Almost 40 percent of bottled water is ordinary tap water

FACT : According to government and industry estimates, almost 40 percent of bottled water is ordinary tap water, often with no additional treatment. "Additional treatment" = changing out the lawn hose before filling a new batch.

• "FDA Should Adopt EPA Tap Water Health Goals for Bottled Water," news release, Environmental Working Group, November 19, 2008, www.ewg.org.
• "Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?" National Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org.

FACT : While the results of tap water contamination tests are made public, manufacturers of bottled water do not divulge their test results.

FACT : While the results of tap water contamination tests are made public, manufacturers of bottled water do not divulge their test results. Chalk it up to the protection of trade secrets. Every brand of bottled water has its own proprietary blend of pathogens, contaminants, and waste that give the product its uniquely refreshing taste.

• "FDA Should Adopt EPA Tap Water Health Goals for Bottled Water," news release, Environmental Working Group, November 19, 2008, www.ewg.org.

FACT : Bottled water is rarely tested for purity.

Tap watter vs bottled watter

FACT : Bottled water is rarely tested for purity. An Environmental Working Group study found that ten popular brands were riddled with chemical pollutants and bacteria, some as high as tap water. Hey, you wanted low prices.

• "FDA Should Adopt EPA Tap Water Health Goals for Bottled Water," news release, Environmental Working Group, November 19, 2008, www.ewg.org.
• "Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?" National Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org.

FACT: Bottled drinking water has been marketed as being cleaner and more pure than ordinary tap water...

...but, in a recent study, a third of bottled water showed significant chemical or bacterial contamination, including arsenic, nitrates, carcinogenic compounds, and coliform bacteria. Probably the bottom third; that kind of stuff tends to sink.

"Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?" National Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org.