Should I drink bottled water?

Summary

In 2022, global bottled water consumption reached a record 15.9 billion gallons, marking seven consecutive years of outperforming carbonated soft drinks in volume, with sales reaching nearly $46 billion. Bottled water's popularity stems from various factors, including taste, safety perception, and convenience. The article discusses the different types of commercially bottled water, their sources, and safety regulations enforced by the FDA and EPA. While most bottled water is considered safe, individuals with weakened immune systems should exercise caution, especially regarding the parasitic organism Cryptosporidium. The article also emphasizes that some bottled waters labeled with certain terms may not effectively remove contaminants. Informed decision-making and scrutiny of labels are essential for ensuring the safety of bottled water, as it may still pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations. Boiling or using appropriate filters can be additional precautions. Ultimately, fancy packaging doesn't guarantee bottled water's safety, so consumers should prioritize their health.

According to data from the International Bottled Water Association, in 2022, the global consumption of bottled water reached an all-time high, with a staggering 15.9 billion gallons sold. This marked the seventh consecutive year that bottled water outperformed carbonated soft drinks in terms of volume. Moreover, the financial aspect was equally impressive, with sales in 2022 reaching nearly $46 billion, a notable increase from the $40.8 billion recorded in 2021. To put this into perspective, this revenue surpasses the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Guyana, Belize, Rwanda, Nicaragua, and Chad.

Indeed, the popularity of bottled water can be attributed to various factors. Some individuals opt for it as a substitute for other beverages, while others appreciate its taste or perceive it as safer than tap water. Whether it flows through pipes to your home or arrives conveniently packaged in a bottle, access to safe drinking water is a fundamental cornerstone of good health. The origin of all our drinking water is rooted in similar sources, originating from visible reservoirs like rivers and lakes or hidden underground aquifers that remain unseen but crucial to our water supply. Where does bottled water come from?

Around the globe, people annually invest billions of dollars in a wide array of commercially bottled water options, each with distinct characteristics:

1. Spring Water: Sourced from underground formations where water naturally surfaces.

2. Purified Water: Created through processes such as distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other methods that meet the U.S. Pharmacopeia's definition of "purified water."

3. Mineral Water: Natural water boasting a mineral content of not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solid minerals.

4. Sparkling Water: Treated water, which may have carbon dioxide added to mimic the same carbonation it possessed when emerging from its source.

5. Artesian Well Water: Derived from wells that tap into confined aquifers.

6. Well Water: Extracted from holes drilled, bored, or otherwise constructed in the ground.

These various water options cater to a diverse range of preferences and needs worldwide.

Significantly, the FDA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of bottled water by harmonizing its standards with the regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for tap water. When these stringent criteria are met, the water is typically deemed safe for consumption by most healthy individuals. To reinforce this, the FDA urges the bottled water industry to strictly adhere to its established manufacturing practices for the processing and bottling of water.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to take a proactive approach by delving deeper into the specifics of your bottled water. Examining the label can provide valuable insights into its source and treatment process. Additionally, keep an eye out for the bottling company's toll-free number or website address on the label. This information can be instrumental in obtaining further details and ensuring your peace of mind regarding the quality of the water you consume.

Is it safe to drink?

While individuals choose bottled water for a variety of reasons, such as its taste, convenience, an alternative to other beverages, or due to perceived health benefits, it is crucial to bear in mind that, like all water intended for human consumption, the EPA advises caution when it comes to the water we consume. Specifically, individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as AIDS, medications like chemotherapy, or transplant medications are more susceptible to microbial contaminants found in drinking water, such as Cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium oocysts, often referred to as crypto, are parasitic organisms that can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, characterized by watery diarrhea and sometimes a persistent cough. These parasites are prevalent in natural water sources and can endure for extended periods in such environments. Alarmingly, even minuscule doses of these parasites can infect humans. Notably, there have been documented outbreaks of this parasite in the United States, with a significant occurrence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1993, where an estimated 400,000 people fell ill.

Certainly, the allure of having a bottle of water at your fingertips for various purposes is undeniable. However, it's worth noting that both the FDA and EPA have provided guidelines regarding the types of bottled water that are deemed safe for consumption, particularly with regards to protection against the Crypto parasite.

Water bearing any of the four messages listed below has undergone a proven treatment process effective in eliminating the Crypto parasite and other biological contaminants, thus ensuring its safety for consumption:

1. Distillation: Water is vaporized, leaving minerals behind, and then condensed back into water.

2. Reverse Osmosis: Water is pressured through membranes to eliminate minerals.

3. Absolute 1 Micron Filtration: Water passes through filters that capture particles larger than one micron (0.00004 inches) in size, including Cryptosporidium.

4. Ozonation: Instead of chlorine, ozone gas is commonly used as an antimicrobial agent for water disinfection in various bottled waters to avoid imparting residual taste and odor.

Surprisingly, due to rigorous EPA regulations, most public water systems are often considered safer than certain bottled waters. This safety is assured through strict requirements, including treatment procedures and adhering to minimal chemical thresholds

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises caution regarding bottled water labeled with terms such as "Filtered, Micro-filtered, Carbon-filtered, Particle-filtered, Multimedia-filtered, Ozonated, Ozone-treated, Ultraviolet light-treated, Activated carbon-treated, Carbon dioxide-treated, Ion exchange-treated, Deionized, Purified, Chlorinated." These commercial bottled waters may not employ effective methods for removing contaminants.

Moreover, those with labels including "well water," "artesian well water," "spring water," or "mineral water" on commercially bottled water do not assure the absence of Cryptosporidium. However, bottled water sourced from protected wells or springs is generally less likely to contain Crypto compared to water from less protected sources like rivers and lakes.

While bottled water may still be safe to drink, it's essential to exercise informed decision-making. Contaminated bottled water has the potential to jeopardize health, leading to issues like gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, may be at higher risk of illness due to contaminants present in such waters.

When uncertain about the safety of your water, consider boiling it for a few minutes to effectively eliminate contaminants like Cryptosporidium parasites and other microorganisms. While using a filter that employs reverse osmosis or an absolute 1-micron filter can be a reliable option, it will not eliminate 100% of other potential disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses

Remember, the fancy packaging of bottled water doesn't necessarily make it safer than tap water. Always scrutinize the label, make informed choices, and prioritize a healthy lifestyle.