Spring water is popular among people who want a healthier and cleaner drinking water. Many bottled water home delivery services offer it in many bottle sizes for convenience as well. But is it really healthier than tap water? Studies don’t show any significant edge spring water has over tap water when it comes to health benefits. However, spring water does contain more natural minerals that can help some people or at least make spring water better-tasting for some. Let’s have a comparison.
Spring Water Vs Tap Water
What It Is?
Let’s first know what’s the source of each water type is.
Spring Water
According to FDA, spring water must come from an underground aquifer that flows naturally to the surface. Companies can also collect it through a borehole that taps the same aquifer.
Tap Water
Tap water is your municipal water. It can be pulled from various sources, like surface water or groundwater. It’s then treated and supplied to your homes.
There is also private well water that’s usually bored from or near the house. All of its testing and filtration responsibilities lie on the homeowner.
Safety and Regulation
Spring Water
Bottled water falls under the FDA, whose standards must be at least as protective as the EPA’s, but inspections are less frequent, and there’s no public reporting requirement. Usually, you need to trust the brand you’re buying.
As far as filtration is concerned, the brand has to make sure the water is clean yet has the elements that makes it spring water. So, it’s just filtered enough to ensure it doesn’t contain any contaminants, while the mineral content stays the same.
Tap Water
Here’s a surprising fact: tap water is actually tested more rigorously than bottled water… in most cases. How? Municipal water systems are required by the EPA to run regular tests. Large cities test hundreds of samples per month for bacteria alone, and every system has to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report. You can look yours up online for free.
Moreover, if there are any contaminants, you can install a water filter to remove them.
Taste
Spring Water
Spring water has a unique taste that’s difficult to find anywhere else. It’s due to the mineral content in spring water. However, for some people it’s doesn’t make any difference because some blind taste tests show people can’t reliably tell the difference.
Tap Water
The taste of tap water can vary from region to region as it depends on the water source, the chlorine or fluoride in the water added by the supplier, and any contaminants or minerals. Some people don’t like the chlorine taste in tap water, while some other don’t even notice it.
However, a bigger cause of concern is the possibility of contaminants that can change the water taste. In that case, have the water tested to avoid contaminated water.
Which One Is Healthier?
Spring Water
Spring water contains natural minerals like calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, but the amounts vary by source. However, the amount is not too huge to make a big nutritional impact.
Tap Water
Again, tap water mineral content varies by region. But about 70% of Americans get fluoridated water, which is usually preferred by some. Apart from that, tap could have impurities, for which you may have to use a water filtration system Warren.
Microplastics
Spring Water
Recent research has also showed high levels of microplastics in bottled water which can be a cause of concern for people who use bottled water. It’s also noted in reusable bigger jugs as well that are mounted onto dispensers.
Tap Water
Tap water usually doesn’t have as much levels of microplastics as bottled water. But this can differ by region. In some areas, tap water can have microplastics or other contaminants.
Environmental Impact
Tap water wins this one because:
- Americans go through tens of billions of plastic water bottles a year, and less than a third get recycled.
- Shipping water is incredibly inefficient — you’re trucking heavy bottles across the country for something that flows out of your wall.
- Spring extraction itself has sparked controversy in places like Michigan and California, where companies pump millions of gallons for minimal fees.
Cost
Spring Water
Bottled water is always expensive than tap water, so it will always be way more expensive than tap. In the realm of bottled water, though, spring water is cheaper than many other types like alkaline water, sparkling water, artesian water, etc.
Fun fact: Roughly two-thirds of bottled water sold in the U.S., including big names, is just purified municipal tap water. True spring water is actually a minority of the market.
Tap Water
Tap water wins this without any contest as it’s very, very low-cost compared to spring water or any type of bottled water.
So Which Type Of Water To Choose?
Use Spring Water If:
- You’re traveling, commuting, or on the go.
- You’re building an emergency supply.
- Your local tap water is genuinely bad (some rural systems and older industrial cities have real issues).
- Taste matters to you and the cost doesn’t bother you.
- You can’t or don’t want to install a water filtration system.
Use Tap Water If:
- You want to save serious money.
- You care about plastic waste.
- Your local water report is fine.
- You can install a water filter if required.
In a nutshell, for most Americans, tap water is safer than you’d think, dramatically cheaper, and far better for the planet. Spring water’s real advantages are taste and portability, not purity (even though it’s clean water). If you’re worried about your tap, don’t switch to bottles. Install a water filter and keep a few sealed bottles on hand for emergencies.
Conclusion
So, spring water does have minerals that tap water may or may not have depending on the region, but calling one healthier than the other may be far-fetched. Both offer hydration, which is what your body needs. Due to the low cost, tap water is preferred by most people, but if your tap water is bad or you live in a remote area, get in touch with a drinking water delivery service Meadville for spring water or any other type of water.
