Many people try to eat healthy food, but we rarely think about the quality of water. Tap water almost always contains, if not pathogenic bacteria, then at least chemical contaminants and heavy metals. In addition, tap water is usually hard – it does not cause much harm to health, but can worsen the condition of hair and skin. Therefore, no one recommends drinking water directly from the tap. You can buy cleaner bottled water in stores, but some people consider this a waste of money. There is an opinion that bottled water is also taken from the nearest tap and simply sold with a significant markup. Is there really no difference between tap and store-bought water?
There really is a difference between tap and bottled water, we'll tell you all about it now. Source: riskandinsurance.com
Contents
- 1 Why is tap water bad
- 2 Why is store-bought water better than tap water
- 3 What is the best quality water
- 4 How to purify water at home
Why is tap water bad
In almost all cities, tap water goes through many stages of purification. This is impossible because many settlements receive water from surface sources, where pathogenic bacteria can live. In some cities, water is purified from microorganisms using chlorine, while in others, safer sodium hypochlorite is used. The permissible level of chlorine in water is 4 milligrams per liter, such a concentration does not harm human health.
Tap water is clean, but it is recommended to additionally filter and boil it before drinking. Source: bk55.ru
But even after purification, water can become dirty when flowing through old water pipes. In some cities, they are not replaced with new ones for several decades. As a result, residents' taps contain water contaminated with heavy metals such as iron, lead, and copper. Therefore, drinking water directly from the tap is not recommended – you still need to filter it at least in a special jug, and then boil it.
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Why is store-bought water better than tap water?
The responsibility for the quality of tap water lies with the organization that provides the water supply. And the purity and safety of bottled water is the responsibility of the manufacturer. In order to sell drinking water for money, Russian entrepreneurs must prove that it is safe. The requirements for those who sell drinking water for children are especially serious.
Stores sell both water from natural sources and more thoroughly purified tap water. You can tell one from the other by the label – manufacturers are required to indicate the source of the water. Before being sold, the water is tested for salt and gas composition, taste and smell, as well as many other indicators.
There are many requirements for bottled water producers that they must comply with. Source: vestart.ru
Bottled water is almost always better than tap water, even if it is also taken from the tap. The fact is that manufacturers clean them from small contaminants by passing them through carbon or sand filters. They can also treat the water with ultraviolet light to kill all bacteria. Bottled water is regularly tested for quality, and almost every time it turns out to be better than tap water.
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Which water is the best quality
For example, in 2020, specialists from Roskachestvo checked the quality of bottled water of six brands. The study showed that five of the six brands met all standards. They only noted that bottled water often lacks calcium and magnesium, and has more sodium.
In the end, bottled water is worth the money in most cases. Source: polymerbranch.com
Tap water also met the standards, but it contained particles of ammonia and other chemicals. According to experts, if tap water had to be rated, it would receive 0 points. So bottled water is always better.
However, sometimes counterfeit products are sold in stores. Before buying, you need to pay attention to the tightness of the bottles, or evaluate the quality of the water after purchase. The main thing is that it looks clean and does not have foreign tastes or a strange smell.
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How to purify water at home
Many people do not buy bottled water because it is expensive. In this case, you can buy a jug with replaceable filters and change them about every month.
A water filter jug can be bought in almost every store. Source: vyborexperta.ru
There are also filters that are installed under the sink. They are much more expensive and must be installed by a professional. But they are convenient because after installation, purified water immediately flows from the tap. And you need to fill the jug with water in advance and wait for the tank to fill.
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