Bottled water is a convenient source of water for a lot of people, especially for those on-the-go and need a quick way to replenish. However, there are many factors to consider why it should not be your go-to water source:  

Chemicals may leach in your water

This is one of the main concerns that people have when it comes to plastic bottles. When exposed to sunlight, plastic bottles tend to soften. A study done at Arizona State University showed how higher heat sped up the release of antimony, an ingredient used to manufacture plastic.

Microplastics have been found in Bottled Water

Global studies analyzed in a Worldwide Fund for Nature report revealed bottled water to be contaminated with microplastics – small particles of plastic measuring less than 5mm, formed when larger pieces of plastic break down. One such study was from the State University of New York in Fredonia where they tested 259 bottles from 11 globally-sourced brands and found that in some cases, the amount of microplastics was double than those in tap water.

It is important to note that the problem of microplastics is not just limited to the water we drink but is also found in other food sources such as salt, seafood and beer.

Bottled Water mostly come from Tap Water

Commercial bottled water has led many people to thinking that their water is sourced from springs and glacial sources.  While it might be the case for some, it is estimated that about 64% of bottled water come from municipal water sources, meaning tap water. This is often the case for the plastic bottles labelled as “purified” or “drinking water.”

There Are No Benefits to Drinking Bottled Water

Bottled water does play an important role in emergency situations when there is a need for safe drinking water and you are at risk for dehydration. For the average consumer, however, it displays no real benefit to being your go-to water source. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports in their four-year review of the safety of the water industry that there is no evidence that supports bottled water as the superior type of water for drinking.

Plastic Bottle Production is Resource Intensive

The costs of making plastic bottles are high as it is resource-intensive to produce, fill, and ship, taking up a lot of carbon footprint. Putting it into perspective, PET bottles, which are used for water and soda bottles make up 10.2% of global plastic production. PET is a petroleum product, which means it has a water footprint that comprises the water used in the processes of extracting, refining, and manufacturing of both oil and natural gas, the raw material of that which then becomes PET resin pellets.

In 2011, researchers from the Water Footprint Network analyzed the water footprint and saw that it takes 1.4 gallons of water to produce a single water or soda bottle. Producing these bottles are only half the problem when it comes down to the globe’s environmental concerns. 

Plastic Bottles are Polluting our Environment

With the growing concern of recycling as well, it is difficult to see whether plastic bottles are being recycled properly. It is estimated that there are two million tons of plastic bottles floating out of landfills in the United States alone, while in Canada it isn’t any better with only less than 10% of plastic waste being recycled—including plastic water bottles. The ones that aren’t being recycled and are left to biodegrade become more detrimental to the environment as these plastic materials tend to float around our oceans for over half a century.

Bottled Water is expensive

Much of the cost you’re paying for in bottled water is the bottle itself. Depending on the brand and where it is purchased, bottled water can cost from 240 up to 10,000 times more than tap water!

Given that bottled water isn’t the best source for drinking water, there are other better options.

You can drink water that is clean, safe, environmentally conscious, and right from your faucet with IVO water purifier. Learn more about IVO and stop drinking bottled water today.