Tap water vs. bottled water: which is better?

While some prefer the taste of bottled water, others opt for less costly tap. Your best choice depends on safety, microbial concerns, contamination, cost and environmental friendliness. Weigh your options with this guide.

• Fortunately, Health Canada reports that municipally-distributed tap water and bottled water have similar quality standards.
• Both meet these health and safety standards and both are considered safe to drink. Unless bottled water is labelled mineral or spring water, it could actually be treated tap water from a municipal source.
• Health Canada reports that most plastic water bottles sold in Canada are free from Bisphenol A, a chemical that may cause health problems when consumed in large amounts, but some bottled water products may contain small amounts of this chemical.
• Tap water, on the other hand, has the potential to leach chemicals and metals from underground pipes, but Health Canada works with various agencies to ensure the safety of drinking water.

• Both tap and bottled water can potentially become contaminated with bacteria, but both are continuously tested for microbes.
• Because tap water is treated with chlorine, the risk for microbial contamination is low.
• Bottled water has a higher risk of microbial contamination if you reuse the bottles rather than tossing them after each use.
• Fortunately, British Columbia Medical Journal reports that there are no known waterborne disease outbreaks that have occurred from drinking bottled water sold in Canada.

• If you're concerned about avoiding unnecessary waste and keeping the environment clean, tap water is a good choice.
• British Columbia Medical Journal reports that making and transporting plastic bottles used for bottled water emit greenhouse and other hazardous gases — and plastic bottles are non-biodegradable. However, plastic water bottles can be recycled.

• Though benefits and drawbacks exist when choosing tap or bottled water, a third choice -- buying a home water filter — is a safe and cost-effective alternative.
• The Environmental Working Group recommends filtering your own tap water to save money, reduce unnecessary waste from plastic bottles, and get water that is purer than tap water.
• Filtering tap water at home can eliminate unpleasant tastes from chlorine or certain metals in tap water.
• Though there is a cost associated with buying your own water filter, it is often cheaper than paying for one-use water bottles.