7 Reasons to Choose Filtered Tap Water Over Bottled Water

Every year, Americans spend $16 billion on bottled water. This comes as no surprise since many private companies in the U.S. are marketing bottled water as a supposedly healthier and safer choice than tap water. Heck, some of them even encourage distrust of tap water, although as much as 64% of the bottled water they’re selling us is the very same tap water they’re trying to undermine.

The truth is, even though bottled water is one of the highest-selling beverages in America today, it is typically not safer, cleaner, or healthier than the EPA-regulated municipal tap water that’s available in 90 percent of American households. Some plastic water bottles contain toxic chemicals that may pose a grave threat to the environment. Aside from that, the average price mark-up on bottled water is thousands of times the cost of regular tap water.

In response, some colleges and universities across the country are promoting tap water and passing full or partial bans on bottled water on their campuses. That means no more selling of bottled water in cafeterias, vending machines, and other areas on campus.

Filtered water is undoubtedly your best option for safer, cleaner, and healthier drinking water – even on the go. In case you’re wondering why that is so, let’s look at seven good reasons why filtered tap water is better than bottled water.

But first, what’s the real difference between filtered tap water and bottled water?

Filtered water is water that has passed through a thorough filtration process provided by a fully-functioning water filter. The filter uses either a physical barrier, a biological process, a chemical process, or a combination of two or more to eliminate impurities like chlorine and metal deposits from your tap water, thus producing filtered tap water.

On the other hand, bottled water – in this context – is the plastic bottles of water that you can buy at the grocery store, whether single or by the case. If the bottled water comes from groundwater or a municipal water supply system, it likely undergoes some form of purification before being bottled. However, if it is natural spring water or mineral water, it may not be filtered before being packaged and sold, since some types of filtering, like reverse osmosis, could eliminate vital minerals from the water.

7 Reasons to Choose Filtered Tap Water Over Bottled Water

Filtered tap water offers several remarkable benefits over bottled water, such as:

1. You save money in the long run

The upfront purchase price for some water filtration systems might seem relatively high for some people, but in the long run, the system saves you a lot of money. Still, some companies like Springwell offer excellent financing options, so you don’t have to compromise on a high-quality system for one that’s cheaper and less effective.

With bottled water or water cooler systems, moderate to heavy usage means more bottles going empty much faster and a constant need for more water. Of course, the cost to cover this increase in usage can quickly add up. And when you consider that bottled water generally carries price mark-ups of up to 4,000 percent, you know you’ll be pouring money down the drain for weeks, months, or even years to come.

Thankfully, with filtered water, once your system is up and running, you’ll have instant access to safe, clean, and healthy filtered water for a long time (usually a year before maintenance is required). But all in all, you’d be better off spending your money on better things – like a decent-quality tap water filter – than water in bottles.

2. Better water quality

A 2018 study titled “Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water” concluded that plastic contamination is rampant in bottled water. The study analyzed samples taken from 259 bottled waters sold in several countries and found that 93 percent of them contained “microplastic” synthetic polymer particles. Shockingly, the 11 bottled water brands tested in the study are among the most popular and widely available in the U.S. and around the world. These findings prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate the potential dangers of bottled water.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, researchers found high levels of arsenic in bottled water sold at Whole Foods and Walmart, causing those and other companies to remove the contaminated beverage from their shelves.

The polyethylene terephthalate bottles, indicated by a number 1, PET or PETE on the bottle’s bottom are also a significant concern. While they are generally considered to be safe, scientists found that when they’re stored in hot or warm temperatures, the plastic may leach dangerous chemicals into the water.

When all’s said and done, with bottled water, you’ll likely know nothing about what you’re drinking. But even if your public water picks up contaminants along the way, a water filtration system can block them from entering your home, thus providing you and your family with clean, safe, and great-tasting water.

3. Lack of odors

Although chlorine plays a vital role in destroying bacteria and other dangerous impurities that lurk in municipal water, it often leaves behind a highly unpleasant smell when it’s added to water. Thankfully, filtered water is free of this odor because the chemical is eliminated from the water during the filtration process.

4. Better taste

Tap water can also carry an odd taste, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is unhealthy or contaminated. This unusual flavor may be a result of chlorination or the mineral content in the water. Unfortunately, this is a significant issue with tap water, but it can easily be fixed with the addition of a water filter. In no time, the once unpleasant-tasting water will quickly become tasty filtered water.

