Bottled water is hugely popular these days. People perceive it (thanks to good marketing) as pure, better tasting and healthier than plain tap water. Well, studies have shown that it's often no better than tap water. And sometimes it is tap water. Here's what one recent study found:

 

Tests on leading brands of bottled water turned up a variety of contaminants often found in tap water, according to a study released Wednesday by an environmental advocacy group.

The study's lab tests on 10 brands of bottled water detected 38 chemicals including bacteria, caffeine, the pain reliever acetaminophen, fertilizer, solvents, plastic-making chemicals and the radioactive element strontium. Though some probably came from tap water that some companies use for their bottled water, other contaminants probably leached from plastic bottles, the researchers said.

 

Link to the full story

 

Do you buy bottled water? Do you see it as having health benefits over tap water? Is it worth the cost?

I read a similiar article a couple of years ago and stopped buying bottled water right after that. Instead I bought a Brita water filter to put on my sink tap and I fill up the same water bottle when I go to the gym. This water tastes just as good and it's better for the environment since I'm not throwing away plastic bottles everyday.

I was reading another article on this and then the news show on the local CBS station went into this story.

I guess the hype works, I personally drink 10 times more water from bottled water than I did ever did before. I even gave up softdrinks for water about a year ago.

I occasionally buy bottled water but then use the bottle to put tap water in it.

I occasionally buy bottled water but then use the bottle to put tap water in it.

 

That's how I roll as well. I actually like the taste of tap water better.

That's how I roll as well. I actually like the taste of tap water better.

 

Same for me. I get a few refills out of one bottle with my pure, clean and tap water.

Believe me, it's a scam! Bottled water is a maga-million industry. It's actually much less healthier than tap water. There's no regulations imposed on it like municipal water utilities. You can find all kind of facts about your water sources from the EPA or Division of Water.

I think the best thing to invest in would be a Brita filter.

I occasionally buy bottled water but then use the bottle to put tap water in it.

 

Same deal here. I'll buy a couple bottles of water, fill them with tap water and keep them in the fridge. They usually last me weeks until I lose or accidentally throw them away.

In my hometown, the tap water tastes awful so we buy bottled spring water, or we go to a nearby spring and re-fill empty bottles.

No bottled water for me - seems like a waste of money.

I have a Britta filter pitcher. I use that a lot of the time.

 

I only buy bottled water if I am parched at work and there's no free water around.

 

Bottled water is such a rip off.

I have a Britta filter pitcher. I use that a lot of the time.

 

I only buy bottled water if I am parched at work and there's no free water around.

 

Bottled water is such a rip off.

 

:thumb:

I like Lewis Black's take on bottled water...