Is tap water safer than bottled?

Score one for the green movement. For years as sales of bottled water climbed, environmental groups said it was likely less safe than tap water even without taking into consideration the impact on the enviroment. This week the government agreed. A study released by the General Accounting Office said that bottled water undergoes less scrutiny than tap water, which must meet a tougher safety standard. The GAO study found that the regulation of bottled water (under the Food and Drug Administration's Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) is less strict than the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of tap water (under the Safe Drinking Water Act).

This news came during a House subcommittee hearing in which John Stephenson of the GAO told the House panel that when it comes to water, the FDA lacks the regulatory authority of the EPA.

In fact, bottled water makers are not required to disclose even as much information as your local municipality. If you live in a city of 10,000 residents or more, you probably receive a copy of a water report each year. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that public water systems test tap water for various contaminants using certified laboratories and issue a water-quality report, called the consumer-confidence report (CCR), once a year.  (For particularly toxic contaminants, the SDWA requires results to be reported within 24 hours.)  The CCR summarizes local drinking water quality, information about the water source, levels of detected contaminants, whether any of the detected contaminants exceed federal levels, as well as information on the potential health effects of certain contaminants. (If you live in a smaller town, consult the EPA's Web site.)

In contrast, bottled water manufacturers don't have to use certified laboratories nor report the results of any water quality testing to the FDA, even if the contaminants exceed federal standards. The GAO study also found that only a small percentage of the 83 bottled water labels looked at, companies contacted, or company Web sites reviewed contained information comparable to that required of tap water.

In addition, SDWA has set standards for acceptable levels of the plasticizer DEHP (a chemical widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride plastics), which is an endocrine-disrupting compound banned in children's products.  The FDA, on the other hand, still has not set a standard for DEHP in bottled water.

In 2000, when Consumer Reports last tested bottled water, we found it to be safe when it met FDA standards.  There were some disturbing findings, however.  Eight of 10 five-gallon polycarbonate jugs we tested left residues of BPA, another endocrine disrupting chemical that we think should be banned from use in children's products, as some states have done.  All tested bottled water brands met the then-current EPA and FDA arsenic standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb), but two exceeded the EPA's new 10 ppb standard, effective in 2006.  We also reviewed 25 CCR reports and found that 22 of them reported some contaminants such as lead, chlorine and E. coli.  Indeed, some water samples from Boston had lead levels 45 times higher than the federal limit.

The bottom line is that bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water.  We think that FDA should:

• Have bottled water standards as strict as the EPA's tap water standards;
• Require bottled water companies to provide the same information to consumers as required for drinking water; and
• Set a standard for DEHP.

In the meantime, we recommend that consumers get a copy of their local CCR to see what the water quality issues are in their area. (How to decipher the report.)   If you want to test your own tap water, try calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for the names of state-certified testing labs or for your local health authority, which might offer low- or no-cost test kits, or check the EPA's Web site for listings. 

Also testifying at the hearing was the president and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association who said that its code of practice for bottled water had testing and monitoring levels that exceeded FDA requirements. The IBWA followed up with a press release saying it was willing to work with the FDA to address the issues contained in the GAO report.  After the hearing, the House subcommittee sent letters to 13 bottled water companies requesting documents related to testing of bottled water and its sources, as well as lists of the names and locations of each company's water sources.-- Michael Hansen, Ph.D.

Comments

[Philip Tierno Jr, PhD]

The issues regarding bottled water are of concern. Studies have found the rate of total dissolved solutes is sometimes four times higher in bottled water versus tap water, and bottled water may contain estrogenic chemicals from plastic leaching into water. In addition, the environmental impact of bottled water is significant. Two billion bottles of water were consumed globally last year (an amount that would stretch to the moon and back 56 times), yet only 20 percent of plastic bottles get recycled.

While the EPA regulates public drinking systems and has set standards for more than 90 contaminants that may pose a health risk, the agency’s laws regarding toxic substances need to be modernized and overhauled. For instance, there currently are no federal standards for Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), perchlorates, pharmaceuticals and radon. Additionally, despite EPA standards treated tap water may contain chemical impurities, physical impurities, protozoa and harmful viruses. Numerous incidences of contamination in local water supplies occur every year.

