Water should not be judged by its history, but by its quality.

– Dr Lucas Van Vuuren

Introduction

As time goes on, Americans seem to be drinking more bottled water. In 2016, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in conjunction with the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), reported, “In 2015, total U.S. bottled water consumption grew by 7.9 percent to 11.7 billion gallons, up from 10.87 billion gallons in 2014. In addition, per-capita consumption is up 7.1 percent in 2015, with every person in America drinking an average of 36.5 gallons of bottled water last year.”

These findings seem to suggest a certain belief in the water the bottle has to offer. Although many people are quite particular with their preference for bottled water, their reasons may come as a surprise. In fact, in a recent study [1], researchers studying social norms, affect and image, found these variables to positively influence consumers preference of bottled water over tap water.

On the face of it, though, people seem to have different reasons. Some say it’s the taste they prefer. There’s no arguing with someone’s subjective taste.

The most widespread argument, however, appears to be the claim that bottled water is healthier and of higher quality than tap water. Yet, according to the Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF), “drinking water, whether from the tap or a bottle, is generally safe, and … regulatory requirements for both tap water and bottled water provide Americans with clean, safe drinking water. There are some differences in regulations for each, but those differences highlight the differences between drinking water delivered by a public water system and drinking water delivered to the consumer in a sealed container.” (click here, to download the report.)

The Anatomy of a Water Bottle

Different Sources of Bottled Water

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classification of bottled water includes “artesian water, mineral water, sparkling bottled water, spring water” and “purified water,” whether it is “distilled, demineralized, deionized,” or “reverse osmosis water.” (For a nice breakdown of the different primary types of water, see this post, by Julia Layton.)

This means that the bottle conceals more than it reveals about the nature of the water it contains. Two seemingly similar bottles, with images of a flowing stream of water, can have very different histories. One emerged from a natural spring and the other, from a faucet, similar to the one you use to wash your hands.

What’s the Difference in a Bottle?

In truth, all bottled drinking water is subject to the same Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). Based on the CGMPs, the FDA requires producers to pay attention to sanitary conditions, use quality control processes, protect from contaminants, and sample and test the water.

This means that what you’re drinking is, most likely, safe, though, natural spring water has an advantage over purified water.

In the words of Fox News, “Natural spring bottled water comes from a naturally occurring source, like a spring located underground. This is the kind of bottled water you want to look for because it tends to come from remote areas or protected land. It also usually contains natural and healthy trace minerals and elements like calcium and potassium.”

But take it with a grain of salt (no pun intended): “Natural spring bottled water isn’t necessarily 100 percent pure, but it is less likely to have been contaminated by anything man-made. However, water migrates, so if someone pollutes water upstream, residue from that contamination can travel downstream.”

What Matters

In a country like the U.S.A., tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and considered to be relatively safe. So, if you’re looking for something more than a portable container, in your bottled water, here are two key factors to look out for:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in some plastics, which you may rather do without. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects … on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.” And “additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure.”

So make sure to look for a bottle that is “BPA free.”

• The source of the water should be clearly identified on the label. Water that comes from a natural spring or contains minerals, doesn’t have what to hide. If the label doesn’t list the water’s source (not just in the company name or image), ask yourself, why.

Conclusion

Bottled water is a major industry, but not all bottles were created equal. If your health is what influences your choice for bottled water, pay attention to the label.

What are some of your habits when choosing a water bottle?

Please share in the comments below.

[1] Etale, Anita, Marilou Jobin, and Michael Siegrist. “Tap versus bottled water consumption: The influence of social norms, affect and image on consumer choice.” Appetite 121 (2018): 138-146.