5. Little to no impact on the planet

The issue with bottled water goes far beyond its unreasonable cost. Using bottled water can also harm the environment. The Pacific Institute found that it requires 17 million barrels of oil every year to produce the bottles, and the bottling process itself causes 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere each year. Also, every year, bottled water produces about 300 million tons of plastic waste.

Keep in mind that not all types of plastic are recyclable, and plastic can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. So, using filtered water means that much fewer plastic ends up landfills to pollute the environment. It also means using fewer fossil fuels in the production of plastic bottles.

6. Enjoy filtered tap water on demand

One of the biggest advantages of filtered tap water is the fact that it is produced on demand. Therefore, you can get it when you need it. Whenever you want to drink clean, contaminant-free water, fetch it from the filtering system that provides it in a few seconds. Also, if you are always on the go, fill a container of your choice with the filtered water beforehand, and carry it with you.

Another great thing about filtered tap water is that you don’t have to buy in bulk and keep it in stock. Better yet, you won’t run out of it. You can fill jugs for parties and other get-togethers to make it easier for guests to refill their glass.

7. Tap water is regulated for safety

Almost all public water systems in America are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for all kinds of contaminants, including bacteria, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and so on. The water distributed by these systems must be filtered and disinfected before being distributed to consumers like yourself. In contrast, there are no federal filtration or disinfection requirements for bottled water.

Still cannot decide? Ask yourself these key questions

If you’re thinking about making the switch from bottled water to filtered tap water, but you’re having some second thoughts, here are a few key questions to ask yourself to help you decide:

· Do you want clean, contaminant-free water for more than just drinking?

If you frequently use water for things like making ice cubes, baby formula, coffee, cooking, etc., then a filtration system is ideal for your needs.

· How many people in your household will be using the water supply?

If your home’s water usage is moderate to heavy, it makes perfect sense to invest in a water filtration system. Installing a water filter will help you save money and will provide much more convenience as the demand for clean water increases.

· Is protecting the environment important to you?

Do you want to reduce the amount of plastic you put into the environment? Or do the benefits of bottled water outweigh this concern? If reducing your environmental impact is high on your list, try filtered water instead of bottled water or packaged water.

· Is convenience a top priority?

Do you want a filtration system that only requires maintenance every 12 months or so, or are you okay with frequently purchasing water in plastic bottles that must be moved, stored, and recycled? If you want a more “set-and-forget” solution, a water filtration system may be the way to go.

· Is space a problem?

Do you want a water cooler that will take up a small amount of space in your home or office, or do you want a system that will hide discreetly on a countertop corner, under the sink, or down in the basement (if you have one)? If you want a system that will remain out of sight, a water filtration system is likely your best bet.

What can you do?

If you’ve decided to switch to filtered tap water,  you’ve made the right move! Now, you’ll need a high-quality water filtration system for you to receive all the fantastic benefits of filtered tap water.

Springwell is your best choice for trusted advice and expertise regarding what system is most suitable for your needs. With over 20 years of experience in the water quality arena and a firm conviction that every family deserves the purest filtered water possible, we are driven to provide the best products at the most competitive prices possible.

We offer a variety of different water filtration systems for homes and businesses, so you’ll be sure to have access to safe drinking water whether you’re relaxing at home or being productive at the office.

If you’re looking for a solution that treats all the water entering your home, our robust and high-efficiency whole-house filtration systems will work wonders for your tap water quality. Our whole-house systems use ActivFlo technology, certified KDF media, and the highest-quality coconut shell carbon to target and remove chlorine, chloramine, PFOA, PFOS, pesticides, herbicides, haloacetic acids, lead, harmful pathogens (with our U.V. system add-on) and many more waterborne contaminants. Our systems are easy to install and require low maintenance, plus you’ll get a six-month satisfaction guarantee, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping with your purchase.

We offer all kinds of other quality water filtering and softening solutions to meet your needs, so contact us today to learn more about our products and how best we can help you make a smooth transition from the dark days of bottled water to the bright beginnings of filtered tap water.

Final Thoughts

While bottled water is a much-loved beverage in America, its absurd costs and negative impact on human health and the environment should make it a no-no for you when compared to filtered tap water. Not only does filtered tap water save you a lot of money in the long run, but it helps you save the planet. You are also guaranteed a near lack of contaminants in the water you’re ingesting. As such, your health, your wallet, the earth will benefit from this life-changing decision.