Head to any grocery store and you’re guaranteed to find an aisle full of bottled water. Some people claim it tastes better than tap water, while others buy it for the convenience of staying hydrated on the go. Whatever the reason, the truth is bottled water may come from several sources — it can originate from a public water source or naturally from the earth. Fortunately, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict labeling rules for bottled water, but it's up to you to learn the differences among various terms and what they mean.

3 Types of Bottled Water

• Purified water is essentially tap water that has been purified through a distillation, deionization, or reverse-osmosis process. Purified water may also be referred to as demineralized water.
• Spring water is water that flows naturally from the earth and is collected directly from its natural source.
• Mineral water is spring water that contains dissolved minerals and other trace elements (at least 250 parts per million) that come directly from the source.

Bottle Versus Tap

In general, safety standards for bottled water and tap water are the same with a few exceptions. For example, because tap water may become contaminated with lead as it travels through pipes, the government limits the amount of lead in tap water to 15 parts per billion, whereas the limit is set below 5 parts per billion for bottled water. Another major difference is that tap water is often fluoridated, but most bottled waters do not contain fluoride or chlorine.

The Bottom Line

Water is essential no matter how you drink it. Most people can safely (and inexpensively!) drink water straight from the tap. If you want to improve the taste of tap water, you can purchase a water-filtration pitcher, which reduces the amount of fluoride and chlorine in the tap water. And if you’re looking for a convenient way to stay hydrated and protect the earth, give up the disposable plastic containers and treat yourself to a reusable water bottle made of polycarbonate or aluminum, which are both environmentally friendly.

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