I’m one of those weird, annoying people who prefer tap water to both bottled and filtered water. I also prefer room temperature to cold water, and don’t like ice in my H2O, but that’s another story.
I think tap water gets a bad rap. So many people refuse to drink it, and don’t even do so in their own homes. I see it when I have people over and they ask if I have any water. Well, of course I do! (To be clear, I do have filtered water that comes from my fridge, along with ice. I just don’t drink it).
It blows my mind when somebody would rather drink bottled water than they would tap water. To me, bottled water is a last resort because it’s so bad for you. It’s interesting, because at work, we spend hundreds of dollars annually to supply the staff in our office with bottled water from a water cooler, and we also try to endorse healthy living to cut down on sick time. It’s sort of ironic.
Here is a case for tap water, simply by arguing against bottled water, and even filtered water.
Both Filtered and Bottled Water Come from a Tap
That “spring water” from a bottle that you are drinking? Yup, tap water. Bottling companies fill up their bottles from taps. That’s why they are “publicly sourced”. You are paying a premium because the water is in plastic, which is crazy. You’re paying a premium to essentially drink chemical.
Companies that sell spring water aren’t literally standing under a spring waterfall filling up bottles.
I don’t have to tell you that if you have a water filter, it’s “filtering” tap water.
Filtration
If you live in the first world, the filtration systems that are engineered for tap water to ensure it is safe for human consumption is substantially higher than that of bottled water companies. In fact, tap water is tested almost excessively, and companies that bottle water don’t have those controls in place, because they are not required by the government in the US.
Filtering your tap water with a filter will do very little except for maybe suck some of the valuable minerals out of the water. Putting tap water through a filter is like hand washing your dishes entirely before putting them in the dishwasher. It is completely unnecessary and is just an extra step.
Plastic is Terrible For You
This is what really blows my mind: people refuse to drink tap water because they feel like it’s not good enough for them (not filtered enough, maybe? Not clean enough?) yet bottled water leaks chemicals into the water, which you then consume. Plastic is terrible for you! The chemicals that leaches into your plastic bottled water can, upon regular consumption, cause fertility issues, different types of cancers, even defects.
Many people I’ve talked to about this issue tell me that they’ve heard that this is only if the bottle has been exposed to heat, because it then releases more of the chemical into the water. Yes, that expedites it, but the water is in the bottle for months before you purchase and consume it; it’s a slow leak of poison.
Plastic filter systems are not good either, if the water is sitting in a plastic container in your fridge. You’d rather drink chemicals than tap water? Really?
Not only is bottled water and extra consumption of consumer goods like filters and jugs terrible for the environment, and therefor your health in a secondary way as well, it’s being consumed and manufactured unnecessarily. Tap water is completely safe and acceptable for human consumption.
Do you drink tap water?
Have you seen the documentary, “Thirst?” Very disturbing.
We drink tap water. The planet has nowhere to keep these millions of plastic bottles that we use every year.
No, I haven’t, but I’m interested now!
I mostly drink tap water but do belong to the water club at work. As we don’t have a kitchen, having that hot water access for my own tea is nice. I hadn’t ever thought of the plastic issue though! Good post
Yes, it’s convenient if there is no kitchen around.
Daisy!!! A fascinating post! I hate the idea of bottled water, but we do use a filter on our tap. After reading your article I really need to question whether we need it and those damn things are expensive. Would love to do without that extra expense, especially if it is totally unnecessary. Have a minty one!!!
Let me know what you come up with! I’m interested!
I’ve been drinking tap water for a long time now, however, it’s filtered through my fridge. As for the plastic, the cheap plastic water bottles are really bad, most definitely, but I can’t say my BPA free one is much better. I really need to switch to aluminum.
I think your BPA free one IS much better, because it’s re-usable. It’s not a drink and toss! So it’s better for the environment. Maybe not amazing for your health though.
We have a Brita and just fill that up with tap water. Super cheap!
It’s better than bottled 🙂
we do use the filter on our fridge and/or brita filters on our drinking water. i do believe that what you say is true, but there can also be buildup in the copper pipes in your home and/or in the sink mechanism itself. have you ever replaced a kitchen sink? there can be some nasty gunk that builds up in and around those pipes over time. using a filter will keep this gunk from getting into your water.
I’m still a skeptic that anybody needs a filter, but hey, as long as it’s not bottled!
I drink tap water exclusively, but our water comes from remote mountain lakes. Not sure I’d be so cavalier if we had a more questionable source. Even if we did, I might put in a home filtration system, but I wouldn’t rely on bottled water.
In North America, every source is regimented and tested and safe.
Ok, CJ left my comment already! 😉
I think you may have made his day because when he’s going to save money on something AND it’s healthy, oh boy! I was wondering where those Money Eyes were coming from today, and now I know! Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
Have a great one!
Tammy
You guys are too funny!
Same as most everyone else…we use a brita and if we go out, we bring a water bottle and fill it up with water from the brita. Plastic is terrible…and it is also a waste of money.
I hope your bottled water is bottled in aluminum!
Our tap water tastes good, so that’s how we drink it all the time. My mom’s tap water, on the other hand, is terrible. It is clear, but has a bitter metallic taste. I bring along a thermos filled with our tap water anytime we visit her.
Hmm, perhaps her pipes are a bit rusty? That’s interesting. Maybe it’s just the area she lives in.
I’m not a water snob at all. In fact, I only drink tap water at home. It’s strange to me when people think it tastes bad. Have you really been buying water that long? We live in a 1st world country, and aside from the fluoride, we have better water than most other countries.
On that note, I DO drink the local water when I go to other nations. I feel like a jerk white rich pompous fearful American walking around with a Nalgene bottle demanding pure water!
I have never really been anywhere that has non-safe drinking water – even Mexico I was on a resort.
Your posts always amaze me. There’s always something new to learn. Thanks for this!
Thanks for stopping by!
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