Is Bottled Water Safer Than Tap Water      

With more and more government and private investigations into bottled water, the results are not what people have come to believe.  Billions are being spent by consumers who believe that they are getting the best water possible.

Aside from buying a few cases for emergency preparedness,  bottled water may not be your best option.  Municipal water supplies are required by law to make public reports on the tests of the water they supply.  According to a U.S. Congressional Report, the Food and Drug Administration has little authority to regulate bottled water.  All but a few disclose the three most important facts about their product. The water’s source,  the purification methods,  and the chemical pollutants remaining after treatment.

Independent testing of various bottled water brands by the “Environmental Working Group” showed they contained such contaminants as chemical solvents and fertilizer residue.  Some exceeded industry standards as well as state and federal limits.  Additionally, there has been some evidence of contaminants leaching from the plastic used to package water.  Obviously the longer the water is in the bottle, the more likely it will be for this to occur.  It is recommended that stocks of any item for consumption be rotated regularly, using the oldest first, even bottled water has a shelf life.

The “International Bottled Water Association” points out however that the ”Environmental Working Groups” report on bottled water fails to identify a single violation of the FDA’s regulations.  The IBWA goes on to state they believe the report to be “sensationalized science and exaggerated claims.” The one fact that has not been discussed here is the millions of plastic bottles that are littering the streets and end up in landfills.

Bottled water can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation or for disaster relief.  We all remember the truckloads of water being handed out at the superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  For everyday consumption, a more economical solution would be to purify your own tap water and use a stainless steel thermos to carry it.  With a water filter or water purifier, you could be confident knowing you are drinking the safest and purest water available.  Additionally, with a gravity type water purifier, you could use water from virtually any source.  Rivers, lakes and streams could be used in the event of an emergency situation where public water is suddenly unavailable.