Bottled Water vs. Filtered Tap Water | Which is Better?

Bottled Water vs. Filtered Tap Water: A Comparison

Key Takeaways

• Both bottled and tap water are regulated for safety but by different organizations.

• Bottled water generates significantly more plastic waste annually compared to home water treatment systems.

• A point-of-use water filter is far less expensive than continuously purchasing bottled water.

• Water treatment systems require minimal maintenance, whereas bottled water must be bought frequently.

• Both bottled and filtered tap water can cater to taste preferences.

• Bottled water contains microplastics, but their health impact remains uncertain. Reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, or distillation can remove microplastics from drinking water.

Comparing Bottled Water and Filtered Tap Water

Many homeowners and renters rely on bottled water, often unaware of the cost savings and convenience of home water treatment systems. We evaluate bottled water versus filtered tap water based on six factors: water quality, environmental impact, cost, convenience, taste, and potential health effects.

Water Quality

Bottled water and tap water are both regulated for safety but by different organizations. The FDA oversees bottled water, while the EPA regulates municipal tap water. Many bottled water brands use reverse osmosis and remineralization to enhance taste, but some use alternative methods such as distillation, deionization, or ozonation.

Tap water, while safe to drink under EPA regulations, may contain trace contaminants like lead, arsenic, PFAS, microplastics, and VOCs. Home treatment options such as activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and ultrafiltration can significantly improve water purity.

Environmental Impact

Bottled water contributes heavily to plastic waste. The Container Recycling Institute reports that over 60 million plastic water bottles are discarded daily in the U.S., amounting to 22 billion bottles annually. In contrast, home water treatment systems produce much less plastic waste per volume of treated water, requiring only occasional filter replacements.

Additionally, microplastics resulting from plastic degradation are a widespread environmental concern, found in remote locations like Antarctic snow. While their health effects remain unclear, reducing bottled water consumption minimizes plastic waste and microplastic pollution.

Cost Analysis

Bottled water is significantly more expensive than tap water, even with filtration costs considered.

• Bottled Water: Costs an average of $1.23 per gallon, adding up to about $450 annually per person drinking 64 ounces daily.

• Municipal Tap Water: Costs approximately $1.50 per 1,000 gallons, making the cost of drinking water negligible.

• Home Water Treatment:

  • Refrigerator/Pitcher Filters: Replacement filters cost $30–$60 every six months, totaling $120–$160 per year.

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: An average under-sink RO system costs $200–$500 upfront, with filter replacements averaging $75 per year. Over ten years, total costs—including installation—amount to around $1,400, significantly lower than bottled water over the same period ($4,500 for a household of two).

Convenience

While bottled water is portable and pre-treated, it requires frequent purchases and storage. Home water treatment systems provide clean drinking water on demand, with maintenance required only a couple of times per year.

Taste Preferences

Bottled water brands differ in taste due to varying mineral content. However, home water filters allow users to customize taste, whether through alkaline filters for higher mineral content or carbon filters to remove unpleasant flavors.

Health Considerations

A key concern with bottled water is microplastic contamination. A study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that an average liter of bottled water contains around 240,000 microplastic or nanoplastic particles. These contaminants originate from bottle materials and treatment processes.

To eliminate microplastics, home water filtration options include reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and distillation, which are more effective than simple refrigerator or pitcher filters.

Conclusion

Filtered tap water is the superior choice for most households due to its lower cost, reduced environmental impact, and convenience. Home water treatment systems provide clean, safe water while minimizing plastic waste and potential exposure to microplastics. By switching to a filtration system, homeowners can achieve significant financial savings while contributing to environmental sustainability.