Did you know that the US is the largest consumer of bottled water in the world?
That’s right, every year Americans spend a whopping $16 billion on bottled water!
Research suggests that 61 million Americans don’t drink tap water and exclusively drink filtered or bottled water.
But why are so many Americans drinking bottled or filtered water when water is free and easy to access in the country?
The answer is simple; many water scandals and scares have led consumers to be wary of tap water over the last few years.
So, if you’re one of them and are wondering whether you should drink bottled water or filtered water, read on as we detail the pros and cons of each.
Bottled Water
Pros of Drinking Bottled Water
Convenience
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should drink on average 3.2 liters of fluid a day and women 2.7 liters. Now, keeping up with your water intake can be challenging, especially if you’re often on the go. That’s where bottled water becomes a great option. Whether you’re in the office, enjoying outdoor activities, or simply shopping for the day with your friends, cracking open a bottle of water is much easier than trying to find a filtered water tap every time you’re thirsty. Besides, having bottled water on your desk can be a fantastic reminder to keep hydrated.
Healthier Than Tap Water
Numerous studies have revealed high levels of contaminants such as arsenic, lead, or chemicals are present in tap water across the US. What’s more, scandals such as the Erin Brockovich story or the Flint Water crisis have shown how low-quality tap water can affect our health and even lead to deaths in certain cases.
That’s why bottled water has gained massive popularity over the last few years. Bottled water is usually filtered before being bottled and therefore free of most contaminants.
Cons of Drinking Bottled Water
Expensive
Americans spend on average between $405.15 and $1,460 on bottled water per person each year. Of course, the cost significantly varies depending on how much you drink every day and the cost of the bottled water in your local shop. However, these figures reflect a harsh reality for bottled water drinkers; purchasing bottled water can quickly add up and represent an important budget for your family.
Bad For the Planet
Unfortunately, bottled water poses a massive threat to the health of our planet. 80% of water bottles are not recycled, and more than 60 million are thrown away every day in the US, most of which end up in landfills, waterways, and oceans.
That’s why many organizations such as Ban the Bottle fight to ban water bottles, and some cities such as San Francisco have already banned their sales.
Filtered Water
Pros of Drinking Filtered Water
Removing Contaminants
Water filtration systems are designed to remove heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from your water. Even though bottled water is also filtered most of the time, the benefit of filtered water is that, unlike bottled water, it doesn’t contain microplastics.
However, keep in mind that not all filters are created equal. For instance, water pitchers can only remove contaminants such as chlorine or zinc and are unable to get rid of substances like bacteria, fluoride, or nitrates.
So, to ensure you’re removing all of the contaminants of your drinking water, you’ll need to invest in a Reverse Osmosis system.
This type of system is the most efficient way to provide your family with healthy water.
Saving Money
Filtered water is free. The only cost will be installing your filtration system and changing the filter occasionally. However, given the cost of purchasing bottled water, installing a water filter system is a financially sound investment. In fact, a water filtration system can save you a staggering $1,400 a year on average if you drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day.
Protecting the Planet
As mentioned above, bottled water has a terrible impact on the planet. Filtered water is the best alternative to protect the Earth as it doesn’t require using plastics.
Indeed, installing a water filtration system at home allows you to fill up your eco-friendly reusable bottles on-demand, meaning you’ll never need to use plastic bottles again.
Cons of Drinking Filtered Water
Upfront Installation Cost
This can sound contradictory to what we said earlier about saving money, but it’s not.
While installing a home filter to purify your water will save you money in the long term as you won't need to buy costly bottled water, the upfront installation cost is still one of the main reasons people choose bottled water over filtered water.
However, If you hydrate as recommended (between 3.2 and 2.7 liters a day), installation and maintenance costs will quickly cover the cost of purchasing water bottles every day.
Final thoughts
Sure, bottled water is much better for your health than sugary drinks or contaminated tap water. However, it has a terrible impact on the planet. On the other hand, installing a home filter to purify your water will allow you to enjoy the benefits of filtered water while protecting the planet.
And at Filtersmart, we’re committed to providing our customers with healthy, affordable, and sustainable water. That’s why we’ve designed high-quality house filters, all made in the USA, so that you and your family can enjoy first-class water without breaking the bank or destroying the planet. Considering installing a water filter in your home?
Get in touch here. We’d be happy to discuss your needs and see how we can help.
