Feb 24 , 2017
Purified Water vs. Spring Water
By now, most Americans are relatively aware of the fact that plain tap water isnt exactly great for them. This isnt just the case in communities like Flint, Michigan that have experienced a serious catastrophe when it comes to local water conditions. Even in cities where the water is considered clean and 100% safe to drink, tap water can and often does contain toxic substances like arsenic, mercury, fluoride, and more.
That said, its not surprising that more people than ever are making the switch to bottled water instead. The most popular choices are spring water and purified water, but is one of those a better choice than the other? Most important of all, are there other solutions to consider that might be better than either of those? Lets take a closer look at the answers to those questions and more.
What Is Purified Water?
Before a given bottled water can be marketed and sold as purified water, overall impurity levels need to be reduced to 10 parts per million or less. Contrary to popular belief, purified water is not the same thing as filtered water. All water is subjected to some form of filtration before distribution, plain tap water included. Purified water, on the other hand, is also treated to remove additional substances like pathogens and chemicals.
That said, you can rest easy in the knowledge that any commercial purified water meets significantly stricter EPA purity standards than those applied to standard drinking water, tap water included. However, consumers should be aware that because of these strict standards, purified water may come from almost any source, up to and including springs or existing tap water systems.
What Is Spring Water?
Spring water is commonly referred to by several different names, including well water, ground water, and artesian water. It is formally defined by the EPA as water that originates from an underground aquifer. Other variables attached to your standard bottle of spring water may vary. Spring water may or may not be accessed via a well. It also may or may not undergo additional treatment before distribution. However, spring water is always collected at the point where it flows or otherwise arrives at the surface of the structure in which it resides.
Those who prefer spring water consider the natural filtration process to be preferable to the alternatives. Spring water is also often richer in beneficial natural minerals than other types of water. Even so, its important to realize that while spring water is required to meet basic EPA purity standards, there are fewer guarantees in place as to the quality of the water itself.
What Type of Water Should You Be Drinking?
Both purified water and bottled spring water are considered safe to drink according to the EPA. Both are probably going to be several cuts above water youd get straight from the tap. That said, which is the best option between the two is mostly a matter of personal preference, availability, and convenience.
Those who prefer spring water often do so because they like that it contains natural minerals. Not only does that make the water more healthful than it otherwise might be, but many think minerals improve flavor as well. On the other hand, those who prefer purified water really like the strict standards imposed on the quality of what theyre drinking. Purified water is often also cheaper and more readily available than spring water.
Even so, theres an option that trumps any kind of bottled water, including spring and purified home-filtered water. What bottled water companies dont want you to know is that the bottles themselves contain hazardous chemicals that can leach their way into the water they contain. Such chemicals have been linked to serious health conditions like cancer, hormonal imbalance, and more.
By investing in a reverse osmosis filter or another high-performance water filter for your home, you can enjoy continuous access to water thats every bit as clean, delicious, and good for you as even the purest bottled alternative. However, youll get to do so without worrying about exposure to additional chemicals associated with plastic commercial bottles. Since the filters are installed right there at the point of access, theyre super convenient, as well. Plus, filtered water is a lot easier on your pocketbook, over the long haul. Explore the possibilities today!
