The Health Benefits Of Drinking Water - Is Bottled Drinking Water Healthier Than Filtered Tap Water?

Water is a key ingredient in a healthy diet and lifestyle. There are many health benefits of drinking water. It helps flush impurities and toxins out of our systems. It aids in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. In fact, nearly every system in our bodies relies on water for proper functioning. But what if your water is unhealthy?

In past decades, concerns about tap water and its impact on overall health led some people to turn to bottled drinking water instead. In those days, there were few choices. You could pay to have a company deliver large bulky plastic bottles of water for the water cooler. Or you could purchase gallon jugs of distilled or "drinking water" at the grocery store.

In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of different bottled waters available, with big distributors such as Coke and Pepsi jumping on the bandwagon. But are bottled drinking waters like Coke's Dasani brand, Pepsi's Aquafina, or Wal-Mart's store brand really any healthier than your tap water? Or would you be better off with a drinking water filtration system?

As we've learned more about the water we drink, the technology behind drinking water filters and purification systems has improved dramatically. There are filters to remove impurities, chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria and most every contaminant you can think of. With the right size and filter combination for your specific home, your water can be exceptionally pure and healthy.

Cost Comparison

Drinking water filtration systems have also become more affordable and easy to use. Although the initial cost of a whole house system usually runs several hundred dollars, that cost is often less than $100 each year if spread out over the life of the system.

There may be additional expenses to replace carbon filters, membranes in reverse osmosis drinking water filtration system, or lamps in an ultraviolet light water treatment device. These expenses can add another $100 or so to the annual costs of operating drinking water filters and purification systems.

While some people may hesitate to spend two or three hundred dollars each year for clean, safe drinking water, they are probably paying more for bottled drinking water. Calculations show that at a price of $1 to $4 per gallon, bottled or delivered water costs an average of $400 each year, especially if you purchase individual bottles. And that doesn't take into consideration the gas needed to drive to the store or the environmental impact of all the empty plastic bottles.

Health Aspects

Many people who choose bottled drinking water understand that it is more expensive, but are willing to pay the extra money because they feel bottled water is safer and healthier than filtered drinking water. After all, bottled water is often marketed as "natural spring water" or "pure glacier water."

In reality, few bottled waters come from natural springs, and most of them use municipal tap water. The companies are able to get away with this false marketing because the regulations and standards for bottle drinking water are less stringent than those for residential drinking sources.

Bottled water quality is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while drinking water systems are typically regulated by State regulations or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This doesn't mean that the FDA isn't doing their job. It's just that the rules for bottled water only require it to be as good as tap water, not better.

In addition, the FDA regulations only apply to bottled drinking water that is transported across state lines. If a company sells their bottled drinking water in the same state where it was bottled, the federal regulations don't apply. The result is that many bottled waters are not any healthier than filtered water, and in fact some are less pure.

This was demonstrated in a study conducted in 1999 by the Natural Resources Defense Council. They tested over 100 brands of bottled drinking water and found that about 1/3 of the waters contained contamination in the form of chemicals, bacteria, and arsenic. The study also found that up to 40% of bottled drinking waters come from a city water system.

How To Tell If Your Water Is Healthy

So how do you tell if the water you're drinking is healthy? With tap water, it's relatively easy. If you water comes from a municipal source, the suppliers are required by law to provide annual water quality reports. If you have a well, you can have an authorized lab test your water. It may cost $100 or more, but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. Or you can purchase a kit and test it yourself, although the results are not as conclusive or reliable.

When it comes to bottled drinking water, it can be more difficult to know what you're getting. Start by checking the label or the bottle cap. Some may tell you that the water comes from a municipal source or "community water system," which means tap water.

If the label doesn't give any information, you can call the bottler and ask. But don't be surprised if you get the run around and are transferred to several different departments. Some states have a bottled water program that tracks bottled drinking water and can tell you the origin of the source water as well as other information.

Safe and healthy drinking water has become big business. Thousands of companies are vying for your hard earned cash, and some are not always honest about what their products offer. The initial investment for a home drinking water filtration system can seem expensive at first, but over time, it is usually less expensive than bottled drinking water. And with a water filter, you at least know where the water you drink came from and how it was treated.

Before going out and spending your hard earned money for bottled drinking water that may be no better than your own tap water, it's a good idea to do some research. You're likely to decide that a drinking water filtration system and/or purifier is the healthier choice and provides the best value as well.

About the Author:
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Water-Filters-N-Purifiers.com, providing consumer information on water purification systems such as whole house and under sink water filters. She found out about comparing the health benefits of drinking water years ago when she learned that the bottled water she was buying came from a municipal system in a nearby city.

---

Outdoor Bars - Essential For Summer Entertaining

The trend for enhancing your patio is to create an... Read More

Refinishing A Hardwood Floor

Want to bring your hardwood floors back to their former... Read More

Spring Deck Prep Tips

It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture... Read More

Would You Steel Your Household Appliances

Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many... Read More

Bamboo Flooring Is Taking The Design World By Storm

Are you looking for something different for your house? Maybe... Read More

Why Is Your House Cold?

How many of you have experienced this situation? As the... Read More

Basic Methods of Foundation Waterproofing

It is absolutely necessary to waterproof the foundation of your... Read More

Use Air Filters and Common Sense for Allergy Relief

Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If you are... Read More

Do You Know How To Use Window Coverings?

Window coverings serve an important role in your home, giving... Read More

Add Value to Your House - Interior Remodelling

Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look... Read More

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone

Stress is all around us, from the office to the... Read More

A Guide to Commercial Steel Buildings

Commercial steel buildings are prefabricated and custom-designed for use as... Read More

Door Hardware - the Focal Point of the Home

The door is the focal point of the home which... Read More

Get Rid Of Air Pollution In Your Home With House Plants

Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can... Read More

Kitchen Magic

It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete... Read More

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Every one lives in a house but every house is... Read More

Remove Carpet Stains - The How To

Your short lesson on how to remove carpet stains: act... Read More

New Jersey Home Remodeling

The U.S. state of New Jersey lies on the Eastern... Read More

At Last You Can Customize Your Pegboard As Much As You Want

Customizable metal pegboard is set to revolutionise utensil storage. For... Read More

Sparkling, Clean Lighting Will Add The Perfect Touch To Your Home

When one thinks of the many factors that affect the... Read More

Useful Home Products Will Help Your House Sale Profits

Even if you've never been involved in the sale of... Read More

Bathroom Magic

Believe it or not, the bathroom is one of the... Read More

Clear Wax Candles vs. Gel Candles

In the last five years a new type of clear... Read More

A Look at Steel Building Kits

Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the... Read More

Breaking the Mold - Creative Boys Bedrooms

Decorating boys bedrooms with licensed characters and themes is an... Read More

Color Help: Choosing Color Combinations

Choosing a color scheme can be a nerve-wracking business. For... Read More

Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It!

A chair is one of the best inventions ever made.... Read More

A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great!

A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless... Read More

Ceiling Fans Look Great and Save You Money

It doesn't matter if you live in a hot climate... Read More

Choosing a Furnace Humidifier

While everyone longs for a white winter, the problems associated... Read More

Finishing Your Basement Can be Very Rewarding

Transforming your home's basement into a finished space can prove... Read More

Heat Up the Hot Tub from 20,000 Feet

Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the... Read More

Power Tools and HAV - Hand Arm Vibration - Prevention is Better Than Cure

Power tools are some of the most useful devices ever... Read More