How To Choose a Bottled Water.

How To Choose a Bottled Water.
Drinking Water InformationThe varieties of drinking water available runs a wide range. On one end, distilled water contains essentially nothing but H2O; minerals, dissolved solids, etc. should all have been removed through the distillation process. On the other end, spa waters are loaded with carbonates and minerals. Selecting a bottled water to meet your needs can be confusing, until you compare your goals with the methods used to produce the water. We'll provide an overview and a general guide.
What is in bottled "water"?

First, keep in mind that water is simply one compound, H2O, which, by itself has no taste, repeat, no taste at all and no nutritional value. The taste and any health claims are derived from things added to or present along with the water. And although many claims have been and still are made for the various non-water additives, essentially they have only been shown to affect taste. The health claims are generally exaggerated. Keep in mind, that water, like air, is not a nutrient, although it can carry them.

The non-water constituents can be important, though, as distilled water has no taste, and is bland, while the minerals give waters a taste that some prefer. The same is true of pH: the range is very narrow and won't affect safety. Dissolved solids (usually iron oxide [rust] and other inerts, generally only affect appearances and clarity.
Types of bottled waters

First let's look at the types of water you will find on the market: Artesian Well Water, simple drinking water, distilled water, mineral water, purified water, sparkling water, spring water and well water. A complete definition of each type of water is found here, at the bottom of this page.
What do YOU want from a drinking water?

Why are you buying a bottled water: because it tastes better? To have a cleaner, safer source of water? Or because it's a spa water that will make your healthier?
Safety - absence of harmful properties


What harmful things can be in water? Pathogens, like cryptosporidium, bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, radon, etc. Most studies usually conclude that the "best" waters, in these terms, are produced from purified tap water. In other words, not bottled "natural" waters! In almost all areas of the US, EU, Japan, etc., the public water supplies produce a water which is very safe; free from harmful bacteria, viruses and chemicals. However, the pipes within a building and from the treatment plant could be old, have lead solders, allow iron oxide, etc. into the water, so a tap water filter removes these, along with dissolved solids and the dissolved chlorine. A brief word about chlorine: those who fear any additive, even those like chlorine which prevent disease-producing germs, viruses and bacteria to survive need to understand that chlorine is a gas at standard pressure and temperature. This means it will quickly evaporate from open water. Just as CO2 will quickly leave a bottle of soda once it is opened, Cl2 leaves the water on it's own. Even without a filter, tap water left in the fridge in a loosely covered bottle will be practically chlorine-free within 24 hours.

So, for safety, your choice would be a home purification systems (Reverse Osmosis and/or filtration), purchased bottled purified waters, like Dasani; or artesian waters.
Taste


This, of course, is highly subjective. It simply depends on what you like.

If you like bubbles, go for sparkling water.

However, in general, choose artesian waters rather than surface waters. Artesian supplies are stable, secure underground lakes, isolated from sources of contamination and unlikely to vary. (see "types of water, below) Surface waters and near surface wells and aquifers (like many springs) can be much more easily contaminated with industrial and agriculture run-off. Artesian waters will usually also have enough dissolved inorganic salts to give a taste that is pleasing.

Mineral waters will tend to have a stronger taste. Distilled water ought tt have no taste. Spring waters can vary considerably. In general, surface waters would be the last choice, as the are the most variable (from brand to bran) and have the greatest potential for most types of contamination (rainfall, surface run off, soil contamination, etc.).

The type of container can dramatically affect the taste of the water inside. Lower grade plastics such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene, from which milk jugs are often made), can give a "plastic taste" to the water. Look for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) instead. And even PET can contain contaminants, which move into the water over time. A conducted by researchers at the University of Heidelberg (Germany) Institute of Environmental Geochemistry tested for antimony in waters bottled in PET containers and found concentrations of more than 100 times the average level of antimony in uncontaminated groundwater, which is 2 parts per trillion (ppt). (2). The concentrations of antimony increase the longer the water was stored in the plastic. The bottom line: choose glass or PET plastic, and then use it promptly.

Look at the recycling stamp on the bottom of your plastic water bottle. The "safer" plastics are identified by a number "1" in the stamp or the letters "PET" or "PETE" on the bottom of the container. HDPE is identified by a number "2" in the stamp or the letters "HDPE" (high density polyethylene). A number "4" in the stamp or the letters "LDPE" means low density polyethylene, and a number "5" in the stamp or the letters "PP" means polypropylene. While all of these are allowed for drinking water; the best (that is, other than glass) is PET.
Health Properties


Discussing the "health" properties of bottled water is a lot like discussing crop circles and astrology. While there are people who believe that a certain water will make them healthier, there is absolutely no credible scientific evidence to suggest that a certain water has any properties that will make it healthier than simple clean, purified water and a healthy diet. In other words, the additives (natural or otherwise) such as carbonates, other minerals, etc. are present in a health diet and have not been shown to have any exceptional health value when present in water beyond that which they provide in other sources.

Put simply, there is no water which is a fountain of youth or health. But if you want to believe that are certain water will make you healthy, go for it. And can we also sell you some lucky magnetic Elvis medallions to put in your shoes to improve your health, too?
Tips for better tasting and healthier bottled water 

1) Look for water in high grade containers (glass or PET plastic)
2) Always keep bottled water out of bright light and away from sources of heat.
3) Don't store water for long periods (greater than 1 year) Most bottled waters have no\ expiration date, and while it is unlikely that substantial amounts of microbial growth would occur, it makes no sense to purchase bottled water for it's purity and then allow algae to grow in it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (which regulates bottled water) has not set any limitation to the shelf life of bottled water. You may have noticed that most bottled water containers sold have a two-year expiration date. That is only used for stock rotation purposes. It does not mean the water will go bad if stored (properly) longer.
4) Keep in mind that you don't know where that bottle has been or how it was handled since leaving the bottling plant. Surface contamination is certainly a possibility. This means, wash the bottle off under a running facet before drinking it. Without being too graphic, and I'm sure every bottler will deny it, the fact is that rats, cockroaches and other undesirable creepy-crawlies may be scampering around on top of the bottles somewhere in their journey and storage between the bottler and your mouth!
5) Look for updates and independent studies. Just because a bottler is testing ok today does not mean their water always will be. Look for independent and credible sources like university studies. For example, the University of Iowa discovered(2) that (at the time they tested), Volvic Natural Spring Water contained 0.02 mg/L of Arsenic.
Home Bottling?

A case can be made for making your own "bottled" water at home. Bottled waters may sit on a shelf or in a warehouse for months and beyond. If exposed to sunlight, algae and other microorganisms may grow. Few bottled waters are sterilized and there is no chlorine present to inhibit bacterial growth. There is typically also less scrutiny of water bottlers than municipal water suppliers. Anyone receiving water from a municipal water supply can see the most recent test results and any violations by going to this page and entering their zip code,http://q5w.linkybank.com. I have not heard of any water bottlers that allow routine public access to their test results. A relatively inexpensive at home water purification system, ranging from the Britta and Pur brands for the facet or fridge, to the under sink or whole-house reverse-osmosis systems can produce water for you to fill your own clean bottles to take outside the home!

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