What Are The Different Types Of Water
The water we all consume generally comes from private wells, municipal water systems, or natural springs. Each of these sources will contain a unique amount of dissolved minerals, bacteria, and other microscopic content that makes the water distinct. It’s worth noting that much of our drinking water is treated to affect pH balance, remove potential pathogens, and improve taste. Each water source whether it be a natural spring or municipal system offers a unique mineral profile.
Choosing a non-toxic water bottle for your clean water is equally as important, such as borosilicate glass. Water vessels made of high quality materials that are resistant to chemicals and heat is an important alternative to lower-quality glass or plastic bottles.
Here are some common types of drinking water and the differences between them:
Tap Water
Tap water is the water you draw straight from the faucet. It is sourced from nearby dams, rivers, and reservoirs, and it gets to your tap by traveling through a network of pipelines. Tap water is used for most household purposes, including cleaning, cooking, and washing, and it is the most common type of water consumed in American households.
Research shows that the majority of plastic bottled water on the market is simply repackaged tap water these companies often use predatory marketing tactics with buzzwords like natural water and pure water.
Mineral Water
Spring Water, Glacier Water, or Raw Water
Sparkling Water
Purified Water
Distilled Water
Best Pitcher: Pur Classic 11 Cup Water Filter
Why We Like It: This NSF certified pitcher removes contaminants, can fit in your fridge, and is dishwasher safe.
It’s Worth Noting: The filter needs to be replaced every two monthsâmore frequent than any other product on this list.
If you’re looking for an easy way to filter your water without the hassle of installing a filtration system, a pitcher might be a great option. We like that this one from Pur is an NSF certified filter, so we can be sure that it is a trustworthy product that removes the contaminants it says it does.
This filter is, above all else, convenient and easy to use. It has a stay-tight lid to help prevent spills, plus you can pour while the water is still filtering. The filter is also dishwasher safeâthis is an important feature, since bacteria can easily grow inside water filters.
The Pur filter holds 11 cups and can fit inside your fridge door. Changing the filter is also fairly easy, with an electronic filter replacement indicator lighting up when the filter needs to be swapped out. The filter needs to be replaced after 40 gallons, which typically takes around two months. Pitcher filters need to be changed more frequently than larger filters, such as those that go under the sink, so this can add up over time.
Price at time of publication: $55
Product Details:
- Filter Replacement Frequency: After 40 gallons or around every 2 months
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $143
- Capacity: 11 cups
- Additional Maintenance Required: Should be washed in dishwasher
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Best Water Bottle: Grayl Geopress 24 Oz Water Purifier Bottle
Why We Like It: This water bottle is the perfect companion for hiking and camping, removing viruses, bacteria, chemicals, particles, flavors, and odors.
It’s Worth Noting: This bottle is more expensive than other water filtering bottles, and not all parts are dishwasher safe.
A water bottle that both purifies your water and that is easy to carry is a must for every camping, hiking, or traveling trip. Plus, this one from Grayl is great to have on hand for a water emergency or natural disaster.
The Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle is a durable bottle that carries 24 ounces of water. It uses ion exchange and activated carbon to filter water, removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, particles such as microplastics or sediment, and heavy metals like lead or arsenic. It is also easy to useâall you have to do is fill your bottle and press down with the filter for 8 seconds, no chemicals, long waiting times, or bulky equipment required.
We really like how long the filter cartridge lasts: it only needs to be replaced every 350 presses or approximately 65 gallons of water. While there are cheaper water bottles with built-in filters, we believe the filtering capabilities of this model from Grayl separate it from the competition.
Price at time of publication: $100
Product Details:
A Simple Stainless Steel Bottle And Standard Lid: Hydro Flask Standard Mouth
Lids available: Flex Cap , Sport Cap, Flex Straw CapDishwasher safe: no
Get this if: You want a reliable and versatile water bottle. This is a simple bottle, best for those who believe in doing one thing and doing it well.
Why its great: The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth is especially reliable. Its an insulated, double-walled stainless steel water bottle with a powder-coated exterior and a plastic cap. Unlike aluminum bottles, this one wont dent easily. Unlike glass bottles, this bottle wont have issues with the bottom cracking. And unlike plastic bottles, it wont deteriorate quickly while in use.
