For years, bottled water has been promoted as the purest, safest and healthiest option for human consumption. In supermarkets, gyms, offices and events, plastic bottles have become synonymous with convenience and modernity. However, behind that image lies a far more complex reality.
Various scientific studies and public health bodies have warned about the negative impacts that the regular consumption of bottled water can have, both on health and on the environment.
From microplastic contamination to questions about its true origin, as well as its carbon footprint and the release of chemical substances into the water, the accumulated evidence calls for a deep reflection on this consumption habit.
In this article, we rigorously analyse five key reasons to stop consuming bottled water and present an alternative that truly protects both your health and the planet.
1. Tap water is just as safe (or even safer) than bottled water
One of the most common arguments in defence of bottled water is its supposed purity compared to tap water. However, this perception is not supported by real data. In countries such as Spain, the quality of tap water is guaranteed through strict regulations and more than one million analytical checks every year, carried out by health and municipal authorities.
These regulations are based on guidelines set by the European Union, which establish clear limits for potentially harmful substances such as nitrates, heavy metals, residual chlorine and pathogenic bacteria.
By contrast, bottled water is not necessarily subject to the same requirements. Although it is governed by its own regulations (such as Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Directive 2009/54/EC for mineral waters), in many cases these are not updated as frequently and do not cover certain emerging contaminants.
In addition, while tap water is usually analysed several times a day, many bottled water brands carry out checks by batch or even by production campaign.
Organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Environment Agency agree that there is no conclusive evidence showing bottled water to be safer or more beneficial than tap water in areas where tap water is potable.
In fact, in certain European cities with hard water — rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium — tap water can even offer a more complete mineral profile than many low-mineral bottled waters.
2. Plastic bottles can release chemical substances into the water
One of the main health concerns associated with bottled water is related to the packaging material: plastic. Although bottles are designed to safely contain liquids, various studies have shown that under certain conditions they can release chemical compounds that migrate into the water and are ultimately ingested by the consumer.
These substances include phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), known for their ability to act as endocrine disruptors. This means they can interfere with the human hormonal system, affecting functions such as reproduction, metabolism or neurological development.
Although many bottles today are labelled as “BPA-free”, this does not mean they are free from other compounds with similar effects.
The migration of these chemicals is encouraged by factors such as exposure to heat, direct sunlight or prolonged storage — conditions that are common during the transport and distribution of bottled water.
Research such as that carried out by the Granada Biosanitary Research Institute has confirmed that, under real-life consumption conditions, chemical residues can be detected in bottled waters that have been stored in suboptimal conditions.
The presence of these compounds not only represents a long-term risk to human health, but also raises doubts about the suitability of plastic as a container for a product as essential and sensitive as drinking water.
3. Not all bottled water comes from springs
There is a widespread perception that bottled water always comes from pure and protected natural sources, such as high-mountain springs or deep aquifers. However, this image is often more the result of marketing than reality.
According to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), at least 25% of bottled water sold worldwide comes directly from municipal supplies. In other words, it is treated tap water — sometimes not even filtered — that is bottled and sold.
Although it can legally be marketed under names such as “prepared drinking water” or “purified water”, consumers are often unaware of this due to a lack of transparency in labelling.
Moreover, bottling companies are not required to provide water quality analyses with the same frequency or level of detail as those published for tap water. This lack of traceability makes it difficult to know with certainty the true origin of the water, its mineral content or the absence of emerging contaminants.
Choosing bottled water under the assumption that it is inherently purer or more natural can therefore lead to poorly informed consumer decisions, especially when in many cases one is paying a premium for a product that does not differ significantly from tap water.
4. Bottled water has a high environmental impact
Beyond health risks, the mass consumption of bottled water represents a direct threat to the environment. The life cycle of a single plastic bottle — from production to disposal — entails a significant ecological burden, much of which is invisible to the end consumer.
From an economic perspective, various analyses have shown that bottled water can cost between 200 and 1,000 times more per litre than tap water, depending on the country and the brand.
A report by Food & Water Watch and data collected by the International Bottled Water Association estimate that consumers spend, on average, more than €1,000 per year if they regularly consume bottled water, compared with just €2–3 per year for tap water.
To manufacture a single one-litre bottle, approximately three litres of water are needed, along with a significant amount of oil, used both as a raw material and as an energy source in the production process.
In addition, once bottled, the water often travels hundreds or even thousands of kilometres before reaching its destination, generating greenhouse gas emissions linked to transport and logistics.
But the biggest problem lies in what happens after consumption. Despite recycling efforts, it is estimated that around 80% of plastic bottles are not properly recycled.
Many end up in landfill sites, incinerators or, worse still, in natural ecosystems. The oceans, for example, receive millions of tonnes of plastic waste every year, a significant proportion of which comes from discarded water bottles.
This consumption model is incompatible with sustainability goals and the fight against climate change. Reducing or eliminating the use of single-use plastic bottles is one of the most effective actions any individual can take to reduce their ecological footprint.
5. Microplastics have been detected in most bottled water
One of the most alarming revelations in recent years has been the presence of microplastics in bottled water.
A pioneering study carried out in 2018 by OrbMedia, in collaboration with the State University of New York, analysed 250 bottles of water from 11 international brands. The results were striking: 92% of the samples contained plastic particles, with an average of 325 microparticles per litre, and some bottles exceeding 10,000.
Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm in diameter, invisible to the naked eye but potentially harmful to human health.
Although their full effects are not yet fully understood, it is suspected that they may accumulate in tissues, act as carriers for toxic substances and trigger inflammatory or endocrine responses in the body.
Most concerning of all is that bottled water contained almost twice as many microplastics as tap water in comparative analyses, contradicting the perception of greater purity.
These findings have been replicated by independent institutions and have prompted organisations such as the WHO to launch deeper investigations into the potential health risks of chronic microplastic consumption.
Conclusion: a healthier, more sustainable and more conscious alternative
Regular consumption of bottled water involves a range of risks that often go unnoticed: exposure to chemical substances, possible presence of microplastics, lack of transparency regarding origin and composition, and a disproportionate environmental impact for such a basic product as water.
In response, choosing filtered tap water represents a balanced and responsible solution. In most European countries, tap water is potable and of high quality, and with advanced filtration systems — such as Tappwater’s activated carbon filters — it is possible to remove contaminants like chlorine, microplastics, heavy metals and pesticide residues, while preserving beneficial minerals
Moreover, this model not only improves household health, but also drastically reduces single-use plastic consumption, financial costs and individual carbon footprint.
Drinking water should not be a risk or a threat to the planet. With small changes, we can make more informed, healthier and more sustainable choices.