Tap or Bottle: Which Water Should You Drink?
Doctors often advise to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day, and it is a wise advice: dehydration can be a serious health issue. Advertising pushes us to buy bottled water, insisting that tap water is not safe. It it worth spending money on those bottles?

Is tap water dangerous?
In developed countries, such as the US, the EU, etc., the quality of tap water is controlled by a state authority; controls are frequent, standards strict, and compliance high. In the UK, for example, 2014 controls showed 99.96% compliance (more info here). Further, tap water is often fortified with fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay. Besides, it is fresh: it takes water no more than a couple of days to go from the plant to your faucet. There are caveats, though. A study in the US in 2016 showed the presence of toxic chemicals called PFAS in samples from 33 states. Another study found 1,4-dioxane – a probable carcinogen – in 45 states. These chemical probably leach from the surrounding land under industries and cultivation. And while lead pipes in most places have been replaced with plastic ones, for many people tap water is still a source of 20% of their lead intake.Is bottled water better?

What should you choose?
To make sure your tap water is safe, check the regular water quality report published by your municipality. If no dangerous chemicals were found, go for tap water, but try to drink grom a glass or from a stainless-steel bottle (if you reuse a plastic bottle, don’t leave it in the sun in or a car).If tap water is not safe where you live, read the label on bottled water carefully to ensure it comes from a spring and contains both magnesium and calcium. Remember, though: while it may taste better than tap water, you are not doing the planet any favors buying it.