| Did you know Americans consumed more than 7.5 | | | | germs, making it unsafe to drink. In these instances, |
| billion gallons of bottled water in 2005? That's more | | | | your water supplier is required to notify you by mail, |
| than 26 gallons per person. | | | | radio, television, or hand-delivery that your water does |
| Why have so many thirsty people turned off the tap | | | | not meet safety standards. The notice you receive will |
| and chosen to drink bottled water? | | | | describe precautions you need to take (e.g., boiling your |
| Some prefer the taste, but others give up the | | | | water). |
| convenience of tap water because they are | | | | Drinking water may also become contaminated with |
| convinced bottle water is safer (healthier) to drink. Is | | | | toxic metals, including arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, |
| this true? | | | | mercury and silver. These metals may enter the water |
| For healthy people, both bottled water and tap water | | | | supply from natural sources, industrial processes, and |
| are considered safe to drink if they meet the | | | | materials used in plumbing systems. Since exposure to |
| standards of the US Food and Drug Administration | | | | toxic metals can have serious health consequences, |
| (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). | | | | most water systems are tested regularly to make |
| The FDA sets food safety, labeling, and inspection | | | | sure the levels of these substances are within safe |
| standards for bottled water, and the EPA sets | | | | standards. |
| standards and conducts frequent testing for municipal | | | | If you have concern about contaminants in your |
| drinking water. However, the sources and treatments | | | | home's drinking water, have your water tested. For |
| of drinking water can vary considerably. | | | | more information about testing your water, contact the |
| Is There Evidence for the Health Claim? | | | | Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking |
| The taste and quality of drinking water depend on | | | | Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. |
| where it comes from and how it is chemically treated. | | | | Is There Evidence Against the Health Claim for Bottled |
| Most tap water comes from surface sources, such as | | | | Water? |
| rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Most bottled water comes | | | | Although bottled water is considerably more expensive |
| from ground sources, such as underground aquifers. | | | | than tap water, it is not guaranteed safer. In fact, both |
| The day-to-day variation of the taste and quality is | | | | bottled and tap water - may contain small amounts of |
| usually less for ground water than with surface water | | | | contaminants. Furthermore, the purity of bottled water |
| sources. Water from deep underground is less | | | | is not regulated by the government as is the case for |
| vulnerable to contamination than surface water. | | | | tap water. |
| Despite this, ground water can contain high levels of | | | | The National Resources Defense Council published a |
| contaminants or be contaminated during the bottling | | | | study in 1999 in which more than 1,000 bottles of 103 |
| and/or treatment processes. | | | | brands of bottled water were tested. The researchers |
| Do you know where your water comes from? If your | | | | found that while most of the bottled water tested was |
| tap water's source is a public water system, you can | | | | of high quality, about one-third of the water contained |
| check your annual water quality report or contact your | | | | levels of contamination that exceeded state or |
| water supplier to find its source. You can read the | | | | industry standards or guidelines. |
| label of the bottled water to find out where it comes | | | | Conclusion: |
| from. | | | | You can obtain a copy of your local water supplier's |
| Artesian water, ground water, spring water, and well | | | | annual water report to find out the source and quality |
| water come from underground aquifers. | | | | of your public water supply. If your water comes from |
| Distilled water is steam from boiled water that is | | | | a private well, make sure that the water is tested |
| re-condensed and then bottled. | | | | annually for nitrate and coli form bacteria, and more |
| Mineral water is ground water that naturally contains | | | | frequently for other contaminants if you suspect a |
| dissolved solvents such as minerals, salts, and gases. | | | | problem. You can also contact bottled water |
| Or, it is prepared synthetically. | | | | manufacturers and request the results from their latest |
| Purified or sterilized water may originate from any | | | | testing and find out how the water is treated to |
| source, but is supposed to be treated according to the | | | | remove contaminants. |
| US Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for purification and | | | | After you are satisfied your water supply is of |
| sterilization, respectively. US Pharmacopeia sets official | | | | acceptable quality, consider its taste and expense. If |
| standards for all prescription and over-the-counter | | | | bottled water tastes better to you and fits your |
| medicines, dietary supplements and other healthcare | | | | budget, buy it. But if you are looking to save money, |
| products manufactured and sold in the United States. | | | | most publicly supplied tap water in the U.S. is safe to |
| If you are still unsure of where your bottled water | | | | drink and tastes just fine. Another popular alternative is |
| comes from or how it is treated after reading the label, | | | | to install a high quality water purifier to remove possible |
| call the manufacturer for more detailed information. | | | | contaminates and improve the taste of your local |
| In certain circumstances, tap water may become | | | | water supplier's product. |
| contaminated by substances such as disease-causing | | | | |