No, bottled water is not always the same as filtered water; some bottled water is just filtered tap water, while other types come from springs and may not be filtered at all, though both aim to provide clean water, filtered water offers more control over quality, cost, and environmental impact, often removing more contaminants like chlorine and microplastics while retaining good minerals.
Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.
However, the reality is more complex. While some bottled waters do come from natural springs, many are simply filtered tap water, often indistinguishable from what flows from your kitchen tap.
Brands like Aquafina and Dasani source their water from municipal supplies, then purify it through reverse osmosis or distillation before bottling.
Filtered water, also marketed as spring water or bottled water, is found in most grocery stores. This type of water may have come from a tap water source or, if marketed as spring water, from a source underground. The water is then run through a type of filter, carbon filters being the most common.
The answer isn't as straightforward as it seems. Many types of bottled water are filtered. However, treatment processes may differ depending on the brand and type — and many may not be designed to handle emerging contaminants like microplastics or “forever chemicals.”
Filtered water is groundwater or tap water that has undergone a process to remove impurities and a variety of physical and chemical contaminants in an effort to make the water cleaner for drinking (not to mention far more refreshing).
12 Healthy Bottled Water Brands
Bottlers must list on the label the type of bottled water (such as spring water, mineral water, or drinking water). If the water comes from a public water system and has not been treated to meet FDA's definition of “purified” or “sterile” water, the label must state that the source is from a community water system.
The "healthiest" bottled water in Australia often comes down to natural mineral waters with low nitrates, like Beloka Water, praised for its purity and minerals from Kosciuszko National Park, or Pureau, highlighting its extreme filtration (free from chlorine, fluoride, etc.). Other contenders include Stirling Spring Water for its natural alkaline properties and balanced minerals. Ultimately, look for water that's minimally processed, sourced from pristine natural springs, and rich in naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals, or exceptionally purified water, as suggested by brands like Beloka and Pureau.
It's not always advisable to drink filtered water because filters can strip beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and fluoride, potentially impacting health, and if not maintained, filters can become breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, contaminating the water they're meant to clean, as highlighted by sources like the BBC, CDC, and various health blogs https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240417-is-filtered-water-healthier-than-tap-water, https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/about-choosing-home-water-filters.html, https://www.tataneu.com/pages/electronics/home-appliances/how-to-identify-filtered-water-side-effects-at-home, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LObbHbx_2fY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x2rbkEjjsU, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ9gPky-uVk,. While filters remove harmful contaminants, they can also remove healthy components, making it crucial to choose the right filter and maintain it properly, or rely on a balanced diet for minerals.
The water is filtered to remove any particulate matter, micron-filtered to remove microbiological particles and ultra violet light is applied to ensure disinfection. FIJI Water is tested regularly for many hundreds of organic and inorganic chemicals that are regulated by the FDA.
Negative Health Implications
In addition, plastic water bottles have the potential to leak out chemicals into your water. These chemicals can cause reproductive issues, increase the risk for cancer, and even heighten your risk for other chronic conditions like diabetes.
High-quality filtration: Properly filtered water contains fewer contaminants than bottled water because water purification systems use advanced processes to deliver the cleanest water possible.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation from the EWG study is that approximately 64% of the bottled water sold in the United States is actually sourced from municipal tap water. This means that many consumers are paying a premium for water that they could easily obtain from their kitchen sink.
Aquafina and Dasani, two of the biggest bottled water brands in the world, do this. Of course, they don't advertise they're taking from the tap — their labels simply read “purified water” — but that's exactly what they're doing: filtering tap water.
The 14 bottled water brands recalled by Niagara Bottling in 2015 due to potential E. coli contamination included private labels like 7-Eleven, Wegmans, Shoprite, Acme, Big Y, Shaw's, and Pricerite, along with store brands such as **Nature's Place, Best Yet, Superchill, Morning Fresh, Western Beef Blue, and the main brand Niagara, plus Acadia, with affected products made between June 10-18, 2015, in Pennsylvania, identified by specific date codes starting with 'A' or 'F'.
Drinking water that is thoroughly disinfected can be stored indefinitely in capped plastic or glass containers that water will not rust, as metal containers may. Because the disinfectant that was in the water when you stored it will slowly go away, replacing the water every six months is recommended. 2.
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Glass Water Bottles - The Top Pick
Glass water bottles are the top choice to reduce exposure. While they're heavier and - of course - breakable, the toxic exposure risk is simply much lower than both BPA-free plastic and stainless steel.
The top 5 bottled waters vary by taste tests, but consistently praised brands include Fiji, known for its smooth, mineral taste from an ancient aquifer; Evian, a French natural spring water with naturally occurring electrolytes; Voss, Norwegian water from a deep aquifer with a soft, refreshing taste; Mountain Valley, a rich, mineral-filled spring from the U.S.; and Acqua Panna, Italian mineral water with a velvety finish, often served in fine dining, making a strong overall top 5.
Spring water is among the healthiest water to drink because it offers several benefits. It is naturally purified from an underground source, which means it is free of harmful contaminants like lead and chlorine. Since it does not undergo added filtration before bottling, it retains the beneficial minerals in the water.
Purified water
That's because it is not only filtered but also goes through an additional process such as distillation, reverse osmosis, deionisation or carbon filtration to remove pathogens, chemicals, contaminants, nutrients and minerals. As a result, it's sometimes also called 'demineralised water'.
Another drawback of water filters is that they may sometimes cause more harm than good, especially if cartridges aren't regularly replaced. Sponge-like activated carbon filters, in particular, can serve as breeding grounds for nasty bacteria.