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Bottled Water vs. Filtered Water: What’s the Best Choice?

filtered water faucetEvery cell in your body needs water to operate properly. That’s why drinking enough water every day is so important. Without enough water, you can develop a headache and feel drained of energy. Long-term dehydration can have a severe impact on your health. The type of water you drink is just as important as how much you drink. Contaminates—like lead or hexavalent chromium—hiding in your drinking water can cause long-term harm. When you are concerned about water safety, there are two options that you can choose from either bottled water or filtered water.

Bottled water and filtered water aren’t equal competitors. When it comes to safety and cost, there is a clear winner.

Which is Safer? Bottled Water or Filtered Water

Filtered water from your home is safer than most bottled water.

Even though bottled water is marketed as the cleanest option, in most cases, this isn’t true. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in the United States conducted a four-year study of bottled water. They tested more than 1,000 bottles of water from over 100 brands. Their study concluded that most bottled water is not safer or cleaner than tap water.

Up to 40% of brands bottle tap water that hasn’t undergone any extra filtration. In one-third of the water sampled, the NRDC study found contaminants such as bacteria, arsenic and other organic and synthetic chemicals.

You can rest assured that all the water you drink is free of contaminants if you have a whole home water filtration system or a point-of-use filter for your drinking water (like a filtered water pitcher). Home water filters are designed to effectively purify water of unpleasant tastes and smells along with harmful contaminants. These filters can remove even tiny particles of dangerous pesticides and herbicides that have found their way into your water along with bacteria and heavy metals.

Which is More Affordable? Bottled Water or Filtered Water

Filtered water is less expensive annually than bottled water.

Installing a water filter may seem like a huge cost but it quickly pays off. In contrast, buying bottled water may seem like a small expense but it adds up over time. A family of five that relies on bottled water will spend up to $3,500 on it a year! You can invest less than $3,000 in a whole home water filtration system that will last for up to 10 years! Using a water filter pitcher (replacing the filters at least once every 2 months) only cost between $120 and $180 per year.

Bottled Water EnvironmentBottled water also has a high environmental cost. It takes more 1.5 million barrels of oil to meet the United States’ demand for bottled water. That’s enough oil to power 100,000 homes for a year. Only 1 out of 5 of those bottles will end up in a recycling bin. Most will end up in landfills or in our oceans where they won’t biodegrade. Far less oil is needed to produce enough water filters for the United States. Since water filters aren’t single use, like water bottles, far less need to be manufactured and far less will be sent to landfills.

A home water filtration system is by far the best choice for reliable, safe, great tasting water. It’s also better for your wallet and the environment.

If you want to learn more about installing a water filtration system, give us a call at Tri-Florida Water Treatment, Inc.! Our family-owned and operated business have been providing Polk County Florida residents with safe water solutions since 1984.