Is Bottled Water Just Tap Water with a Prettier Label? Debunking the Myth

Introduction

For decades, the humble glass of tap water has been playing second fiddle to its more glamorous bottled counterpart. But is the content of bottled water really so different from what flows from our faucets at home? In this article, we'll dive into the truth behind bottled water and explore whether it's just a fancy, purified version of our tap water.

Historical Context: The Water Industry Study

Around 20 years ago, a study was conducted that significantly impacted the perception of bottled water. While I don’t have the exact citation, it sparked discussions in the water industry and yielded an interesting conclusion. Most brands of bottled water, unless explicitly labelled as purified or distilled, were found to be no different from tap water from a municipal supplier. The key finding was that the vast majority of bottled water had removed chlorine but was otherwise similar to tap water, with the exception of some purified or distilled varieties.

Understanding the Science: TDS and Purity Levels

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure of the overall amount of solids dissolved in water. Municipal tap water typically has a TDS of around 130ppm to 500ppm, which might seem high. However, running tap water through an inline carbon filter can remove chlorine and some trace pollutants, improving the taste and making the water more palatable. For clarity, a typical reverse osmosis (RO) unit processes water with a TDS level of 130ppm to produce drinking water with TDS levels ranging from 6ppm to 13ppm, which is much purer.

For water to be officially labelled as "Purified" or "Distilled" by the FDA, it must have a TDS content of no more than 10 parts per million (ppm). This stringent requirement means that highly purified bottled water is indeed a significantly different product from ordinary tap water, but it’s crucial to question whether it’s worth the extra cost.

Myth or Reality: Is Tap Water Actually Used for Bottled Water?

It’s a common misconception that bottled water is always pristine and untainted. While some brands claim to use spring water, the reality is more complex. According to regulations, "spring water" can indeed be bottled from municipal water sources that are pumped from underground aquifers. However, there’s no concrete evidence to prove that these claims are always truthful. Many bottled water brands do use high-purity processing to ensure that the water they sell meets the stringent standards required for such labelling.

Even if home tap water were used, the typical inline carbon filter wouldn’t significantly change the TDS content, though it would improve taste and remove unwanted chlorine and pollutants. This processing does not qualify as the level of purification required for bottled water to be legally sold as purified or distilled.

It’s important to note that while tap water and bottled water can sometimes be similar, the added processing in bottled water does make it distinct. However, the genuine sources and processing methods can vary widely, and there’s no guarantee that any bottled water is truly a purer or safer alternative to tap.

Conclusion

The debate over whether bottled water is simply a prettier label on tap water continues. While some bottled water undergoes extensive purification to achieve lower TDS levels, many brands still rely on processed tap water meeting strict safety standards. So, while there may be some truth in the notion that bottled water is just filtered tap water, the complexity of the water treatment processes means there can be significant differences. Whether it's worth the additional cost is a personal choice that depends on one’s health concerns and preferences.