Bottled water may be convenient, but how do we know if it is
better or safer than tap water?
- The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water nationwide
and water imported our country.
- The FDA’s standards for bottled water are not the same as the
Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for municipal drinking
water.
- Also, not all bottled water is the same, and to some extent that
must be reflected in the labeling.
What are the different water types?
- Spring Water - is water from an underground source that flows
naturally to the surface.
- Purified Water – is water that has been filtered or distilled
in some way to meet medical standards for pure water. It could come
from any source.
- Mineral Water – is water drawn from a protected underground
source that contains at least 250 parts per million dissolved mineral
solids.
How can you tell if bottled water is just repackaged tap water?
If it is labeled as “drinking water” or has municipal water
listed as the source, then it is probably basic tap water that has been
filtered and bottled. It may have had minerals added for taste. Any water
labeled as “natural” must come from an underground source.
Read the label, not all water is the same.
