Tap, bottled or filtered water? | what to take note of

Is filtered water better for you than tap water or bottled water? What are the advantages of drinking filtered vs bottled water? What health concerns do bottled waters have?

Today, we decided to compare the three and we have adopted a more scientific approach to answer these questions.

Tap Water – Pros & Cons

Safe To Drink

The quality of Singapore’s tap water is well within the requirements set by Singapore’s Environmental Public Health (Water Suitable for Drinking) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Our tap water is suitable to drink straight from the tap.

So Singaporeans are aware that tap water is “clean and safe to drink”, said Erny Kartolo, one of the founders of the Drink Wise, Drink Tap campaign. “But the surroundings of the tap … affect their perception of the tap water” – (Channelnewsasia 2019)

Taste

In blind taste tests, most people cannot tell the difference between tap water and bottled water. It is said that only about 30% of sample sizes were able to distinguish between bottled water and tap water.

Even if some tap waters may not taste as pleasant as bottled waters, it does not mean that the tap water is of poor quality. It may simply be due to chlorination or a higher mineral content.

Cost

Tap water is accessible and inexpensive, and it’s safe and refreshing (all you have to do is pay for your monthly water expenses). To obtain tasty and healthy drinking water, simply twist on a faucet.

While Singapore’s tap water is healthy to consume, many health-conscious customers consider bottled water – ranging from alkaline to oxygenated water – to have additional health benefits.

Bottled Water – Pros & Cons

Safety & Taste

Bottled water is generally safe to consume, but in rare circumstances, it may be recalled because to contamination. One cause for concern is the presence of plastic in bottled water. According on research, the majority of bottled waters include microplastics that may be harmful to human health.

Microplastics appear to be a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affect human, animal, and marine metabolism, reproduction, oxidative stress, and a variety of other health metrics..

Bottled water may be preferred by a few individuals. However, as previously said, studies have shown that the majority of consumers are unable to distinguish between tap and bottled water.

Cost

In terms of costing, bottled water is definitely more expensive than tap water.

Another reason that people choose bottled water over tap water despite the price difference may be that it is more convenient to have a bottle on hand when out and about — especially if there is no access to a faucet.

People may want to think about the source when buying bottled water. A lot of bottled water is simply tap water that has been filtered.

Filtered Water – Pros & Cons

Eco-Friendly Option

“Going bottle-less is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly choice”

The dispensers are focused on energy and time efficiency since they eliminate the need for transporting, storing, and disposing of bottles. This results in a carbon footprint 72 percent lower than conventional bottles while also eliminating the usage of single-use ocean-polluting plastics.

Purified Water Guaranteed

There are several water dispensers in Singapore that have a thorough filtration system that can reduce 99.9% of pathogenic bacteria and viruses and eliminate dangerous pollutants.

This guarantees that consumers are receiving safe drinking water.

Easy To Use

Let’s just say that running a water dispenser isn’t as complicated as it appears. The operation is the same as with conventional faucets, and all you have to do is push the button or adjust the lever to obtain water.

Easy Maintenance

Water dispensers only need to be cleaned once a month and the bottle changed as needed. If you are not using a bottled water dispenser, then getting your supplier to change your filter every now and then will do the job.

The number of individuals who use it, as well as how often it is utilised, has an influence on cleaning needs. Clean your water dispenser more frequently if you have a water dispenser that is used by many on a daily basis.

Issues With Refrigerator Filters

While there is trend to rely on the in built water dispenser in refrigerators, there is one down side to that.

Waterborne germs can cause as many as many illnesses annually (as seen in the United States), and these organisms require fungus and moisture to survive – two factors that may be found in your refrigerator.

Essentially, poor food storage in refrigeration are causes of food borne illnesses, and your in built water dispenser is no exception.

Drink Contaminant Free Water

All in all with a water dispenser, you have to worry less about contaminants and bacteria.

Your water is not stagnant so it does not pick up any odours or tastes from the refrigerator itself, and it is an eco-friendly option; which no use of plastic.