Many people believe bottled water is safer than tap water. I’ve bought into this too, but it often isn’t true. Municipal water supplies are tested every day for disease-causing microbes and chemicals. Bottled water, which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration rather than the Environmental Protection Agency, may or may not be tested, ever. Besides, many bottled waters are tap water. According to the American Dietetic Association, 85 % of bottled water is municipal water, which has been filtered to take out local taste and odor and a big up charge slapped on it, which we pay.
At the definitive bottled water site, you will find extensive information on bottled water, including regulations, definitions, and resources.
Also, water bottled from municipal water supplies must be clearly labeled as such. The requirement is dropped if municipal water was used but was processed and treated so that it could be labeled as “distilled” or “purified” water.