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Not all water will provide you with the same health benefits, however. There are impurities and additives to consider. Here, we help you decide which type to drink, and address questions such as these: Do you really need to buy bottled, or is tap water safe? How do bottled waters differ? Can a purifier provide the same quality as bottled, or should you save your money?

To find out the answers, read on.

Pure Water?

The federal government regulates water quality via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); however, experts disagree about whether tap water is actually safe from the contaminants and pollution that local water utilities are supposed to remove.

The EPA contends that tap water is safe and provides Local Drinking Water Information for most counties in the country. But a recent survey of the drinking water of 19 major cities, performed by the National Resources Defense Council, challenges the EPA's position. According to the survey, tap water often contains contaminants such as sewage and pesticides that have washed into streams.

Many people, whether to play it safe or because their tap water doesn't taste or smell good, prefer to use a purifier at home or drink bottled H2O. Talk to your dentist if you pursue the latter option. Bottled water may not contain fluoride, which can help keep teeth healthy. She or he may suggest that you receive extra fluoride treatments.

Hitting the Bottle

Just because water comes in a bottle doesn't guarantee that it's safer than tap. Stick to brands sold by members of the International Bottled Water Association, the industry trade organization.

Once you've done that, consider your preferences--and the source:

• Spring water comes from an underground formation through which H2O flows naturally to the earth's surface.
• Mineral water, which originates from an underground source, naturally contains good minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, silica, and bicarbonates.
• Artesian well water is typically found deeper in the earth than spring water and, therefore, may be more pure and contain less contamination.
• Sparkling water flows from an underground source; carbonation is added to it later on. (May also be called carbonated water.)
• Purified water has been processed to remove chlorine and other compounds. If the water's source is not listed, it is probably purified municipal drinking water, as is the case with bottled brands Aquafina and Dasani.
• Distilled water is municipal H2O that has been boiled to remove many, though not all, contaminants.
• Seltzer is considered a soft drink, not bottled water, and may contain artificial sweeteners and flavors--and, therefore, calories. (May also be called soda water or club soda.)
• Flavored water also contains calories--sometimes as many as soda. But this product can be useful in helping you make the transition from flavored beverages to plain water. (To give plain water some flavor without the calories, add a twist of lemon or orange.)
• Nutrient-enhanced water can contain 125 calories per bottle, yet there's no good evidence that the ingredients work, according to the Nutrition Action Health Letter, published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Do You Need a Purifier?

Many people use purifiers to remove contaminants and make water taste and smell better. Purifiers are also economical, cutting bottled-water expenditures by 50 percent or more--even when you factor in the $300 (for parts and labor) it often costs to have the system installed, according to Consumer Reports. But don't forget to change the filter on schedule; bacterial contamination can be more dangerous than toxins.

Here are your options:

• Filtration pitchers are easy to use and maintain. They don't require that you wield your wrench, but they gobble refrigerator space.
• Faucet-mounted purifiers are easy to install and less cumbersome than pitchers. Under-the-sink filters typically require professional installation. The cartridges last longer than those in pitchers and faucets, but changing them can be tricky. Reverse-osmosis technology is superior for treating severe flavor and pollution problems; however, the machines filter slowly and hog space.
• Whole-house systems--gallon per gallon, the most cost-effective--treat water as it enters your home, allowing you to drink, cook, shower, and do laundry with purified H2O. They can also prolong the life of appliances in areas where drinking water contains a lot of sediment.

Go to the Water Links section of the Nutrition Action Health Letter site for more information.

What kind of water do you prefer and why? Tell us in the comments section below.

Hilary Beard is a Philadelphia-based writer

Published on: 01/24/2005

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