Bottled Water Vs Filtered Water: What’s The Difference?

We all have heard that you should drink more water throughout the day. And this suggestion is not restricted to only doctors. Still, you can listen to the same in beauty advertisements, food advertisements, etc. This clearly shows how important water is for our bodies.

Every cell of our body needs water to function. When we don’t drink enough water, the cells cannot fulfill their function correctly, resulting in the malfunctioning of our bodies.

You might have noticed that when you consume significantly less water throughout the day, you feel tired and don’t feel like doing anything.

Drinking helps you stay active throughout the day. Still, it also allows you to overcome anxiety and stress from the excessive workload in a day.

This article will discuss two prevalent forms of water, i.e., bottled water and filtered water, that are readily available to the public.

Bottled and filtered water has advantages, and disadvantages based on their requirements. The article will also discuss the topics in detail and determine their differences.

What is Bottled Water?

What is Bottled Water?

Several countries, like Mexico, Bhutan, Nepal, etc., do not have safe drinking water.

Chemicals and disease-causing microorganisms are the most common contaminants in a water body. According to FDA, the United States has better drinking water quality than several other countries.

The environmental protection agency is responsible for identifying groundwater or tap water contaminants while guiding the water quality and standards.

Everyone has come across bottled water in malls, marts, shops, etc. due to the increased contamination in the water bodies, people have started opting the bottled water more often.

These bottled waters are convenient, substitute for other beverages, provide health benefits, and enhance the taste. Different brands serve different uses. It is always recommended that whenever you buy bottled water, make sure that you have read all the components of the water.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water safety; the guidelines are set in association with the Environment Protection Agency to make the water safe for the population. The cost of bottled water varies depending on the benefits and brand of a product.

According to a few reports, bottled water has also resulted in a sporadic outbreak. To solve this issue, the Food and Drug Administration has asked bottle companies to adhere to the guidelines strictly. The primary aim of the bottled water companies is listed below:

  • Preventing the contamination.
  • Protecting the bottled water during storage as well as while transporting.
  • Manufacturing the good products.
  • Properly treating the water during the manufacturing process.

Why is Bottled Water Healthy For Diseased People?

Why is Bottled Water Healthy For Diseased People?

People with weak immune systems must take additional precautions while purchasing bottled water. They should always verify the treatment the manufacturing company uses against the Cryptosporidium parasite.

The parasite generally causes severe illness and life-threatening conditions for people having weak immune systems.

People suffering from diseases like human immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, cancer ( especially among people going through chemotherapy), organ transplantation, etc. should also take precautions while drinking bottled water.

It is recommended that if the bottled manufacturing company uses a distillation process, filtration with 1 Micron filter, and Reverse Osmosis process to make other products, it is entirely safe for the weak immune system to consume the water.

Every individual or buyer must read the ingredients and the additional precautions written on the packaging to be an informed consumer.

People suffering from neurological disorders, reproductive problems, gastrointestinal problems, and pregnant women should consult their doctor about the water type or quality.

What is Filtered Water?

What is Filtered Water?

In today’s world, nearly 90% of people with access to water prefer to filter their tap water. It has become a common practice in households to protect their loved ones from getting ill or diseased.

The home filtered water systems are very affordable, and various options are available in the market. It creates a balance between affordability and healthfulness, which is why people prefer to opt for bottled water.

The water system is much more affordable and is a onetime investment in health and choosing better quality water.

Several treatment technologies are available in the market to remove the contaminants and other chemicals like chloride and fluoride in the water. The majority of water filters prefer four types of installation processes. These are listed down below:

Distillation Process

This process is done when the water is boiled for 20 minutes and turns into steam. This team is collected in a container and condensed back into the water or liquid form.

The contaminants get converted into a liquid state, and the contaminants get trapped while boiling. This system’s main disadvantage is that the pollutants or the disease-causing microorganisms can sometimes get transferred to the collecting container.

Lon Exchange

This is one of the most common filtration methods used in the household. The cations and anions are used to exchange the unhealthy toxins from the water to demineralize and soften the water.

This process is generally used when the water in the locality is not feasible to drink.

Reverse Osmosis

This is also one of the most common filtration methods used in the household. The membrane adds several additional nutrients and minerals to make the water healthy and enhance the taste. In this process, the membrane filters protect the passing of chemical contaminants and disease-causing microorganisms at the molecular level.

Activated Carbon Filter

According to the environmental protection agency, the activated carbon filter uses activated carbon that attracts the contaminants and does not allow them to flow further.

This removes the metals and the visible sediments from the water. The disadvantage of this process is that it might not remove the arsenic and bacteria from the water.

The other main reason people generally prefer the water filter is the removal of chlorine added by the municipality department to kill the germs. Sometimes the chlorine content is too much, requiring people to filter it again to prevent long-term health problems.

