Bottled vs. Tap Water?

Hi Theodor,

I ask myself this question every day. In fact, I think I posted a similar question a few days ago. Many people may prefer bottled water over tap, because the purification process uses chemicals like chlorine, which remain in the water and can be harmful to your health (i.e. cancer-causing) after long-term exposure. But most home water filters are capable of reducing chlorine significantly, so I don't know why this would be an issue. Another issue is the fluoride debate (which I plan to write about soon). While some maintain that fluoride in tap water is essential to good dental health, a lot of people disagree and would prefer not to have fluoride added to their water. But again, a good reverse osmosis filter can reduce fluoride, so there's no need for bottled water in this case either. I, along with many others, believe that the success of bottled water today is mostly due to clever marketing tactics. Most bottled water is nothing more than purified tap water anyway. 

I write for a blog that discusses these issues in more detail ... if you're interested in reading up on this more, please check it out! Also, here's an article on the issue of banning bottled water in schools, along with an interesting rebuttal by the VP of Communications at the International Bottled Water Association - this lays out both sides of the argument pretty well. 

I belong to the generation that drank only tap water or well water. Somehow we seem to have survived. Personally I think the bottled water industry is a scam. OK, drink it if it makes you feel better and can afford it.