What is in bottled water?

Bottled water is always marketed as being pure, cleaner, and even safer than tap water. There is also the false perception that all bottled water is spring water, or that it comes from some amazingly clean source. But where does the water usually come from? It comes from rivers, lakes, and even from city water that your tax dollars pay for. Some major bottled water companies just use city water and filter it themselves, and then sell it back to you.

Is bottled water safe?

Bottled water usually has similar regulations as city water. But the major issue with bottled water is the plastic. What is wrong with plastic? Plastic leaches hazardous chemicals into your water and food. It's not good to microwave anything in plastic or even keep food in it. Plastic will leach especially when it gets hot, but the chemicals will still leach in colder temperatures. In many situations bottled water is often sitting at room temperature, exposed to the hot sun, or even sitting in a hot car.

BPA in water bottles

One of the many chemicals found in plastic is bisphenol A (BPA). The effects of this chemical primary cause problems with fertility and reproduction in both males and females. BPA is an estrogenic-like compound. Is that reason enough to avoid it? It is also linked to many cancers and other diseases. No one really knows the full extent of just how bad BPA is yet. And there are many more potentially dangerous chemicals in plastic. More and more you can find BPA free plastic, but that doesn't guarantee the other chemicals in it are safe.

BPA may also be found in water filter pitchers. The water is usually kept cold and does not spend as much time exposed to the plastic. It is not the best solution out there but they still provide cleaner water. You have to weigh to pros and cons.

Bottled water is expensive

It is not only more expensive than gasoline, bottled water is over 1,000 times more expensive than tap water. I read a report that said it is actually 1,900 times more expensive. If you use water filters at home it is still many times cheaper than bottled water.

There are many under the counter, or under the sink water filters, that you can buy from Amazon that are very easy to install and inexpensive. These are probably one of the easiest solutions. If you need water bottles they also sell metal ones which are much safer and more durable.

Water bottle pollution

Drinking from water bottles is not healthier than tap water, it often has the same cocktail of chemicals in it, but your bottled water has been absorbing those extra chemicals from plastic. This is a good enough reason to limit and even avoid it. But a major one is the massive pollution problem it has already caused. The bottles get thrown everywhere and soon there won't be anywhere to throw it.