In many countries, people are used to drinking water from the tap. However, in some countries, tap water may not be safe to drink. Bottled water is a convenient option for people who are unsure about the safety of their tap water, or for people who simply prefer the taste of bottled water.
It is important to note that both tap water and bottled water can be safe to drink, depending on the source of the water and the treatment process. Tap water is typically regulated by the government, and bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Here are some facts on both tap water and bottled water to help you decide which kind of water to drink:
Water Sources
Before you drink your water, it is important to know where it actually comes from. Typically, tap water comes from the ground water or surface water. It may also come from stream, river, lakes and even glaciers. However, your tap water source may differ depending on the area where you live. It is very important to know where exactly the water comes from in your area since urban development, climate change, land management and other factors may affect the quality of your drinking water.
On the other hand, bottled waters mostly come from spring water. However, it is difficult to know where certain bottled water really comes from since most advertisements would use the words “mountain water” and “glacier water” when in fact; some bottled waters are actually tap water that has been purified.
Cleanliness/Pureness
In this modern day where almost everything is fast paced and artificial, it is difficult to know which is clean or pure. Basically, tap water is clean but not pure; and so is bottled water. Today, there is no such thing as pure water since there will always be some chemicals added to it. Tap water may be clean but there are some minerals added to it like fluorine. In bottled water, there are also certain chemicals added like magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Such ingredients are actually added to the water to give it a sweeter taste. Concisely, water is clean when there are no bacteria that can harm your body while water is pure if there is no chemical added to it.
Safety
The most important thing that you have to find out is whether the water you drink is safe or not. If you are drinking tap water, you may be doubtful about its safety. Most people find it safe to drink water but for pregnant women, young children, elderly and adults with certain health conditions, drinking tap water can be risky. Also, water in some cities may have carcinogens which cause cancer. Thus, it is important to know your area’s water quality.
On the one hand, bottled water is always considered and believed to be safer than tap water since it goes through a filtration process which eradicates contaminants. However, many bottled waters contain toxins that can be harmful to your body. Nonetheless, both tap water and bottled water should meet your area’s safety standards. And at the end of the day, it’s still your personal preference that will prevail.
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