You can use this bottle with three different lids: the Flex Cap , Sport Cap, and Flex Straw Cap. We tested the first two caps, and neither leaked, but we prefer the Flex Cap to the Sport Cap. Usually, sport caps arent great at accounting for human errorthe plastic can be very stiff and difficult to close with your mouth, so its easy to leave them halfway open. And if the bottle is lying on its side, water can occasionally leak through the air-intake valve.
Of the three sizes this bottle comes in, we think 21 ounces is the right capacity. This size is big enough to keep refills to a minimum but not as unwieldy as the 24-ounce bottle. The cap is BPA-free, and Hydro Flask offers a limited lifetime warranty on this bottle.
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Our Favorite Bottle For The Car: Camelbak Eddy+
Lids available:Straw , Chute Mag, Carry CapDishwasher safe: yes
Get this if: You want something thats easy to sip from while youre driving, or you want something that encourages you to drink water throughout the day .
Why its great: This bottle has an integrated straw in the lid that features a plastic bite valve to keep it sealed . Just bite down to open the straw and release to seal it shut. That leak-free lid makes this bottle an ideal driving companionit fits in a cupholder and is easy to sip from while youre keeping your eyes on the road. And if you transfer the bottle to a bag, the bite valve folds down into the lid, shielding it from too much contact with the bags contents.
Also, if you have daily hydration goals, theres something about a straw that makes it easy to mindlessly consume the 20, 30, or 40 ounces of water you may have ahead of you. If this sounds like you, the Eddy+ comes in a 32-ounce size, which would be easy to fill once, plop next to your laptop, and hit your goal for the day.
The straw lid twists off to reveal a wide mouth that makes adding ice to your drink easyhandy if you like to keep your water cold. However, this is a plastic bottle, so adding ice could also make it sweaty. If you want to avoid that, the insulated version should prevent moisture from accumulating on the outside of the bottle.
You can swap out lids with two others from CamelBak: the Carry Cap and the Chute Mag .
How Do You Get Pure Drinking Water
Tap water quality monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency undergoes several purification procedures before being supplied to the public, including the addition of disinfectants, such as chlorine, to guard against germs. However, there are numerous pollutants that you may not want in your body. Even chlorine in water has the potential to create carcinogenic disinfection by-products.
One of the greatest ways to prioritize our health is to make sure we drink clean, filtered water daily. One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is to install a water-filtering system in our house. In-home filtration provides continual protection against pollutants in the water, especially in the event of a sudden spike in contaminants. While installing a water filter, we may set a pH range and alkalinity level of water.
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Are Certain Types Of Water Healthier Than Others
Most drinking water in the United States is safe.
Drinking water standards are tightly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration .
While there may be slight differences in the taste and mineral content of different types of water, for the most part, theyre equally healthy.
What Drinks Can Increase Your Gout Risks
Sugary beverages containing high fructose corn syrup increase your gout. Moreover, it is better to avoid drinking wine to prevent gout attacks.
Now, you have found the answer to the question- What is the best thing to drink if you have gout? Create a diet chart that minimizes your gout risks.
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What Does Burning Plastic Do To Your Lungs
Burning plastic can have harmful effects on your lungs. Inhaling any kind of smoke from burning plastic can irritate your lungs and cause inflammation. This inflammation can irritate your airways, making it difficult to breathe and causing various respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
Burning plastic may also contain chemical toxins that can further harm the lungs, leading to long-term damage and even diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. People who have pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems may be particularly susceptible to such damage and should avoid burning plastic if possible.
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Because of our high water content, it makes sense that our bodies need water to keep our systems functioning. So the next time you hit that afternoon slump, drink a glass of water to increase your energy levels, Fatakhov said.
Think about it like this: I tell you to drink water, and you drink water. Your body has to convert that water back to your body temperature. So if you drink cold water, your body has to turn it back to body temperature, he said. Thats why they say its better to drink cold water than hot water if youre trying to burn calories.
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What Is Purified Water
Purified water is water that has been mechanically filtered or processed to remove impurities like bacteria, viruses, chemical pollutants, and minerals like lead and copper .
