Tap Water vs Purified Water: Which Is Safer

Is Tap Water or Purified Water Better?

Tap water in the U.S. can contain over 200 detectable contaminants, and many EPA standards have not been updated in more than 20 years. Bottled water is not necessarily safer -- up to 25% is repackaged tap water, and it costs families $1,200 to $2,400 per year. A home filtration system provides the safest, most affordable purified water at every faucet for a fraction of the cost of bottled water.

Tap water in the United States can contain more than 200 detectable contaminants, including chlorine, lead, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. While it meets the EPA's minimum standards, many of those standards haven't been updated for numerous substances in over 20 years. Purified water from a home filtration system is the safest, most affordable, and most practical option for your family.

What's Really in Your Tap Water

Municipal water goes through treatment plants that remove dangerous bacteria and pathogens. That's the good news. The bad news is what they let through.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) database, tap water in the United States contains on average:

• Chlorine and chloramines: used for disinfection, but they create cancer-causing byproducts (trihalomethanes)
• Lead: leaches from old pipes, especially in homes built before 1986
• PFAS: the "forever chemicals" present in the water of more than 200 million people
• Nitrates: from agricultural fertilizers
• Hexavalent chromium: the contaminant made famous by the movie Erin Brockovich, detected in 75% of water supplies
• Microplastics: recent studies find them in virtually all tap water

The EPA regulates only 90 contaminants. But more than 300 have been detected in the country's drinking water. The ones that aren't regulated simply have no legal limit, which doesn't mean they're safe.

Bottled Water: Not What You Think

Many families buy bottled water believing it's purer. The reality is quite different:

Regulation: The FDA regulates bottled water with standards that in many cases are equal to or less strict than the EPA's standards for municipal water. Some studies have found that up to 25% of bottled water is simply repackaged tap water.

Contaminants: Independent testing has detected microplastics, PFAS, and other contaminants in popular bottled water brands.

Cost: A family of 4 that buys bottled water spends between $1,200 and $2,400 per year. That's an enormous expense for water that isn't necessarily any better.

Environmental impact: The United States uses more than 50 billion plastic bottles per year. Only 30% get recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or the ocean, where it takes up to 450 years to decompose.

Purified Water at Home: The Best Option

A filtration system installed in your home gives you purified water straight from the faucet. No bottles, no trips to the store, no plastic.

Advantages Over Tap Water

• Removes chlorine and its taste/smell
• Reduces lead, PFAS, and other contaminants depending on the type of system
• Fresh water every time you turn on the faucet
• Protects the whole family, including the water you cook and bathe with

Advantages Over Bottled Water

• Much more affordable: a filtration system costs a fraction of the annual bottled water expense
• Zero plastic: you eliminate thousands of bottles per year
• More convenient: purified water available 24 hours a day at every faucet
• More reliable: you control the quality, not a bottling company

Annual Cost Comparison

| Option | Annual Cost (family of 4) | Guaranteed Quality |

|---|---|---|

| Tap water (unfiltered) | $300 – $600 | No |

| Bottled water | $1,200 – $2,400 | Variable |

| Pitcher filter | $75 – $150 + water cost | Partial |

| Home filtration system | $150 – $300 (maintenance) | Yes |

The filtration system has an upfront installation cost, but after that, annual maintenance is minimal compared to the alternatives. In most cases, it pays for itself in the first year once you stop buying bottled water.

What About Pitcher Filters

Pitcher filters like Brita or PUR are better than nothing, but they have significant limitations:

• Limited capacity: they filter only a few contaminants (mainly chlorine and taste)
• Don't remove PFAS, lead, or heavy metals in most models
• Only filter drinking water: your family is still showering, cooking, and washing with unfiltered water
• Require frequent cartridge changes: if you don't replace them on time, they can release accumulated contaminants back into the water
• Small volume: filling a pitcher every time you need water isn't practical for a family

Why Your Whole House Matters

When you think about contaminated water, you probably think about what you drink. But exposure happens through multiple pathways:

• Inhalation in the shower: hot steam releases chlorine and volatile organic compounds that you breathe in directly
• Skin absorption: your skin absorbs contaminants during bathing, especially with hot water
• Cooking: contaminants don't disappear when you boil water; some actually become more concentrated
• Washing fruits and vegetables: tap water transfers contaminants to your food

A whole-house purification system protects you at every point of contact, not just the kitchen faucet.

How to Find Out What's in Your Water

The first step is knowing exactly what your home's water contains. You can:

1. Review the annual report from your municipal water provider (Consumer Confidence Report)

2. Look up your zip code in the EWG database (ewg.org/tapwater)

3. Request a professional water test for data specific to your home

The most accurate option is a professional test because water quality can change between the treatment plant and your faucet, especially if your home has older pipes.

Check out our service territories to see if a specialist is available in your area. And if you have questions about different types of contaminants or filtration systems, our frequently asked questions section has clear, straightforward answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tap water safe to drink in the United States?

U.S. tap water meets EPA minimum legal standards, but those standards only cover 90 contaminants out of more than 300 that have been detected in drinking water. Many regulations have not been updated in over 20 years. Water that is technically legal may still contain contaminants at levels that modern science considers unsafe for long-term health.

Is bottled water safer than tap water?

Not necessarily. The FDA regulates bottled water with standards that are often equal to or less strict than EPA standards for tap water. Studies have found that up to 25% of bottled water is simply repackaged tap water, and independent testing has detected microplastics and PFAS in popular brands.

How much money can you save by switching from bottled water to a home filtration system?

A family of four spending $1,200 to $2,400 per year on bottled water can switch to a home filtration system with annual maintenance costs of just $150 to $300. That saves $900 to $2,100 per year after the initial installation, and most systems pay for themselves within the first year.

Do Brita and pitcher filters remove all contaminants?

No. Pitcher filters primarily remove chlorine and improve taste, but most models do not remove PFAS, lead, or heavy metals. They also only filter drinking water, leaving your family exposed to contaminants through showering, cooking, and washing. A whole-house system protects every point of use.

Can you absorb contaminants through your skin in the shower?

Yes. Hot water opens your pores and converts chlorine and volatile organic compounds into steam that you breathe in directly. Studies show that a 10-minute hot shower can expose you to more chlorine than drinking two liters of the same water. This is why whole-house filtration is important, not just a kitchen faucet filter.

Request your free water test and find out in minutes what contaminants are reaching your kitchen faucet. No cost and no obligation.