Is it better to drink tap water or bottled water?

Not sure whether to drink tap or bottled water? Can't decide between mineral and spring water? If you want to take care of your health by paying attention to the water you drink every day, it's essential to know the impact of each method on your health, but also on the environment; to do so, we've answered some of your questions!

While tap water is often seen as an economical and convenient option, bottled water offers a practical and portable alternative. However, when it comes to health and well-being, both can leave a lot to be desired... We therefore invite you to take into consideration all the information we are about to pass on to you in order to make your choice and ensure healthier consumption.

Bottled water: spring water or mineral water?

When it comes to choosing between tap water and bottled water, it's important to know the internal difference between spring water and mineral water, as it's important to understand their respective impact on health and taste.

The origin

• Spring water comes from a natural source, such as groundwater, and is generally protected from external contamination;
• Mineral water, on the other hand, is drawn from underground springs rich in natural minerals that give it its distinctive characteristics in terms of chemical composition.

The composition

• Spring water is considered to have a more neutral composition, with mineral levels generally lower than those of mineral water; 
• Mineral water contains higher quantities of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which may confer health benefits.

Taste

Because of their different chemical composition, spring water and mineral water can have distinct flavors. Some people prefer the lighter, more neutral taste of spring water, while others appreciate the mineral richness and distinctive flavor of mineral water.

How to use

• Spring water is used as an alternative to tap water for daily consumption, cooking and food preparation;
• Mineral water is often consumed for its potential health benefits, particularly as an additional source of essential minerals.

Note: "Not all water is drinking water, as it may contain large quantities of minerals" such as sodium, fluoride, sulfate and chloride; warns Yvan Altchenko, a teacher-researcher at AgroParisTech on the Montpellier campus. What's more, he recommends that you don't always drink the same ones!

Is bottled water polluted?

Bottled water can be contaminated by pollutants from a variety of sources throughout its production, bottling, transport and storage processes. Moreover, recently, manufacturers have resorted to filtration systems and disinfectant treatments forbidden on normally healthy natural waters.

However, La Direction Générale de la Santé assures us that these deposits remain, "by their very nature", "little exposed to risks of deterioration in their quality". 

Namely: a study conducted by the Ministry in 2013, but whose report was published in 2019, had shown that 25% of the samples analyzed contained at least a trace of chemical compounds, including pesticide and bisphenol A residues, at concentrations well below the limit values.

Here are the risks associated with drinking bottled water as opposed to tap water:

• Microplastics: studies have revealed the presence of microplastics in some bottled waters, which can be attributed to plastic contamination of the environment, the bottling process or the packaging itself. Although the effects are still poorly understood, there is growing concern;
• Chemical substances: certain chemical contaminants such as phthalates, bisphenols and volatile organic compounds can also be found in bottled water as a result of plastic packaging materials or manufacturing processes. These substances can present health risks at high and prolonged concentrations;
• Bacteria and viruses: although bottled water is generally treated to eliminate microbiological contaminants, there is always a risk of bacterial or viral contamination if manufacturing and storage procedures are inadequate;
• Environmental impact: in addition to the potential pollution of bottled water itself, the production, transport and disposal of plastic bottles have a significant impact on the environment, contributing to pollution, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

We encourage you to prefer more sustainable alternatives such as using a home water filtration system or filling reusable bottles from safe drinking water sources.

Is it inadvisable to drink tap water?

Tap water is a product that is regularly monitored by health authorities and regulatory bodies in many countries around the world. These controls are designed to ensure that tap water meets the drinking water quality standards set by the relevant authorities, thereby ensuring its safety for human consumption. 

This monitoring is carried out every day in major cities, and less frequently in rural areas. When analyses are carried out, no less than 70 parameters (bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, PFAS, etc.), each of which must not exceed quality limits.

Through these regular checks and constant monitoring of tap water quality, the health authorities aim to protect public health by providing asafe, reliable and accessible source ofdrinking water for all. 

Whether you want to drink tap water or bottled water, each of these methods is controlled by competent bodies and authorities. What's more, new potability control standards are being introduced to ensure that drinking water is of the highest quality, without fail!