What's the big deal about spring water?

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Aug 30th 2007 2:50PM

I'm a tap water kind of gal, though I know some people who will only drink filtered or even spring water. I've often wondered if their unwavering loyalty to spring water is actually doing anything for them or if they're be better off drinking from the tap like me. The Beauty Brains fielded a questions about spring water recently, and here's what they had to say:

"The main problem with drinking that much spring water is that it will cost you a lot of money. It also creates a large amount of plastic waste so it is not a very environmentally conscious thing to do. You are much better off drinking tap water. The sad truth is many bottled water companies actually just take city tap water run it through a simple filter and call spring water."

What do you think? Will you still swear by your spring water, or will you do the environmentally friendly thing by switching to tap water?

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Comments (5)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kyle 8-30-2007 @ 3:07PM

Tap water also includes fluoride which many types of bottled water do not contain. Many communities have elected to add fluoride to drinking water to promote strong teeth and prevent tooth decay in residents.

meshell 8-30-2007 @ 3:16PM

I use a re-usable water bottle with an internal filter. Filters while you drink and no extra waste. It's also great for hiking, just refill with lake or stream water and you're good to go.

Trey 8-30-2007 @ 3:58PM

I've got a water softener and undersink filter, and I find that to be my favorite water. I don't not drink water, but I can definitely taste the difference between my water and regular tap. What's the difference you might ask? Water shouldn't 'taste' at all, it should just be refreshing and hydrating. I definitely agree that bottled water isn't worth the convenience or price when considering what hauling it around is costing our environment. Anyway, enough blabber. I like my soft filtered water. :)

paulina 8-30-2007 @ 4:07PM

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! That is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
wrong! Bottled water isn't wasteful if you recycle it! Then your taking the plastic that would have come to the snobs and recycle it! You know what? I am aware that we are trashing up this world for our children! Duh! Doesn't anyone realize that? It's all about "big busines" nowadays! Back when I was a young whippersnapper,the world wasn't trashed!

Desi 9-02-2007 @ 2:15PM

Never ever drink lake or spring water even if you have a so-called filter. Do you realize how many parasites there are in natural water bodies? Most of them come from intestinal tracts in animals. I am a wastewater engineer and see it every day. Then we you forget to wash your hands one day you transport the parasite onto another person. Those salt kits don't do anything either. Just no more spring water during hiking...please!

I use bottled jugs right now since my pipes are being worked on and the water tastes a bit odd. I drink tap at work though.