The Truth About Bottled Water: Health and Environmental Concerns

Bottled water is hugely popular in the U.S., often seen as cleaner and healthier than tap water. However, around 64% of bottled water actually comes from municipal sources—the same tap water used in homes. Some brands purify their water extensively, while others barely change it, yet all sell it at a high markup.

Certain brands, like Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Food’s Acadia, have been found to contain pollutants exceeding safety limits, shaking consumer trust. Meanwhile, companies such as Nestlé Pure Life and Gerber Pure openly share their purification processes like reverse osmosis and distillation.

Interestingly, tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with stricter testing and reporting requirements than bottled water, which is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means tap water may actually be safer and more reliably monitored.

Studies have also found contaminants like arsenic, bacteria, and microplastics in bottled water, some introduced during bottling or from plastic packaging. The long-term health effects of microplastics remain unclear but concerning.

Beyond health, bottled water harms the environment through plastic waste and fossil fuel use. Using tap water and reusable bottles is a safer, cheaper, and more eco-friendly option.