Tap Water vs Bottled Water
Bottled water is one of the most environmentally wasteful consumer products. It costs 300 to 2,000 times more than tap water, generates massive amounts of plastic waste, and requires significant energy for manufacturing, filling, and transportation. In most developed countries, tap water is rigorously tested and equally safe to drink.
The bottled water industry produces over 480 billion plastic bottles annually. Each 500ml bottle requires approximately 3 liters of water to produce (including the water inside) and generates about 82.8 grams of CO2 from manufacturing and transport. Only about 30% of water bottles are recycled globally.
Cost Comparison
Environmental Comparison
| Factor | Tap Water | Bottled Water |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per liter | $0.002 - $0.005 | $1.00 - $3.00 |
| CO2 per liter | 0.3 g | 160 - 200 g |
| Plastic waste | None | 25 g per 500ml bottle |
| Water used to produce | ~1.01 L per L | ~3 L per L |
| Quality testing | Continuous (EPA) | Periodic (FDA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tap water safe to drink?
In the United States, tap water is regulated by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act and is tested hundreds of times per month. It is generally as safe or safer than bottled water. If you have concerns about your local water quality, a home water filter (Brita, reverse osmosis, etc.) provides an excellent balance of safety, cost savings, and environmental benefits.
How much money does switching to tap water save?
A person drinking 2 liters per day from 500ml bottles at $1.50 each spends about $2,190 per year. The same amount of tap water costs roughly $2.55 per year. That is a savings of over $2,187 per person annually, enough to purchase a high-quality water filter and reusable bottle with money to spare.
What about the taste difference?
Taste differences between tap and bottled water vary by location. A carbon filter (like a Brita pitcher) effectively removes chlorine taste and odor from tap water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. In blind taste tests, most people cannot consistently distinguish between filtered tap water and premium bottled water.