Several studies have tested numerous brands of water bottles across multiple states. They found many contaminants in concentrations similar to what’s found in municipal tap water.

One such study discovered that microbes can grow inside water bottles. If you open the bottle, drink from it and close it again, you seed the water with the microbes from your saliva. These microbes are then able to proliferate rapidly unless the water is refrigerated. [4] In tap water, this does not happen because chloramines prevent the growth of bacteria.

A study by the environmental working group (EWG) showed that concentration of trihalomethanes, a common disinfection byproduct in tap water, can also be found in bottled water. [1] The concentration in bottled water was less, but only by about one-half. Do you really want to pay 1,000 times more for something that doesn’t reduce the contaminant by even one half?

Studies show that water bottles can contain synthetic plastic chemicals that are not found in tap water.

In the manufacturing of plastic, many synthetic industrial chemicals are used. Many of these chemicals can leach from the plastic into the water. One study found acetaldehyde, hexane, and toluene in bottled water.  [1] Another study found 4-nonylphenol, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan in bottled water [2]. A third study has found phthalate esters.  [3]

The degree to which these synthetic chemicals are found in water depends on how the water bottle is stored. The length of time, the storage temperature, as well as whether the bottle was exposed to sunlight are the most important factors. [3] Do you know how your water was stored before you bought it?

It would seem that even water battle companies agree that synthetic plastic compounds are a problem. Some water bottle companies are even planning on producing water in aluminum cans.

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In an emergency situation, drinking bottled water is okay. However plastic bottled water is simply too expensive and unreliable for everyday use.

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Note: Stored water bottles for emergency use should be replaced every six months

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If we invest more in public water supplies, we can increase the quality of our water for a fraction of the price of bottled water

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According to a recent study from LADWP, the additional cost to treat our water to reach the Public Health Goals (PHG) would increase your water bill by about 67%. [5] That is less that twice as much. Bottled water, on the other hand costs thousands of times more than tap water. Investing in our public water means safer water at lower cost, for everyone.