There are a lot of myths related to tap water and bottled water. Here are the top 3 myths about bottled water vs tap water debunked:
1. Bottled water is better than tap water
Thanks to decades of myth-building, the common belief is that bottled water is better than tap water.
This is not true.
In Western Europe and North America, about 99% of public tap water is potable (drinkable according to EU, EPA, and WHO guidelines). The only drawback in some places is poor taste and smell, mainly due to hardness, minerals, and higher concentrations of chlorine (used for disinfection purposes). There is no scientific proof that bottled water is healthier than tap water.
2. Bottled water is much safer than tap water
False.
Tap water is strictly regulated. The water in Barcelona, Spain for example, undergoes 527 checks every day, and that’s actually more than bottled water. There is once again no scientific evidence that bottled water is safer.
3. Bottled water is fine as long as bottles are recycled
False.
The issue is not just the plastic waste but the entire value chain of water bottles. From production to distribution, the process of generating bottled water in plastic is unsustainable. 3 liters of water are needed on average to produce one liter of bottled water when including the production of plastic, transportation, filtering, and filling up the bottles. And then we have the microplastic problem.
Summary: Bottled water is not healthier or safer. In addition to this, the value chain of plastic water bottles has a big environmental footprint.
We hope that the top 3 myths about bottled water vs tap water was helpful and informative. Please comment!
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- How water filters work and why you might need one
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