Bottled Water: What's All The Fuss? (Part 2)

Although tap water is definitely the economical choice, is it the healthy / safe choice?

I'm sure the reasons for buying bottled water are varied, but I'm guessing that one of the top reasons is the belief that bottled water is much safer than tap water. If this is true, I can't say I blame those who buy it.

Assessing whether tap water and bottled water is safer isn't quite as easy as determining which one is cheaper. I'm no scientist, so for this one, I'm just going to have to rely other people's research. However, before diving into relevant information, I'll give my own thought that there's probably no clear cut answer to this one. Bottled water varies by company. Tap water varies by location. No one source is always going to win out over the other.

But let's get into more detail (provided by the US Government Accountability Office):

Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For the most part, the quality regulations are similar. But not completely... A few KEY differences are found:


1. The FDA has not adopted all the same maximum contaminant loads as the EPA.  For instance, the FDA does not have a limit for asbestos and (most importantly) DEHP. Knowing what DEHP stands for is not important. What IS important is to know that it has been shown to cause reproductive problems, liver disease, and cancer. Although the EPA created a policy in 1992 and the FDA was required to adopt one in 1993, it still has yet to do so.
What is going on here? Why hasn't something happened in the past 18 years to make this happen?!

2. Regulation of bottled water is not as good as tap water. Unlike tap water requirements, the FDA does not require bottled water testers to report test results, even if they show violations of water standards. Along those lines, bottled water testers are not required to use certified laboratories for their testing.
Is it just me, or does this seem kind of fishy?


3. Inspections of bottled water are not as frequent as those of tap water. The FDA only appoints an average of 2.6 full-time positions a year (from 2000-2008) to inspect bottled water facilities.
Really? Who could possibly think that was a good idea?


4. Imported bottled water lacks firm oversight. From 2004 to 2008, of the 67% percent of imported bottled water that was actually subjected to an on-screen review, only 4% was examined further and even less was actually sampled.
This yells SECURITY THREAT to me. 

5. Bottled water labels contain less information than is required for tap water.
Less Regulation + Less Information = uh oh

Basically, I could go on and on and on about this and I WANT to go on and on and on about this because it's so incredibly interesting to me... but the bottom line is that bottled water is less regulated than tap water and is in no way proven to be more safe.

Does that mean that bottled water is dirtier than tap water? not necessarily
However, does that mean that bottled water is worth the astounding price difference? absolutely not.


So here's my advice, given the assessment: Unless you live in an area that is proven or suspected to have tainted tap water, buying bottled water will certainly not safeguard you against the potential harms of water. If anything, you are putting yourself at greater risk. Drink from the tap.