Water 2.0 Bottled, Tap or Filtered – Which is The Safest?

Our planet, body and even brain is mostly water 70-80% approximately. But not all water is equal! We need fresh, non-sea water for our drinking, cooking and bathing purposes. Without proper water hydration in our bodies, we can’t perform at our peak levels, we look older, our skin becomes wrinkly and dry, we get dandruff and keep toxins inside of our body. So, water is important to our health as well as our life.

The type and quality of the water we drink and bathe in directly affects our performance, whether physical, mental or on the job. There are chemicals in some types of water that actually “dumb us down” when you drink it. It will cause you to be more sluggish and perform more poorly as well as still be thirsty after you drink it.

When it comes to the water we drink there are three main choices: Tap Water, Bottled Water, and Home Filtration Systems. Let’s look at each of the three and see the pro’s and con’s of each method.

Tap Water (The Most Common)

Tap water is the least expensive of all and some researchers say that it is no more harmful than bottled water for drinking purposes. But is that a true statement? Lets look at some of what is really in the tap water you may be drinking:

Pros of Tap Water

Least expensive source of water
Removes most harmful pathogens
Softens water – making it more alkaline
Balances PH level
Removes some contaminants

Cons of Tap Water:

Fluoride (dangerous chemical – leads to lethargy, parkinsons and tooth decay – you read this right!)
Chlorine (dangerous chemical – causes asthma, allergies, rashes and brain damage)
Pharmaceuticals (dangerous chemicals – depends on the drug in the water)
Pesticides, Fungicides, Herbicides (Kills cells bad and good – leads to digestion and brain problems)
Calcium (excess calcium leads to arthritis, atherosclerosis, tumors and osteoporosis)
Lead (dangerous heavy metal – poison to the nervous system)
Plastics (harmful chemicals in some plastics lead to cancer and tumors)
Bacteria (some bacteria are harmful and lead to illness)
Heavy Metals (brain and nervous system poisoning)
Tastes pretty bad in most areas
You still need a container to travel with

Bottled Water

Bottled Water comes in many shapes, sizes, tastes and purity levels. Is it really better than tap water for drinking? Let’s look at the pro’s and con’s of most bottled water (they will all vary according to manufacturer):

Pros of Bottled Water:

Greater Filtration than tap water
More control over quality
Greater convenience – take it you anywhere
You can get it delivered
Taste is much better

Cons of Bottled Water:

Up to 500% more expensive
Causes environmental damage due to processing and trucking of water
Added plastic molecules into the water
Leaves some pharmaceuticals
Leaves some heavy metals
Leaves some fluoride
Leaves some chlorine
Leaves some heavy metals
Removes some necessary minerals making it more acidic

Kiosk or Water Store

Your local water store or roadside kiosk. Is their water any better than tap or bottled? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the water store:

Pros of the Water Store or Kiosk Systems:

Removes almost all pathogens
Removes almost all pharmaceuticals
Removes almost all pesticides
Removes almost all heavy metals
Removes almost all fluoride
Removes almost all chlorine
Tastes really good

Cons of Water Store or Kiosk Systems:

You have to travel to get it and bring your own bottle (Gas $$)
Can be inconvenient at times, as you are dependent on their hours
Quality levels vary, depending on filter checks and whether a kiosk or actual store
Can remove all minerals making it more acidic (some have alkalizing balancing)

Brita, Pur and Mavea type home pitcher filtration systems

Brita , Pur , Mavea and other pitcher type home filtration systems need no installation. You just pour tap water into the top of a pitcher and water will be filtered by a carbon filter, which traps large particles from entering the drinking water. Is this any better than the other sources of water?

Pros of Brita Water

Relatively inexpensive
Traps large particles from entering drinking water
Filters some of the chlorine out of the water
Filters some of the calcium out of the water
Makes it taste a little better, but not much

Cons of Brita Water

Does not remove Fluoride
Does not remove Chlorine
Does not remove heavy metals
Does not remove all toxins
Does not remove pharmaceuticals
Does not taste very good
You still need a container to travel with

Home Filtration Systems & Reverse Osmosis

Now let’s look at home filtration systems. Reverse Osmosis Systems are by far the best, followed by triple filter systems . Is it worth it to do it myself? Here are the pro’s and con’s of DIY home filtration systems for water purification:

Pros of Home Filtration Systems:

Removes almost all pathogens
Removes almost all pharmaceuticals
Removes almost all pesticides
Removes almost all heavy metals
Removes almost all fluoride
Removes almost all chlorine
Removes almost all PVC and plastic molecules
Tastes really good

Cons of Home Filtration Systems:

More expensive at first (gets less expensive as you use it)
You still need a container to take it with you if you travel
Can remove all minerals making it more acidic (some have alkalizing balancing)

Conclusion:

If you have the money a full home filtration system is the best for you and your family’s health. Next best is going to your local water store or kiosk., Followed by bottled, and next Brita and last but not least tap water, unless you live in Yosemite where the tap is better than all of the above! Here they are in order:

Home Filtration System (Unless you live near a natural spring or water source like Yosemite)
Water Store
Water Kiosk
Bottled
Brita
Tap

Get the best you can, and at the very least DO NOT DRINK THE TAP! Don’t let your local water district do it for you, if they start cutting their budgets, then it will get even worse. You don’t need to count on them! I’d recommend a commercial grade water purification system for your house if you really can. If gas prices get too high you will be even smarter not having to go out to get your water. This is one of the best health decisions you could possibly make!