The Truth Behind Bottled Water

Bottled water generally can be relied upon to be safe from bacteria and free of chlorine. Many consumers believe that bottled waters are of higher quality than tap water, although it is not generally true. Many bottled waters are only processed tap water, and their quality varies widely depending on the quality of the local water and the type of filtration used.

Buying "pure" water in a plastic bottle defeats the purpose, because the plastic quickly leaches into the water. Federal and state regulations for bottled water are confusing and changeable; and some bottled waters are even exempt from regulation! Fluoride levels in some brands were five times higher than those in tap water. High pollutant levels are allowed in bottled water based on an industry-wide assumption that bottled waters are consumed as a beverage - a health conscious alternative to an alcoholic beverage or soda pop and not as the primary source of drinking water.

There are many excellent brands of bottled water on the market today that can be enjoyed as a refreshing beverage even if not as a regular source of drinking water. Bottled water is defined by the Food and Drug Administration as simply "water that is sealed in bottles or other containers and intended for human consumption." Federal regulations require that bottled waters marketed across state lines meet federal standards for drinking water. Those bottled waters sold only within individual states need to meet only state requirements, which can vary from federal standards.

The purity of bottled water is controlled under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (mineral waters and soda waters specifically are exempt and thus are not regulated at all). Legally accepted sources for bottled water are wells, springs, and public water right from the tap. No requirements specify that the source of the water or any treatment it has undergone be listed on the label, but if any information is given at all, it must be truthful and not misleading. Manufacturers have an excellent selling point in telling if the water has come from a well or a spring, so if the source of the water is not revealed, chances are the water is treated tap water.

Bottled waters are divided into two types: still (without bubbles) and sparkling (with bubbles). Even though there are no state or federal regulations for the labeling of bottled-water containers, the labels do use certain generalized descriptive terms. Drinking water is tap or well water processed in some way before bottling while spring water is water that emerges from the earth's surface under its own pressure, sometimes through a pipe.

Water in bottles labeled "Spring water" must come from a spring; "Natural spring water," unlike plain spring water, may not be processed in any way before it goes into the bottle. Beware of companies with the word "spring" in the company name rather than in the name of the product, or companies referring to the product as "spring-fresh," "springlike," or "spring-pure." Do not mistakenly assume that this water is from a spring.

Mineral water is water containing a legally specified level of minerals. "Natural mineral water" is sparkling or still water, usually from a spring, which contains only the naturally occurring minerals. Regular "mineral water" may have had minerals added or removed.

Sparkling water is water that contains bubbles made by carbon dioxide gas. "Naturally sparkling" water contains the bubbles when it is underground; when the water is drawn from the spring, the natural carbon dioxide is removed separately and reinjected during bottling. Some still waters also are carbonated, with either natural or manufactured carbon dioxide.

Club sodas and seltzer water are not controlled by federal regulations. Both are merely filtered and carbonated tap water; club soda also contains added mineral salts. The quality of these waters will differ greatly, depending on the local water and the method of filtration used.