Taste Test - Tap Water Versus Bottled Water (2024)

Many people claim they drink bottled water because it tastes better than drinking from the tap at home. They even claim bottled water is safer to consume. Is this TRULY the case or simply a “follow the herd” thought?

Let’s look at SAFETY first…

In the United States, bottled water is governed by the Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA.

  • bottled water companies are NOT required to disclose the source of water, treatment procedures or any contamination tests done
  • not many regulations on what can be present in the water
  • bottled water plants only inspected once every FEW years
  • plastic bottles they come in must NOT be left in the sun or extreme heat and shouldn’t be consumed past expiration date

Tap water is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.

  • far more strict with regulations
  • have very specific limits for what contaminants can remain in tap water
  • tested EVERY YEAR

***Keep in mind, there are even brands of bottled water that are actually just filtered tap water – like Aquafina and Dasani.

Now let’s take a look at TASTE

The best way to conclude something so heavily swayed by opinion is to conduct a blind taste test. This means that people in the test have NO idea what they are drinking and must pick what they think tastes the best. In all of the professional blind tests conducted so far, there is a clear winner…

People Choose The Taste of TAP WATER!

Yep – it’s true. In a blind taste test conducted by Good Morning America, 45% of the participants chose tap water from New York City over things like Evian, Poland Spring and O2 Aqua. In a test conducted by Boston University, only 1/3 of participants could actually tell the difference between tap water and bottled water. 1/3 actually thought the tap water was bottled water and the rest couldn’t tell a difference at all.

The reality is that bottled water and tap water don’t taste much different from one another so, yes, it is a MYTH that bottled water tastes better.

You may not agree – you may feel that your tap water is disgusting and tastes like metal or chlorine. If this is the case, it’s because your tap water needs to be filtered. You can either chill all water in the fridge or simply use a water purifier. You can even install an under-sink home filtration system, like the PEL75, that makes sure all water coming from that tap is purified. If you’re worried about all of the water coming into your home, you can invest in a whole-home filtration system so water you use in different rooms for a wide variety of tasks is fresh and clean.

In the end, most folks can’t tell a difference in taste or end up choosing filtered tap water over bottled water.

Contact our specialists todayat 312.889.8888 to find out more about our line of ProEcoLife Water Filter Products!

Taste Test - Tap Water Versus Bottled Water (2024)

FAQs

Taste Test - Tap Water Versus Bottled Water? ›

Activity 4: Blind tasting of water

Can you taste test tap water vs bottled water? ›

Tastes just as good as bottled water

Yet, in blind taste tests, most people can't tell the difference between tap and bottled water ( 9 , 10 ). In general, tap water tastes the same as bottled water. Still, factors like mineral content or the type and age of your water pipes may affect the flavor.

What tastes better, tap water or bottled water? ›

The reality is that bottled water and tap water don't taste much different from one another so, yes, it is a MYTH that bottled water tastes better. You may not agree – you may feel that your tap water is disgusting and tastes like metal or chlorine. If this is the case, it's because your tap water needs to be filtered.

Is it healthier to drink tap water or bottled water? ›

It is convenient, free or inexpensive, and has much less of an environmental impact than bottled water. Tap water is also just as safe as bottled water, and most people will not be able to tell the difference in taste. Occasionally, bottled water may be more convenient or readily available than tap water.

What is the healthiest water to drink? ›

Without a doubt, spring water is the winner. It is considered the best water to drink, providing vital nutrients as it moves through the body. This is, of course, spring water that is bottled at the source and proven to be actual living spring water.

Which brands of bottled water are actually tap water? ›

Propel and Essentia are also sourced from tap water, but they have added electrolytes that improve their taste and allow them to provide enhanced hydration.

Is it safe to drink bottled water every day? ›

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety of bottled water and bases its standards on the EPA standards for tap water. If these standards are met, water is considered safe for most healthy individuals.

What water filter makes water taste better? ›

– You can improve tap water taste by installing a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to your kitchen faucets or refrigerator ice dispenser line. – RO filters are also very affordable for rent.

How do I make my tap water taste better? ›

6 Ways to Make Tap Water Taste Better
  1. Use a water filter. Using a water filter is often the first (and best!) ...
  2. Infuse your water. Another way to improve the taste of your water is to infuse it with fruits, vegetables, and spices. ...
  3. Alkalize your water. ...
  4. Add fizz to make sparkling tap water. ...
  5. Clean or replace your pipes.

What is the best tasting water? ›

The Top 5 Best Tasting Waters
  • Smart Water. Smart Water is bottled still water that is further enriched with electrolytes. ...
  • Mountain Valley. “Back to the source,” says the Mountain Valley's motto, and when you take a sip from this bottled water you'd know what they mean. ...
  • Fiji. ...
  • Voss. ...
  • Evian.

Why do people use bottled water instead of tap water? ›

Drinking water – tap, filtered, or bottled – is important for healthy hydration and plays a vital role in people's lives. Consumers choose bottled water for several reasons, including taste, quality, and convenience.

What are some cons about tap water? ›

Cons: Tap water can also pick up pesticides which have been washed into streams and rivers. Chlorine is added to tap water to help disinfect it, but it can react with fallen leaves to form a toxic byproduct. Even your own pipes can contaminate tap water with lead.

How long is water safe in plastic bottles? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. How long can you keep bottled water? According to the US Food and Drug Administration, bottled drinking water doesn't require an expiration date. We recommend to use the standard best practices and to consume the bottled water within 2 years from the date of manufactured.

Which bottled water is 100% spring? ›

Ice Mountain® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water.

Is spring water better than tap water? ›

In that respect, tap water does not differ from water that is sold as high-quality spring water. There are no studies that show that mineral water is healthier than spring or tap water. In fact, Dutch tap water is already of the highest quality possible.

Is alkaline or spring water better? ›

Both alkaline and spring water can be good sources of hydration and may provide many benefits. Alkaline water is typically made through an artificial process, while spring water has natural alkaline and minerals. In general, alkaline water features fewer nutrients than naturally occurring spring water.

Is bottled water tested more than tap water? ›

Both kinds of water are tested regularly for bacteria and most synthetic organic chemicals, but city tap is typically assessed much more frequently. For example, bottlers must test for coliform bacteria just once a week; city tap needs to be tested 100 or more times a month.

Does tap water taste different? ›

Along with the various minerals, one of the most prominent flavors you are likely to taste in tap water is the chlorine that's added to make it safe to drink. Riese notes that some tap water can "taste and smell like a pool" if it has a lot of chlorine added.

Can bottled water taste different? ›

I proudly stand on the side that agrees that different brands produce different qualities of water, and therefore different tastes. There is concrete evidence to suggest the different taste, and I will present my case now. Different water brands obtain and package their product in different parts of the world.

Does filtered water taste different to tap water? ›

Utilising filtration to eliminate these compounds not only enhances the water's freshness but also elevates its overall taste, making it more palatable and enjoyable. It's important to note that taste is closely linked to aroma, so both aspects are equally significant for a satisfying drinking experience.

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