That's the short answer to; what is the difference between bottled water and tap water. Not much. Let me explain why.
The majority of the companies use someone's tap-water. It might not be yours, but it's coming from somewhere.
In a small number of cases, the companies own their own wells. These are the ones that are allowed to use the term "spring-water" on their labels, even though, they are not technically springs, which is an area where groundwater comes to the surface.
So, in terms of quality, you can see that the answer to; what is the difference between bottled water and tap water is not much. But, there are other points to consider.
Most companies use some method to further purify the water that they put in the bottle. Reverse osmosis is the popular choice, but if chemicals are present in the supply, they are not removed through that process.
As a case in point, there was an incident were Dasani was recalled in the UK and never re-released. The government had found high levels of bromate in the tested bottles. They forced the recall, because bromate is a known human carcinogen that cannot be removed through reverse osmosis.
Europe can ill afford to allow the Coca-cola bottling company, makers of Dasani, to pull water out of their aquifers, anyway. Their groundwater is being used at a faster rate than it can be replenished. That brings up another question.
What is the difference between bottled water and tap water in terms of water-usage?
When you drink tap-water, you are only using what you consume. In order to produce a one liter bottle and the plastic it is composed of, the bottled-water industry uses between 3 and 6.74 liters of freshwater. The world cannot afford that kind of waste.
In terms of energy usage, you are not using oil or electricity when you drink tap-water, unless you have a reverse osmosis system in your home, which requires electricity to operate. In 2006, the bottled-water industry used more than 17 million barrels of oil and large amounts of electricity. But, getting back to quality for a moment, here's another question.
What is the difference between bottled water and tap water, when you have an energy efficient selective filtration device on your kitchen faucet?
When a selective filtration device is used, all of the chemical contaminants present in our supplies are removed. Things like lead and cysts are removed as well. The taste is enhanced, through the addition of potassium and sodium, as well as the removal of chlorine.
So, the quality of home filtered tap-water is actually better than bottled, in terms of taste and healthfulness. Of course, not all filters are the same. Some only remove chlorine, so you must shop carefully. The complete answer to; what is the difference between bottled water and tap water would fill a book. But, I think you get the idea.
Larry Fletcher is an avid proponent of water purification and a passionate researcher on its health benefits. To get the facts on how to choose the best water purification system, visit http://www.pure-and-safe-water.com now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles

A shower purifier is an important way to protect your health and beauty. But, there are lots of shower purifiers on the market and most of them are not that effective.
The chlorine in shower water is damaging to your skin and hair. Initially, shower purifiers were primarily promoted by the cosmetic industry. Beauty experts advised models and actors to invest in them. Now, dermatologists recommend them, as well, particularly to older patients.
Excessive dryness causes increasing damage to the skin as one gets older. It plays a role in lost firmness and elasticity. The skin needs moisture to be healthy. Chlorination dehydrates the skin, causing itching and flaking.
But, there is another reason that you need a shower purifier. More and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that exposure to cancer-causing chlorination byproducts is excessive when showering.
So, it's not just the chlorine in shower water that's a problem. It's the byproducts. Most shower purifiers only reduce chloramines. They do nothing to remove the byproducts, which are called THMs.
You see, the chlorine in shower water can be easily and cheaply removed with granular activated carbon. But, it's a little harder to remove THMs. Effective shower purifiers include the necessary media to trap them.
A THM is odorless, but it becomes airborne when you are showering. When you inhale these compounds, along with the steam, they quickly enter your blood stream. Researchers can measure the increased blood levels.
Once the THM hits your blood stream, it must be disposed of, since it is a toxin. Our livers and kidneys filter toxins from our blood stream. They are disposed of through the urine. In the bladder, some of the toxins become trapped, particularly if you are not drinking enough purified water. Those toxins double your risk of bladder cancer.
So, chlorine in shower water is bad, but THMs are worse. A shower purifier should also remove lead and copper. Copper and chlorine in shower water interact to change the color of the hair and stain your fixtures.
A shower purifier should remove lead, because it can be absorbed through the skin, where it enters the bloodstream and gets stored I the organs. If you are concerned about your present and long-term health, you will compare product performance data and look for an effective system.
Other considerations include your respiratory health. Chlorine-vapors irritate the respiratory tract and triggers asthma attacks. It causes sinus problems and is a common indoor air pollutant. Some shower purifiers do not effectively reduce chlorine. Again, you have to compare performance data.
The most expensive product on the market is a waste of money at over $200. The best system on the market costs around $67. The manufacturer offers a package deal when you buy a kitchen counter top or under the counter unit and a shower purifier at the same time. For less than $200, you can completely protect yourself from the hazards in our water supply.
Larry Fletcher is an avid proponent of water purification and a passionate researcher on its health benefits. To get the facts on how to choose the best water purification system, visit http://www.pure-and-safe-water.com now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles