Bottled Water vs Tap Water
Bottled water and tap water have some important differences between them. Tap water supplies are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency whereas bottled water industry is controlled by the Food and Drug Administration. This is especially true when bottled water crosses borders of a state. However, you have to understand that from among the two, tap water is the one that has heavy regulations. Tap water also happens to be cheaper than bottled water. Sometimes, in some countries, where the bottled water companies use tap water for their bottled water, both bottled water and tap water happens to be of the same quality.
What is Tap Water?
Tap water is the water that comes to home through pipes from reservoirs. Tap water at all times is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Government standards are set for tap water. Coliform bacteria are not allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency in the case of tap water. Filtration must be done in the case of tap water if water is taken from the surface of pond, lake or stream. Tap water should be ensured that it does not contain toxic chemicals like phthalate before it is supplied. It is a must for tap water to undergo a stern test for pathogen content. One of the main advantages of tap water is that it is available free of cost or for a very low cost. There is, of course, the minimum of water tax payable by the year.
What is Bottled Water?
Bottled water is the water that comes in a plastic bottle which one can buy from a store. Bottled water supplies are controlled by the Food and Drug Administration. Bottled water supplies are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration if water is sold well within a state. Government standards are not set for bottled water. Another important difference between bottled water and tap water is that coliform bacteria are allowed by the Food and Drug Administration in the case of bottled water. Bottled water does not necessitate the filtering of water in case, water is taken from the surface of a pond or a river. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has not made the filtration of water in such a case mandatory. Bottled water, on the contrary to tap water, is not conditioned by the checking for toxic chemicals like phthalate before it is supplied. Bottled water does not need to undergo any test for the presence of germs. You have to spend much more money to purchase bottled water when you compare it with tap water.
What is the difference between Bottled Water and Tap Water?
Definitions of Bottled Water and Tap Water:
Bottled Water: Bottled water is the water that comes in a plastic bottle which one can buy from a store.
Tap Water: Tap water is the water that comes to home through pipes from reservoirs.
Characteristics of Bottled Water and Tap Water:
Source and Distribution:
Bottled Water: Bottled water is the water taken from springs or public water sources that is purified, bottled, and distributed.
Tap Water: Tap water comes through pipelines and purification systems to the home from a reservoir.
Regulation:
Bottled Water: Bottled water is normally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Tap Water: Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Minerals:
Bottled Water: Sometimes minerals are added to the bottled water.
Tap Water: Minerals are not additionally added to the tap water other than chlorine.
Chlorine:
Bottled Water: Bottled water does not have chlorine.
Tap Water: Chlorine is added to tap water.
Acquiring:
Bottled Water: To acquire bottle water, you have to go to a store and buy it.
Tap Water: If you have installed a water pipeline, you can get tap water at home.
Cost:
Bottled Water: Bottled water is much more expensive.
Tap Water: Tap water is very cheap.
As you can see, both bottled water and tap water show some differences between them though they are both water. However, since tap water is more regulated by authorities, it appears to be the safer choice. To be safer, you can either filter or boil tap water before you consume it.
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