If you’re paying premium prices for bottled water, there’s a pretty good chance you’re basically just drinking tap water. And I mean, that’s not just a conspiracy theory or anything. According to research from the Environmental Working Group, nearly 64% of bottled water sold in America comes straight from municipal water systems. So yeah, you’re probably paying a premium for something you could’ve gotten from your kitchen sink.
Most popular brands use tap water sources
Honestly, when you start looking at which brands actually use tap water, it’s kind of shocking. Dasani sources its water from municipal systems in California, Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. Lifewtr does the same thing. Nestle Pure Life gets its water from both wells and municipal sources, so it’s a mixed bag there. But here’s the thing—Kirkland bottled water, which is produced by Niagara Bottling LLC, also uses tap water along with some well and spring sources. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Propel and Essentia are sourced from tap water too, though they do add electrolytes to make them taste better and provide what they call “enhanced hydration.” I mean, at least they’re doing something to it, right?
The contamination problem nobody talks about
The EWG tested 10 popular bottled water brands, and the results were pretty alarming. On average, each brand had 8 different contaminants. We’re talking caffeine, acetaminophen, fertilizers, solvents, and plastic-derived chemicals. Two brands really stood out for all the wrong reasons: Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Food’s Acadia. Sam’s Choice actually had contaminant levels that exceeded California’s bottled water quality standards in some cases. That’s not great.
And then there’s the microplastics issue. A study by Orb Media found that 93% of bottled water samples worldwide contained microplastic particles. These particles can come from the packaging itself, which means you’re potentially drinking tiny bits of plastic every time you take a sip. Does anyone actually want that?
Why tap water is actually regulated more strictly
Here’s something that surprised me when I first learned about it. Tap water is actually more strictly regulated than bottled water. The EPA regulates municipal tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which means it’s subject to pretty rigorous testing and monitoring. But bottled water? That’s regulated by the FDA, and it’s not required to be any safer than tap water. Basically, the water coming out of your faucet might actually be cleaner than what you’re buying at the store.
But the lack of transparency makes it super hard to know what you’re getting. Bottled water companies aren’t required to disclose their water sources, treatment methods, or contaminant testing results. So you’re kind of flying blind when you buy a bottle.
What companies do to make their water seem special
A lot of companies simply repackage tap water and call it a day. But others take additional steps to make their products stand out. Many use water filtration systems and purification technologies to clean their water before bottling it. Some add minerals to improve the taste, while others create flavored variants or add electrolytes for athletes who need extra hydration. After trying these products myself, I’ve noticed that the added minerals do make a difference in taste, even if the source is still just tap water.
Sam’s Choice and Acadia had the worst contamination
When the EWG did their testing, Sam’s Choice and Acadia really stood out as problem brands. Sam’s Choice is Walmart’s brand, and it had some of the highest contamination levels in the study. In some cases, the contaminants exceeded California’s quality standards for bottled water. Acadia, which is sold at Giant Food stores, also had elevated contamination levels. These aren’t small, obscure brands either—these are waters that millions of people buy every week at major retailers across the country.
I mean, when you’re buying water at a discount retailer, you’re probably not expecting premium quality. But you’d at least hope it’d be safe to drink without worrying about excess contaminants. The thing is, both of these brands are sourced from municipal tap water anyway, so the contamination likely comes from either the source water or the bottling process itself.
Only three brands earned top marks for transparency
The EWG evaluated bottled water brands based on three criteria: whether they disclosed the water source location, whether they explained their purification methods, and whether they publicly released water quality test results. Most brands totally failed at this. Only three earned top marks in 2011: Gerber Pure Purified Water, Nestle Pure Life Purified Water, and Penta Ultra-Purified Water. That’s it. Just three out of all the major brands.
And honestly, transparency shouldn’t be that hard. If your water is clean and safe, why not just tell people where it comes from and how it’s treated? The fact that so many companies won’t share this information is kind of a red flag.
What you should look for when buying bottled water
If you’re going to buy bottled water—and look, sometimes you’ve got to when you’re traveling or in a pinch—at least know what to look for. The EWG recommends choosing brands that disclose their water sources and treatment methods on the label. They should also provide easily accessible water quality reports that show what contaminants, if any, were found in testing. The last time I was shopping for water, I actually took the time to read the labels, and you’d be surprised how many brands don’t provide any of this information.
You’ll also want to look for brands that test for unregulated chemicals that can leach from plastic bottles. BPA-free bottles are better, but even those can have other chemicals that migrate into the water over time. Some companies now use recycled plastic bottles or aluminum bottles, which can help reduce contamination.
Filtered tap water is your best bet
But here’s the thing—the best option isn’t bottled water at all. It’s filtered tap water in a reusable bottle. High-quality water filters can remove impurities and contaminants from your tap water, making it totally safe to drink. And it’s way more economical than buying bottled water constantly. I’ve noticed that once I switched to using a filter at home, I stopped buying bottled water almost entirely. It just makes more sense.
Plus, using a reusable bottle is so much better for the environment. Single-use plastic bottles are a huge source of waste, and most of them don’t even get recycled properly. By filling up a reusable bottle with filtered tap water, you’re saving money and reducing your environmental impact at the same time. Not a bad deal.
The truth about what you’re really paying for
At the end of the day, when you buy bottled water, you’re mostly paying for convenience and marketing. The water itself often isn’t any better than what comes out of your tap—and in many cases, it literally is what comes out of the tap, just repackaged. Companies spend millions on advertising to make you think their water is purer, fresher, or healthier. But the research shows that’s basically not true for most brands.
Every time I’ve bought bottled water knowing it’s just tap water, I’ve felt a little silly about it. Why am I paying $2 for something I could get for basically free at home? The convenience factor is real when you’re out and about, but for everyday use, it really doesn’t make sense. After trying dozens of different brands over the years, I can tell you that most of them taste pretty similar anyway. Some have a slightly mineral taste, others are more neutral, but they’re all just water in the end.
