Plastic water bottles often seem more convenient and safe than tap water, but this is not true. Oftentimes, we turn to bottled water because it’s 1) more “pure”, or tastier, and 2) more convenient than what comes from the tap. Let’s dive into it. 

First, what does it mean to be “purer” and does bottled water taste better? The difference between these two waters is who regulates the standards. The EPA regulates tap water, while FDA regulates bottled water, but in both cases, there are similar standards. Differences in taste often have to do with different sources. For example, water in Saint Louis, Missouri, from the Missouri River tastes different from water in Fairfax, Virginia, from the Potomac River. Both, however, are safe sources of drinking water (after being treated, of course). While this news piece details plastic bottles as problematic, it unnecessarily raises drinking water safety concerns. It’s alarmist regard for PFAS or “forever chemicals” found in drinking water is a little extreme, especially in light of Fairfax Water’s analysis in April of 2021 (spoiler: no risk for PFAS exposure).  So to answer our question, no, bottled water is not “purer” or inherently safer than tap water. 

Local Fairfax County stream ridden with single-use plastic water bottles. Photo Credit: Emily Foppe

Secondly, bottled water companies sell a convenient way to drink water. This means companies selling plastic water bottles really sell plastic bottles filled with tap water. The life-cycle of plastic bottles contributes to global warming and pollution– you only have to step out into your local creeks to find evidence of massive amounts of plastic pollution (see photo)! To say plastic pollution is inconvenient to the environment does not do it justice. This great source of information estimates $13 billion in yearly losses due to plastic pollution in marine environments– where all freshwater in our streams eventually flows. 

Now that we have debunked the convenience, safety and tastiness of bottled water, join us this Plastic Free July in committing to reusable water bottles. Keep one in your car, in case you forget. No water bottle refill station at work or the gym? Fill it up in the sink or at a regular drinking fountain! What’s more, advocate for producer responsibility. We were all told growing up to clean up our own messes, and corporations have made profits off of polluting the environment. See our previous post on why solely individual action can’t solve the plastic pollution problem at hand.