Is Tap Water Safer to Drink Than Bottled Water?

Some people prefer to drink bottled water rather than tap water because their tap water isn’t “clean enough.” That’s the main draw of bottled water: It’s already filtered and, unlike some tap water, it’s crystal clear. There are many types of bottled water to choose from, too. Depending on the manufacturer, the label on the bottle may say that it contains mineral, spring, electrolyte-infused or even artesian well water.

But is bottled water actually safer than tap water, or is this an illusion created by masterful marketing schemes?

Is tap water safe to drink?

It depends on where you live, but in most parts of the United States, tap water is very safe to drink. In fact, 90% of people get their water through a public water system regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Just because some tap water may not be fully transparent or has floating particles in it doesn’t mean the water is dirty or contaminated. Instead, it’s likely an indication that you have hard tap water. Hard water naturally contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Many homes in the U.S. have naturally hard water on tap because of their surrounding environments. For instance, if your drinking water flows over rocks and through pipes before coming out of your tap, it will naturally pick up minerals along the way. (Similarly, if you see a black slimy buildup around your sink faucet, it’s likely the trace mineral manganese that has oxidized and attracted harmless bacteria.)

If you’re curious about how safe tap water is in your area, type your zip code into the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database.

Which is better: bottled water or tap water?

Bottled water may be your best option if your area has historically had unreliable access to clean water. However, if your tap water is generally considered safe, there’s no harm in drinking it. Your body may actually benefit from the extra boost of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals in the water.

Also, bottled water isn’t perfect: Additives found in plastics are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with your body’s hormones. Recent research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that plastic particles from the bottle leach into the water. Researchers found that one liter of bottled water contains, on average, about 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic—roughly 90% of which are nanoplastics. These are linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Do your research and choose the option that’s best for you. You can always put a filter on your sink faucet. Or, if you really want to be safe, you can install a reverse osmosis system in your home, which removes contaminants from your tap water.