When it comes to finding safe drinking water with a low environmental impact, it is important for consumers to explore their options. There are a variety of home treatment systems on the market although many only filter water. One system that both filters and purifies is HoMedics Restore, which uses UV light technology to effectively remove harmful bacteria, viruses and microbial cysts.

[Daniel Kallem]

Not only is the local production of water resources important for the reasons implied here, I also believe it is time for individuals, neighborhoods and smaller communities to take even more control to ensure they have access not only to water, but also the means with which to clean any water source of the many contaminants that pollute our nation. Fortunately, most contaminated water can be cleaned with inexpensive means, and I urge all families to invest in home, gravity-fed water treatment systems sufficient to supply drinking/cooking water for your household. In case of emergencies, of course.

Even absent periodic disruptions in the delivery of water, it is likely that at some point in the not-too-distant future water will be much more difficult to come by and, as with much of the basic government provided "infrastructure" that has supported our unsustainable lifestyles, we will experience increasing insecurity with regard to the acquisition of this precious resource.

At least take basic steps to protect yourself, your family and your community. Please do NOT simply rely upon "the authorities," or the comforting-though-not-necessarily-true thought that "it could never happen," or it may be the last thing you ever do!

[al hayward]

We have a major cancer problem here in western Palm Beach County, FL. There are an unusual number of children (and some adults) that have developed cancer- mostly brain cancer. The area they live in does not have city water and most use wells. The State and County are investigating but so far no results. Many residents suspect the well water is contaminated by a nearby factory. Most of the residents are now using bottled water until the study is complete. Looks like either city or bottled water is a much better choice then well water these days.
PS: The factory spill, if three is one, happened many years ago before most of the residents moved into this are.

[Vickie Voit]

I simply want this - clean water that is safe, free from contaminants, and tastes good. You'd think that would be a simple request from anybody who provides water. Evidently not. I'd rather have a great filter on my home water system (and have the water tested to make sure it was safe) and carry whatever water I needed wherever I was going in clean, safe containers, whatever that might be. Likely, that would not be any plastic.

Unfortunately, nothing seems to be simple anymore. Maybe it never was. :-D And as Thomas Jefferson said - "The price of peace is eternal vigilance." Each of us is responsible for whatever comes into our lives.

[EC]

Personally I am more concerned with what is being added to our tap water. How does fluoride-bleach-etc.. effect our bodies? When opening a bottle of water I do not smell or taste chemicals. However, when I turn on the tap I smell and can taste chemicals if I choose to take a sip. For me this is unacceptable. I feel we should investigate new ways of treating our water, ozonation, solar, gravity water filters just to name a few.

[liu le]

I don't want to know what the Government determined, I want to know what Consumer Reports found. Isn't that your role, unbiased testing?

[b Sands]

Good article. I have always suspected the claims made by the the bottlers of so called suh as 'spring water', 'fresh from the mountains' etc. Public can now decide for themselves whether to use it or not. finally the reality has come to the surface. These businesses need be regulated similar to all other health related enterprises.

B. Sands

[Carol W]

I think the way to go for safety as well as taste is to filter your water. I use _________ (unnamed) filters and a tester is supplied to let you know when the filter needs replacing. It also filters out desirable minerals, but I buy liquid minerals to add to the filtered water.

I feel much better now that I am not using so many plastic jugs which affect the environment. And the overall cost is less than buying bottled water, not to mention having to lug that many jugs home from the grocery store.

[Larry Weiner]

Given a preference, I'd prefer to use tap water (home, office, restaurant, etc). However, bottled water definitely has its place. When involved with outdoor activities in hot and/or dry climates, then bottled water is almost certainly beneficial, even with PVC concerns. It may be that tap water is safer than bottled, but bottled water is certainly safer than no water (I'd venture that a rule of thumb is that it's the same as tap water in almost all cases with an added possibility of contamination from the bottling plant plus the plastics concerns). I would just like for the anti-bottling campaigns to keep in mind that bottled water does have its place, and it's probably more beneficial than other bottled drinks in most cases.

[AJ King]

Bottled water has long been a garden hose operation. Many people pay the extra money for the "cup" (bottle)and convenience. Water snobs pay for the prestige (lol).

It sounds like the containers and the water are in question. Does heat in a car/garage contaminate water stored in the average plastic bottle?

I've seen city tap water that was horrid in Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, so I'm sure the water quality being compared is relative and generalized. The article should say that and how to fight for higher quality tap water where people live.

