It is not always easy to understand which bottled water to buy, especially if you have doubts about the meaning of the commercial terms on the packaging or on the bottles themselves. Many companies advertise their products claiming that they are more natural, healthier, or better than tap water. However, a little research can help you when you are faced with a wide variety of bottled waters. Some basic information can guide you towards choosing the best brand or type for your needs.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Buy Bottled Water
Step 1. Buy the product that comes from natural sources
Companies offer a wide choice of water types; however, you should take that of natural origin, such as that of spring or artesian wells. Try to buy:
- Artesian well water: comes from a well that contains both sand and rocks and which acts as an aquifer. These aquifers are important because they are natural filters for groundwater.
- Mineral water: does not contain more than 250 ppm of dissolved solids, contains both minerals and trace elements. During the processing and bottling phase it is not possible to add other minerals or elements that are not already present; the common minerals found in this product are: calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- Spring water: it must be collected from an underground source that gushes out naturally. It must be taken only at the source or through a piping system directly connected to it.
- sparkling water: it naturally contains carbon dioxide and after the treatment many companies add more.
Step 2. Avoid bottled water that comes from municipal sources
Some companies sell bottled water that is considered "tap" or that comes from the municipalities. If you are looking for an all-natural product or one that comes out of artesian wells, you shouldn't buy bottled tap water.
- Purified water must meet the standards set by the Ministry of Health. It must undergo distillation, reverse osmosis or ion exchange purification before being bottled. However, it is collected from the same municipal sources and is usually the same one that comes out of the tap.
- These products could be labeled "distilled water" or "purified drinking water".
- Purified bottled water is generally not considered to be of lower quality than other types; however, it should be clear that it does not come from a natural source and that it has not been extracted from an artesian well.
Step 3. Read the label on the bottle
If you look at the bottom or back of the package, you should find a label that refers to the type of plastic that particular bottle is made of. Typically, this is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which is used for many types of packaging and packaging and is considered safe by the European Union.
The chemical bisphenol A (also known as BPA) went through many checks at a later time. Just like with PET, you can read BPA on bottles made from this material. The European Food Safety Authority declares that current levels of exposure to bisphenol A are safe for health, but at the same time believes that further studies are needed
Step 4. Calculate the budget you can dedicate to bottled water
Some are quite expensive - especially those that are specially packaged or come from artesian wells.
- When considering buying this product, you need to consider how many bottles you consume per day or plan to drink; from this calculation you can understand how many bottles a week you have to get.
- From an economic point of view, it may be more effective to buy it in large quantities, as many stores offer a discount on purchases of this type.
- You may also want to consider a home delivery service. Some companies deliver large bottles with dispensers directly to your home, which you can use at home to fill reusable bottles.
Step 5. Store water properly
This product, just like many other foods and beverages, should be stored properly to ensure its safety and quality.
- Keep the water away from light and heat. The ideal would be to keep it in a cool and dark place.
- In theory, bottled wine does not expire if it is stored sealed in a cool, dark environment. However, an expiration date is indicated on the package to comply with the safety regulations imposed by the European Community.
- Consider how bottles are handled or stored. You should wash the cap or lid, especially if it doesn't have a protective film. This part of the container may be coated with bacteria or other contaminants from the bottling, transportation and sales process.
Part 2 of 2: Evaluating other Water Sources
Step 1. Purchase a home water purification system
These devices are more cost effective in the long run and reduce the amount of waste generated by plastic bottles. There are two types of purifiers: for the whole house (they treat all the water that enters the house system and are generally more expensive) and those for a single supply point (they filter water from a single tap, such as shower or kitchen sink). Many people choose the second type, because it is cheaper and comes in different models:
- Personal bottles with integrated filter. They are perfect for people who don't always have access to purified water.
- Jugs with built-in filter that purifies the water flowing through them.
- Tap purifiers that connect directly to the kitchen sink. However, special taps are often not compatible with these systems.
- Refrigerator / freezer purifiers. They are devices built into the appliance that supply liquid purified water and in the form of ice cubes.
Step 2. Purchase BPA-free refillable bottles
If you decide to use or consume tap water or have access to a purified water dispenser, you can consider buying reusable bottles to be environmentally friendly.
This way, you significantly reduce the amount of garbage and plastic bottles you throw away
Step 3. Drink tap water
Although the one that comes from the municipal aqueduct does not have the same "charm" as the bottled one, it represents a healthy and inexpensive alternative. Most of the water that comes out of domestic taps is perfectly safe to drink; if you have any doubts, you can buy a jug with a filter to keep in the refrigerator, to guarantee greater purity.
- Tap water is more frequently subjected to tests that also take into account a wider range of bacteria and other substances than bottled water; in addition, it must be disinfected before consumption.
- Up to 25% of bottled water is actually plain tap water, which is why it is important to read and understand the label and commercial language.
Advice
- If you can't afford bottled water or can't find a brand that meets the quality you want, you can consider buying a filter.
- Some companies that bottle water may add false claims on their labels or commercials about the source they use. Make sure your information comes from impartial bodies and institutions.
- Bottled water can prove to be quite expensive even if you buy the cheaper brands. Remember to calculate your monthly budget for drinking water and stick to it.
- Be wary of commercial phrases like "natural glacial water" or "pure spring water", as they have no meaning and mean nothing more than purified tap water.
