Choosing between tap and bottled water is ultimately a personal decision. However, you may not want to necessarily base your decision only on taste. Many perceive bottled water as more healthy, natural, and safe in comparison to Canada’s tap water, but is it truly?

Today, there are many different types of bottled water being sold to consumers in sealed containers around the world. In most cases, bottled water is represented as “spring” or “mineral” water. In fact, this water could very well possibly be from various sources that may have been treated...just like tap water... to make it fit for human consumption.

All around the world today, bottled water marketing conveys images of purity, and a healthy alternative. Recently, bottled water in Canada has exploded tremendously as a result of this public perception of purity driven by advertisements and packaging labels. However. One thing the ads can’t or won’t convey is the fact that bottled water is still plagued by inadequate regulations, and offers no assurance as to being a healthier alternative to good old tap water. It is true that a preference for bottled water over Canada’s municipal tap water is a matter for personal taste. Research shows that many consumers are concerned about the quality (chemical pollutants) of drinking water in Canada. Some even feel that bottled water is safer than municipal water; however, the sad reality is that there is no evidence to support either claim.

In most bottled water, bacteria is found, but in most cases this bacteria is disinfected in prevention from any harm. Today, Health Canada is looking into new and stricter regulations and guidelines to prevent bacterial and chemical contamination in bottled water. For example, the Department is considering introducing additional sampling plans and microbial limits for bottled water at the source and at various stages in the bottling process.

While municipal water distribution systems often rely on several kilometers of piping, bottled waters are packaged in clean, sealed containers in a sanitary environment. One major difference between bottled water and tap water is the source of the water. Municipalities generally draw their water supply from surface water (lakes, rivers, etc.), which may be subject to contamination. However, the majority of bottled waters in Canada originate from protected underground sources...or so they claim to be.

In fact, there are some that question whether bottled water is actually being manufactured from tap water. The answer is yes, except for those bottled waters, that claim on their labels to be “spring” or “mineral”. These bottled waters are from portable underground sources, and cannot come from the community’s water supply. However, it is possible that some bottled water, such as dematerialized water or distilled water is simply tap water that has just undergone a process to lower the mineral content and to remove any type of bacterial chemicals.

As many can probably already observe, Bottled water plays a vital role in the diet of many Canadians. It is used as a replacement for soft drinks and alcohol, and is perceived by consumers as a purer or better tasting alternative than tap water. The bottled water available in Canada is generally of good quality. However, consumers should be aware that bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water. Both bottled water and municipal water may contain the same types of bacteria since both can, and possibly do, originate from the same sources. Therefore, the risk of contamination of bottled water is the same as those for municipal water.

Above all of this, we all can relate all of this to the importance of water. Without it we wouldn’t be able to live. Nevertheless, many seem to be forgetting, there is only a limited source of water in this world, and it’s evident that many need to take into account its value and purpose in our lives.