In most developed countries, including the United States and Canada, tap water is purified to ensure its safe for consumption.
It undergoes various treatment methods. Simply put, these include :
Other purification methods may also be used to produce bottled water or at home, such as :
If companies can meet the required FDA and EPA guidelines for safety, they can label their water as purified .
Balancing The Pros And Cons
There are pros and cons for each type of water, so let’s sum it up.
- Tap water is the most convenient and cost-effective type of water to drink, however, it may contain harmful chemicals and pollutants.
- Mineral and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they’re clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs.
- Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals. However, there is the option of adding essential minerals and electrolytes back into your drinking water.
Having taken everything into consideration, it is safe to say that the most important thing is that you’re drinking enough healthy water and keeping your body hydrated. Simply opt for the type that suits your lifestyle and tastes the best to you, and be sure to add essential minerals and electrolytes if necessary.
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Best Overall: Essentia Ionized Water
Essentia Waters ionized bottled water is an excellent product. Its safe, clean, tastes great, and has all the right certificates. Its a supercharged and ionized alkaline water thats filtered through a proprietary process that purifies Essentias water, making it 99.9% pure. This process eradicates contaminants including metals, chlorine, fluoride, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
After the filtration and purification process, Essentia Water is blended with alkaline electrolytes and ionized. The result is an energizing drink with pure alkaline electrolytes that meets EPA, FRA, and IBWA drinking water standards. Each bottle has a pH balance of 9.5 or higher.
Essentia Waters bottles come in a variety of sizes with different caps. The most popular option is the 12-ounce bottle with a twist top. Its a great size for throwing into your picnic basket, lunch sack, or gym bag. All of the companys bottles are BPA and Phthalate free.
Its certainly not the cheapest water in the world, but the price is fair considering the high quality of the product.
Top Features:
Aquafina drinking water is available almost anywhere. Its cheap, effective, and tastes great. Theres a very good chance that youve already had a bottle of Aquafina at some point in your life. Its almost inescapable.
Top Features:
- Available in a wide range of bottle sizes
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Create The Best Quality Drinking Water Quickly & Economically
- You may have tested your water with one of our water test kits and found the results are not what you expected?
- You wish to ensure you are providing your home, office, school etc the best possible drinking water?
- You may simply be conscious of the water you put into your body?
- You wish to be drinking only the best tasting, clearest looking, purest water?
- You wish to save money by avoiding buying bottled water?
then a water filter or water purifier could be the solution for you.
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What Are Common Drinking Water Ph Levels
These are common drinking water pH levels for different types of water.
With the exception of ocean water, all of these water types are used for daily drinking, though sparkling, mineral, and especially iceberg water tend to be used more in dining settings. Even ocean water is drunk if desalinated as it is in many countries and a few bottled water brands. The pH range is wide and not of any scientific meaning but is sometimes utilized for marketing purposes.
Can You Filter Any Type Of Water
In short, absolutely. Water filters can be used for city and well water and on both soft and hard water. Just be aware of what you are hoping to remove a whole-house system specifically designed to remove minerals from hard water, for example, wont work the same as a pitcher that removes chlorine for flavor.
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Who Should Buy Bottled Water
Bottled water is well-suited for people who live locations with untrustworthy local water supplies, or who want to be prepared in case of a disaster. A well-stocked emergency shelter should include both bottled water and long-term food storage.
Traditionally, people associate low quality with developing countries, and while its true that contaminants like bacteria and protozoa, which cause disease, are typically found in contaminated water in the developing world, recent events in cities like Flint, Michigan have demonstrated that living in a wealthy country is no guarantee of safe water.
In case you dont recall, for years, residents of Flint were exposed to water contaminated with high levels of lead, a toxic heavy metal that can cause cognitive impairments, especially in children.
Bottled water is great if you have concerns about the quality of your standard tap water. Certain kind of bottled water that are fortified with electrolytes can also help athletic performance to a greater extent than standard water, and many people seek out certain types of natural spring water for their purported health benefits, though these effects are less clear than the advantages in terms of purity and quality offered by a high quality bottled water.