The question of whether tap water or bottled water is the better choice concerns many people. At first glance, bottled mineral water seems purer and healthier, but on closer inspection, there are some surprising facts. In this article, we compare both options in terms of costs, environmental friendliness, health, and convenience to find out which is really the better choice for you and your family.
Costs: Bottled water is significantly more expensive
When it comes to costs, tap water clearly has the advantage. In Germany, a liter of tap water costs on average less than 0.01 euros. Bottled water, on the other hand, varies greatly in price – depending on the brand and origin, you can pay between 0.30 € and 0.70 € for a liter of mineral water. This means that bottled water can be up to 700 times more expensive than tap water.
Example calculation: A family of four who drinks 2 liters of water per person daily spends about 30 euros annually on tap water, while the costs for bottled water can exceed 1,000 euros. The difference is therefore significant.
Environmental friendliness: Tap water is more sustainable
Bottled water is often marketed as particularly "pure," but its environmental footprint tells a different story. The production of plastic bottles consumes enormous amounts of resources, including petroleum and water. Added to this is the transport, as many bottled water brands deliver their water over long distances. This causes CO₂ emissions that are avoided when using tap water.
Another problem is the plastic bottles themselves. Even though many PET bottles are recycled, millions of them end up in the environment or incineration plants every year. Tap water, on the other hand, comes directly from the tap without packaging or transport routes and is therefore clearly the more sustainable option.
Health: Bottled water is not always better
Many people believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water, but that is not always true. Tap water in Germany is subject to strict controls and is regularly tested for contaminants. The Drinking Water Ordinance ensures that tap water meets high quality standards. Bottled water is also tested, but studies show that it is not automatically cleaner or better than tap water.
In fact, some tests have found microplastic residues in bottled water that come from the plastic packaging. Additionally, bottled water often contains minerals in amounts that are not necessarily optimal for daily consumption. Tap water can be further purified and tailored to individual needs through water filters, making it a flexible and safe option.
Convenience: Tap water is unbeatable in comfort
Another advantage of tap water is its constant availability. You don’t have to carry heavy crates or keep space in your kitchen for water supplies. The trip to the supermarket to get more bottled water is unnecessary – with tap water, you have access to fresh drinking water around the clock.
With a high-quality water filter, you can further improve the quality of your tap water. Filters like those from Carbonit reliably remove contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, and microplastics, so you can enjoy pure, fresh water directly from the tap – effortlessly.
Taste: Personal preference counts
Regarding taste, some people prefer lightly sparkling mineral water or the special taste of spring water. However, tap water can also have a good taste depending on the region. If you find the taste of tap water less appealing, you can improve it with a water filter. Activated carbon filters, for example, remove chlorine and other substances that can affect the taste.
For fans of sparkling water, there is also the option to carbonate tap water yourself with a soda maker – so you always have the choice between still and sparkling water without having to buy bottles.
Conclusion: What is really better?
When considering all factors, tap water is the better choice in most cases. It is significantly cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and subject to strict quality controls. Bottled water generally offers no significant health advantage but comes with high costs and a burdensome environmental footprint. With a water filter, you can further optimize the quality of your tap water and ensure you always have clean, tasty water available.
For a sustainable, cost-effective, and healthy lifestyle, tap water – combined with a high-quality filter – is the optimal solution. Bottled water can be practical in certain situations, but in everyday life, tap water clearly has the edge. Try it out and experience how easy and convenient it is to enjoy pure water directly from the tap every day!
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