In a simple answer, Maybe?!
The age-old question of "which is better, bottled water or tap water?" seems to have disappeared based on the assumption that bottled water is simply better. You may be surprised to find out that this may not be true. City water is closely regulated by the EPA and undergoes daily testing to make make sure that it is safe to drink. Recent news stories and mishaps with testing procedures has certainly faltered everyone's confidence in the system. However, that doesn't automatically make bottled water the obvious choice. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA and not the EPA. All of our strict regulations and EPA information on toxins no longer applies. The bottled water industry is on a whole different playing field.
Since bottled water doesn’t fall under the guidelines of the EPA, what exactly does it have to do to meet FDA approval? Bottled water doesn’t need to meet the high standards that city tap water must meet in terms of water treatment, contamination, and other testing.
On the federal level, it is not mandated that bottled water be any safer than tap water – chemical pollution standards are nearly identical
Depending on the contaminant being tested for, the FDA requires water treatment testing for contaminants only once a week, once a year, or once every four years. The EPA requires testing several times a day for contaminants.
Various studies performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) prove that the testing performed by the FDA is in dire need of improvement. One of the extensive studies, which has been considered “groundbreaking”, shows the following results:
- 9 out of 10 of the best selling bottled water brands either don’t disclose information about the source of the water, contamination testing, or if and how it is purified
- Out of the 173 bottled water brands surveyed, over 50% flunked EWG’s transparency test
- 18% of the bottled water tested failed to make known the location of their water source
- 32% disclosed no information regarding the treatment or purity of the water
Remember also that water that bottled has been adjusted or processed in order to be stored for extended periods of time. At one point it was probably excellent water but, by the time it hits the shelves, it is a product for profit, not health.
The best way to know exactly what you are putting in your body is to be in control. Using a water filtration system that offers NSF (Nation Saftey Foundation) regulated toxin removal levels in your home gives you control over what you are consuming. Remeber, if you're not filtering your water, your body becomes the filter.
Water filtration and purification can be tough to navigate. eWater can help you find what's best for you and your family.
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