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The Los Angeles Times published a great story today about bottled water vs. tap water. Essentially, concluding that tap water is the way to go.

I would argue it is the way to go for reducing the volume of plastic bottles in our landfills. Their argument is more about the fact that tap water undergoes testing that bottled water is not required to do, therefore you are safer drinking from the tap.

For example: “And while large public water supplies are often tested for contaminants up to several times a day, the FDA requires private bottlers to test for contaminants only once a week, once a year or once every four years, depending on the contaminant.”

Or: “Tap water suppliers are also subject to broader scrutiny; they’re required by law to publish and circulate an annual Consumer Confidence Report, which states their sources of water and any contaminants found. The FDA doesn’t require this of bottled-water makers, and though inspectors can drop in on water-bottling plants, such visits are assigned low priority, FDA press officer Michael Herndon says. Companies also aren’t required to share any contamination episodes with their customers.”

However, they conclude, the real benefit to drinking from the tap…. money savings. And, who couldn’t use a bit more of that. “Price it by the gallon, and water in those single-serve bottles is more expensive than even today’s high-priced gasoline.”

You can find the full article HERE.