The question of whether tap water or bottled water is the better choice is one that many people are wondering about. At first glance, bottled water seems to be purer and healthier, but upon closer inspection, there are some surprising facts. In this post, we compare both options in terms of cost, 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 cost, tap water is clearly ahead. 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 is up to 700 times more expensive than tap water.
Example calculation : A family of four who drink 2 litres of water per person per day spends around 30 euros per year on tap water, while the cost of bottled water can be over 1,000 euros. The difference is therefore significant.
Environmental friendliness: tap water is more sustainable
Bottled water is often marketed as being particularly "pure", but its environmental impact is different. The production of plastic bottles consumes enormous amounts of resources, including oil and water. In addition, there is the transport, as many bottled water brands deliver their water over long distances. This causes CO₂ emissions that are eliminated 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 in waste incineration plants every year. Tap water, on the other hand, comes straight from the tap, without packaging or transport, 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 residues of microplastics in bottled water, which come from the plastic packaging. In addition, bottled water often contains minerals in quantities that are not necessarily optimal for daily consumption. Tap water can be further purified by water filters and adapted to individual needs, making it a flexible and safe option.
Convenience: Tap water is unbeatably convenient
Another advantage of tap water is its constant availability. You don't have to lug heavy boxes around or keep space in your kitchen for water supplies. There's no need to go to the supermarket to get more bottled water - with tap water you have access to fresh drinking water around the clock.
With a high-quality water filter, you can improve the quality of your tap water even further. Filters like those from Carbonit reliably remove pollutants such as chlorine, heavy metals and microplastics, so you can enjoy pure, fresh water straight from the tap - without any effort.
Taste: Personal preference counts
In terms of taste, some people prefer the slightly sparkling mineral water or the special taste of spring water. However, depending on the region, tap water can also have a good taste. If you find the taste of tap water less appealing, you can improve it by using 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 of adding carbon dioxide to tap water yourself using a carbonator – so you always have the choice between still and sparkling water without having to buy bottles.
Conclusion: What is really better?
When you consider 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 benefits, but is expensive and has a negative environmental impact. With a water filter, you can further optimize the quality of your tap water and ensure that 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 may be practical in certain situations, but in everyday life, tap water is clearly the better choice. Try it out and experience how easy and convenient it is to enjoy pure water straight from the tap every day!
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