Thanks for focusing on a topic everyone can benefit from that is such a major part of human life.

[Betty]

My husband and I have a shallow well (out in the country) and we have a Culligan reverse osmosis system, which we are very happy with. We get the filters changed yearly, and it isn't very expensive. It's MUCH more convenient than hauling gallon jugs of water to the store to fill and is always available when I'm thirsty. For us, it's the only way to go.

[D]

Sometimes bottled water is the better choice. Even in a larger city (somewhat) of Springfield, IL when the water comes out of the tap smelling foul at least once a month.

[BTINAZ]

Having grown up in NYC, I could not agree more. But we moved to AZ 20 years ago, & when I boiled tap water for tea, there was a mineral-based scum floating around the edge of the cup. Reverse osmosis systems are NOT expensive. Portable systems (that can be moved from home to home) are less than $200 in places like Costco; some even include free installation. We change our filters yearly because there are only two of us; larger families would need to change them more often. But it's a D-I-Y job for most people, and a lot cheaper and healthier than paying for and drinking bottled water. When filling jugs at machines near grocery stores, you are just getting tap water most of the time, and paying for it twice!
Just make sure to use plastic bottles that don't have BPA, which disintegrates over time, so you'll see floaties in the bottles. That's the pieces of plastic breaking up. Use glass, aluminum or non-BPA plastic bottles, especially if you freeze water as we do in Arizona, for consumption later in the heat of the day.
I reported the issue of disintegrating plastic bottles to the FDA more than 5 years ago. It's taken them this long to act on it.

[Terri Illes]

Despite the fact that your organization consistently ignores rural america, I believe that it is important to remember that many people still are reliant on well water; well water that I might add that is increasingly unsafe. Those of us with unsafe tap water from wells are reliant on bottled water, and would prefer impartial information that will help us make wise choices for our families' safety.
Thank you.

[Sally B]

First, I drink tap water. However, I did put a coarse water filter on my whole house water because I read that Denver's water pipes were lead and that there was lead in the sediment--sediment that was also damaging old brass water faucets (by scoring) and clogging the screens on my water hose timers. I found out that it is usual practice (around here, anyway) for labs to filter the water before they measure contaminants, so the lead did not show up. Changing the filters is cheap and easy.

[Wesley Carroll]

How safe or pure is Kentwood Water

[Marilyn Wilson]

This is a great article. I have heard many reports that suggest bottled water is not as safe as tap water, but it's great to see the EPA confirm the findings.

Now, let's encourage everyone to buy a Camelbak and drink tap water all day instead of wasteful and now less healthy bottled water.

Now how about helping us pesticides, hormones and high fructose corn syrup from our food supply too!

[Ernestine S. Bonicelli]

My concern about water coming through my tap is the chemicals in it. It may be killing germs but it is also aggravating my acid reflux condition to the point that if I do not have a filter on the faucet or use bottled water, I have to increase my medicine to deal with the increased symptoms. If it will do that to my gastrointestinal tract, what else is it doing to my body? Could it possibly be contributing to the almost epidemic levels of acid reflux being experienced by the population? What else? There are a growing number of people with sleep apnea. This highly chemical laced water goes through the throat where the involved tissue is found. Somebody needs to be doing more research in this area. Germs are not the only concern, nor is prevention of dental caries.

[Jeremy]

I applaud Congress for demanding that bottled water be held to the same standards as tap.

If the reliable water that flows from our municipal systems has consistently met the EPA’s guidelines, shouldn’t bottled water corporations like Coke, Pepsi, and Nestlé be held to the same standards?

Unlike the EPA, which is required to provide consumers with complete information about the quality of their water and report quality breaches, the FDA lacks a strong capacity to monitor bottled water companies. As watchdog groups like Corporate Accountability International have long-demanded (www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org), the very least that private companies could do is supply information on the quality and source of their water.

Transparency has always benefited the consumer. If corporations like Coke continue refraining from the same standards of evaluation as public systems, it is my deepest hope that Congress and the public will help to reverse this trend.

[Jean F]

I have to have a well (live out in the country). The well water is contaminated with high levels of lead, bacteria and so much salt it kills plants. It is completely unsafe to drink, or even use for tooth brushing. So we have to depend on bottled water, or buy an expensive reverse osmosis unit. A new well did not help, we're at 280 feet now.