Some products simply comprise tap water that’s been bottled while others use fresh spring water or another source.

In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate public tap water. Fluoride can occur naturally and there are maximum levels allowed in mains water, though in some regions fluoride is added to municipal water supplies. Artificial fluoridation of mains water has long been a controversial issue with both advocates and critics.

What are some of the common things in tap water—other than water? 

In summary, the tap water in the UK is classed as one of the safest and purest water supplies in the world. It is required by law to be fit for human consumption and UK water companies must test mains water for a reassuringly long list of micro-organisms and chemicals. New compounds are occasionally discovered that have slipped through the net, such as when Brunel University found a chemical used in dishwasher detergents in UK tap water in 2011 but these instances are very rare and pale in significance when compared to the very real and damaging impact of bottled water on the environment. New rules for currently unregulated contaminants will take time. PFAS, for instance, have been a known hazard for years, but it required large amounts of evidence and research before a rule could be proposed. However, due to environmental concerns and potential health effects, many people are starting to wonder whether tap water is better. To minimize the ecological footprint of bottled water, some municipalities around the world have banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.

The levels of both beneficial and un-beneficial substances in your water will depend on where you live. Also, different filters have different functions - no single water filter can get rid of every type of contaminant. It's also worth noting that water filters can remove minerals that are good for you, like calcium, magnesium, and fluoride which support healthy bones and teeth 2. There is a significant challenge,” Eric Burneson, a director at the EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, says of proposing new regulations. “We need robust scientific information, and we need peer review of that information. We need to know about our ability to manage it. Can we measure it? Can we treat it?” We drink it every day, and sometimes we swim in it. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, but growing concerns over sewage pollution have shone a spotlight on UK water. From impurities in drinking water to pollutants in our rivers and seas, we find out how the UK cleans up.

This is particularly problematic, as plastic bottles have been shown to release toxins as they degrade ( 20, 21, 22). Water butts are not the only way you can collect the rain. You can get an estimate of how much mains water could be savedin a typical garden by following this link and pledging to make the switch from mains to rains. The health risks are still unclear, though microplastics are known to contain and absorb toxic chemicals. Research has also indicated that conditions inside the digestive systems of wild animals could potentially be facilitating the release of those toxins. More research is currently needed to determine the exact effect on human health. Hopefully Not In Your Water Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. Registered in England and Wales. All rights reserved. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

Fluoride is medically proven to reduce tooth decay in children and since tooth decay is statistically one of the most widespread chronic diseases in cities, fluoridation schemes have been in place to add it to mains water for around 60 years. As of 2015, around 5.8 million people in England are supplied with artificially fluoridated water. In general, tap water tastes the same as bottled water. Still, factors like mineral content or the type and age of your water pipes may affect the flavor. Environmental impact is much lower than bottled Additionally, old plumbing may introduce contaminants like lead, and natural disasters like floods can temporarily pollute public water systems ( 7).

How is tap water regulated? 

In the U.S., about 90 percent of people get their tap water from a public water system (PWS). Water from a lake, reservoir, river or aquifer is piped into a water treatment facility where chemicals are added to the waterthat bind to pollutants and are sifted out of the system. Some facilities also use bacteria-killing UV light. From treating and bottling to transportation and refrigeration, bottled water requires large amounts of energy.