They're simply thirsty and need water.
How to determine the origin of bottled water
It’s simple to discover where a bottled water comes from: Just read the small print on the label. Typically, on the back in tiny text, the label will state its origin. If it’s from a special spring, it’ll proudly mention the name of that spring.
If the water is sourced from tap water, the label will indicate it’s from a 'municipal water source' or 'community water source,' and may also provide the name of the water company. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s purely tap water—just that tap water was the starting point. Many brands, like Dasani and Aquafina, specify that they purify the water and may enhance it with minerals for taste. The purification process varies by brand.
Water is more than just a liquid. Whether it's tap, spring, well, or any other type of potable water, it contains dissolved minerals, and sometimes additional chemicals. Some of these are contaminants, like lead, others are added intentionally, such as fluoride and chlorine, while some, like magnesium and calcium, naturally occur and are generally harmless.
Tap water and bottled water are subject to different regulations; both must meet safety standards, but the specific testing procedures and what they’re tested for can differ. The Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety and labeling of bottled water, while the Environmental Protection Agency establishes safety standards for tap water. Both are safe to drink, so honestly, I'd choose water based on factors like cost, taste, and environmental impact (since plastic bottles contribute to waste) rather than worrying about the contents.