Whatever water filter you choose is entirely your choice, but be an informed consumer and ask questions whenever you purchase them.

Whenever you pick a water filter in the market, ensure you have read all the product descriptions. Make sure you focus on the physical-chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants the water filter can remove. Clear this confusion with the salesperson.

A very budget-friendly water filtration process is to boil the water for around 1 to 3 minutes. Boiling removes the disease-causing microorganisms from the tap water, making it feasible to drink.

Bottled Water Vs Filtered Water

Till now, we have already read about bottled water and filtered water in detail. The above sections had all the information about bottled water and filtered water and why they are required in this industrial world. This section will differentiate between two processes based on advantages and disadvantages.

1. The cost

Bottled water is cheaper than filtering water equipment because you don’t have to invest much in installation and maintenance. But the filtration system is a onetime investment where you don’t have to repurchase it and worry about reading the components.

To buy a bottle of water, you must continuously purchase the product. So it will cost you a lot of time and money as well.

A filtration system needs maintenance and electrical charges, but it is always a better option than bottled water. You will get to know more about why in the upcoming sections.

2. Convenience

The feasibility of bottled water is much more convenient than the filtered water system. You can easily take it to your home or the offices, but it is not so in the case of the filtration process.

But to overcome this issue, you can invest in a good bottle. It saves a considerable amount of money and also protects the environment.

3. The Role of an Informed Consumer

Whenever you buy a brand, you have to look at the component repeatedly, especially if you have a weak immune system or are suffering from a chronic disease. But this is not the same in the case of a filtration system.

After you analyze a filtration system or clear all your questions from the company, you will not have to re-read anything. Companies or their customer support do the maintenance, so you don’t have to spend much time reading and verifying the information.

4. The Environment

Bottled water is not environmentally friendly because you always have to buy and discard plastic bottles. It is not beneficial for the environment. Also, there is no other option for the company because the water is generally sold in plastic bottles, which is a cost-effective process for the company and the consumers.

In the case of a filtration system, you can easily invest some amount in a good water bottle and take it with you anywhere you go. In this way, you are saving money and also protecting the environment in some way.

5. The Microplastics

There is not much research in this sector, but every research outcome has the same results. According to several researchers, microplastic will be a significant concern in the future because of the excessive use of plastic in packaging food.

Accumulation of microplastics in one’s body can result in chronic diseases in the future, especially in older adults. So it is better to invest in good and environmentally friendly water than bottled water. It is entirely ok to use them occasionally, but consuming them daily can result in harsh outcomes.

6. The Additional Benefits

The main advantage is that it is readily available in the comfort of your home, and you don’t have to go anywhere to buy water.

The filtration process adds several nutrients and minerals to the water, which are healthy for the human body. On the other hand, in the case of bottled water, every brand offers different benefits, so you have to read the packaging every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still, have questions? Do not worry. We have answered all your queries here! It is okay to have questions, and we are happy to answer them for you.

What type of water has much variety?

An obvious answer to this question is that bottled water has wide varieties because you will not find taste options in filtration equipment. In the case of bottled water, several flavored drinks are available on the market.
The different brands always try to provide the best products to their consumers, which is why they have come up with plenty of flavors in the market that will enhance the taste and add minerals and nutrients that benefit your body.
On the other hand, filtration equipment has several variations, but they cannot provide you with flavors. They only give plain and healthy drinking water.

What is much more pocket friendly? Bottled water or filtered water?

Filtered water or buying equipment is a one-time investment, which means you don’t have to invest in any equipment. People can use filtered water in everything they do, like cooking. Still, they cannot use bottled water every time they cook. 
Filtration equipment is much more pocket friendly. It may cost maintenance charges or electricity bills, but it is much more beneficial than bottled water.

What is the significant difference between bottled water and filtered water?

This article has clearly explained every difference between the water types. In short,  filtered water is much more affordable,  feasible, and accessible because you don’t have to go out every time to buy a water bottle. 
Furthermore, bottled water comes in a plastic bottle which is not environmentally friendly. On the other hand,   filtration equipment can be used in homes, and you can always take your reusable water bottles with you.

Conclusion

We all know that water is a body requirement, and we cannot survive without water. Organizations all around the globe have several guidelines which clearly state the pH level, amount of nutrition, and minerals required in the water, making it a healthy option to drink.

Several countries don’t have access to safe drinking water, so bottled water is available in the market to overcome this issue. Bottled water and filtered water are among the two options.

We hope the article has cleared all your confusion regarding the types and helped you to make a proper decision.

Before concluding, ensure you have fulfilled all the criteria to be an informed consumer by knowing about the company, brand, and types of bottled water or equipment in the market.

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