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Bottled Water is 3,500 Times More Harmful Than Tap Water

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Bottled Water is 3,500 Times More Harmful Than Tap Water

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The human body is up to 60% water. These days, however, consumers have to ask themselves a very important question: What kind of water do I want my body to be made of? Although there are myriad choices-sparkling water, flavored water, and even vitamin-infused water-the two most common choices are plain-old tap water and regular bottled water. Consumers tend to believe the former is better for the environment, the latter is better for one's health but a new study puts those assumptions to the test.﻿﻿

Led by researchers at the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal) and published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, the study compares the health and environmental benefits of three kinds of water-bottled water, tap water, and filtered tap water-in the city of Barcelona, where bottled water is becoming more popular despite recent investments in water treatment that have made the local tap water more drinkable.﻿﻿

The results were indisputable: Tap water is better than bottled water-both for people and for the planet.﻿﻿

A lot better, researchers assert. If the whole population of Barcelona decided to drink bottled water instead of tap water, they suggest, it would cost $83.9 million per year to extract the raw materials needed for bottles, production of which would cause the destruction of 1.43 species per year. Compared to tap water, that's 3,500 times the cost of resource extraction and 1,400 times the impact on ecosystems.﻿﻿

The researchers note:

The higher environmental impact of bottled water was attributed to the high input of materials (i.e. packaging) and energy needed for bottled water production as compared to tap water. Indeed, raw materials and energy required for bottle manufacturing accounted for the majority of the impact of bottled water use (up to 90% of the impact in all indicators), consistent with previous studies.

But what of health? Although consumers perceive bottled water as being healthier than tap water, the scientific data don't necessarily bear that out.

"Our results show that considering both the environmental and the health effects, tap water is a better option than bottled water, because bottled water generates a wider range of impacts," said Cathryn Tonne, ISGlobal researcher and co-author of the study with Villanueva. "The use of domestic filters, in addition to improving the taste and odor of tap water, in some cases can substantially reduce THM levels. For this reason, filtered tap water is a good alternative. Even though we didn't have enough data to measure its environmental impactfully, we know it is much lower than that of bottled water."

Although they hope their study will persuade some people to switch to tap water, the researchers say much larger public information efforts are necessary in order to move the needle away from the bottle and toward the tap.

The findings of the study spotlight the impact plastic water bottles have worldwide. Globally, more than 1 million plastic bottles are sold every minute. Not only does it take 2,000 times the energy to produce bottled water than tap water, but anywhere between 5 million to 13 million tons of plastic makes its way to the oceans each year. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the ocean will contain more plastic (by weight) than fish by 2050.﻿﻿

In the United States, in particular, more than 17 million barrels of oil are required to meet the nation's annual demand for bottled water, with 86% of plastic water bottles becoming garbage or litter.﻿﻿

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Bottled Water Is 3,500 Times More Harmful Than Tap Water

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The human body is up to 60% water. These days, however, consumers have to ask themselves a very important question: What kind of water do I want my body to be made of? Although there are myriad choices-sparkling water, flavored water, and even vitamin-infused water-the two most common choices are plain-old tap water and regular bottled water.

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Ocean Confetti, a MinuteEarth explainer about challenge of micro-plastics

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“Despite the publicity about huge garbage patches in the sea, most of the ocean’s plastic isn’t big — our castaway shopping bags and soda bottles get

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It's the battle over water! Should you be dropping cash on bottled versions or is tap the way to go? We're diving into this controversy and sprinkling you with all the facts.

There are different varieties of bottled water, depending on their source. Here is a rundown:

Mineral water comes from an underground source and contains a certain amount of minerals and trace element like copper, zinc, and arsenic.

Spring water is collected from a spring that flows naturally through the surface.

Municipal water comes from a public source that is usually treated before it's bottled. You may see it labeled as "purified water."

Having bottled water available when you're on the go is convenient and less messy (many reusable bottles leak), but recent studies conducted will make any bottle-loving person a skeptic.

According to a 2008 investigation conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a variety of contaminants were found in every tested brand of bottled water. Although tap water is typically tested annually, bottled water doesn't have to meet the same testing standards and they don't have to disclose results of any contaminant testing conducted. After conducting this research, the EWG concluded that the "purity of bottled water cannot be trusted...[and] consumer confidence in the purity of bottled water is simply not justified."

Also, bottled water has a larger carbon footprint than tap water and doesn't contain any of the added nutrients found in tap water (like fluoride)-though you can find bottled water that has been fortified with fluoride. the problem is, over-consumption of fluoridated water can lead to fluorosis which causes a brownish discoloration on the teeth. It also costs thousands of times more than tap water.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. has one of the safest sources of drinking water. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the public by regulating the water supply and protecting its sources. The 3-step process to ensure clean water includes removal of dirt and other particles, filtration to remove clay or natural organic matter, and treatment with chlorine, chlorinates or chlorine dioxides. By law, water suppliers must inform you within 24 hours if your water has become contaminated.

Tap water usually contains a variety of healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium since it travels through rock formations. Fluoride is added to most sources of tap water since the mineral isn't found in many food sources. It's beneficial for healthy teeth and bones.

Tap water can also pick up pesticides which have been washed into streams and rivers. Chlorine is added to tap water to help disinfect it, but it can react with fallen leaves to form a toxic byproduct. Even your own pipes can contaminate tap water with lead. The government does test the water regularly to ensure safety. Check the EPA website to find out about your local drinking water.

Those with a low immune systems like transplant recipients, those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemo, pregnant women, older adults, children and infants are more sensitive to any issues with the tap water. They're advised to filter their tap water or to choose bottled versions.

Bottom Line: Don't be fooled into thinking that bottled water is cleaner or more pure than the good old tap. If you have clean tap water, then save your money and go for it. Bottled water is good for times when you're in a pinch.

TELL US: Which do you prefer?

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby's full bio "

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Should You Drink Bottled Water or Tap Water?

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It's the battle over water! Should you be dropping cash on bottled versions or is tap the way to go? We're diving into this controversy and sprinkling you with all the facts. There are different varieties of bottled water, depending on their source.