Study Shows Nearly 64% of Bottled Water in America is Just
Bottled water has become a booming industry in the United States, largely due to the belief that it is cleaner and healthier than tap water.
However, research shows that much of this perception is misleading.
About 64% of bottled water in the U.S. originates from municipal sources—the same tap water that supplies homes.
While some companies further purify this water, others make minimal changes before selling it at a high markup.
Some bottled water brands have faced scrutiny for contamination. Products like Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Food’s Acadia have been found to contain pollutants that exceed safety limits.
This undermines consumer trust, especially for those who purchase bottled water expecting higher purity.
In contrast, companies like Nestlé Pure Life and Gerber Pure have earned praise for clearly disclosing their sources and purification methods, such as reverse osmosis and distillation.
Ironically, tap water is often held to stricter standards than bottled water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces rigorous testing and public reporting for municipal water systems.
Bottled water, on the other hand, is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which requires less frequent testing and has looser safety protocols. This means that tap water may actually be safer and more consistently monitored.
Further studies have revealed disturbing elements in bottled water, including arsenic, bacteria, and microplastics. These contaminants may come from the bottling process or the plastic packaging itself. Scientists are increasingly concerned about the health risks associated with microplastic ingestion, especially since their long-term effects are still unknown.
