We all know tap water in Australia is safe to drink, and unlike the quality of tap water in other countries overseas, we can rely on it as a safe drinking source.
However, that isn’t to say tap water is completely free of contaminants. In much of the tap water around Australia, various relatively harmless contaminants can be found.
And if you would rather ensure you do not consume these contaminants, it might be best to opt for bottled mineral water instead.
Beloka Water bottled mineral water is pure and has been bottled at the source of the water, removing it from containing any potential contaminants that might be found in tap water throughout Australia.
What is the difference between mineral and tap water?
Mineral water is often bottled at its source – mainly naturally occurring springs. This water is used bottled in either glass or plastic bottles.
Tap water isn’t bottled but rather travels through a series of pumps, pipes and purification channels before it gets to your tap. This is where the contaminants sometimes found in the water can be picked up.
Although tap water is the cheaper option, in many countries it isn’t safe to drink and bottled water must always be consumed. Fortunately, in Australia, we don’t have that problem but some still would rather buy bottled water for a guaranteed purer drinking source.
Unlike tap water, bottled mineral water contains minerals. These can alter the taste and therapeutic qualities, improving the water.
The history of tap water
Tap water was developed in the late 19th century and was revolutionary as it meant residents no longer had to travel to a well to source their water everyday. Cutting out this chore, water was instead conveniently pumped into their homes through a piping system.
However, even today tap water can’t be found in all parts of the world and in some places, people living in poverty still need to make daily journeys to a well to fetch their water.
Although plastic plumbing pipes have made tap water more affordable to install around the world, it is thought they do not keep the water as clean as brass and copper piping systems. Unlike with other piping materials, bacteria can grow in plastic pipes.
Bottled mineral water has solved the problem of avoiding contaminants and bacteria from getting into the water. Surprisingly, bottled water has been around since the 1700s, when clever businesspeople realised there was a trade in bottling and selling water from clean springs.
Bottled water nearly always comes from a naturally occurring spring where the water has risen up from underground. Mineral water often also sees the water passing over rocks above ground, collecting minerals as it flows. Sometimes there is also mineral water that has had minerals artificially added to the bottled water.
Chemicals that can be found in tap water
In Australia, contaminants, which are mostly harmless, can still be found in tap water. These include calcium carbonate and some metals such as iron and magnesium. Sometimes, gases can also be found – namely hydrogen sulphide.
Of course, in different areas of Australia, different levels of contaminants can be found. While with bottled water, certain minerals are collected for their beneficial qualities and labelled on the bottle following rigorous testing, with tap water you cannot always be sure what is in your glass.
What can be found in bottled mineral water?
Mineral water can also contain some of the metals – such as magnesium and iron – that are found in tap water, as well as zinc and calcium. In the right quantities, these minerals can be healthy for you.
Some mineral waters also can contain sodium, potassium, nitrate, fluoride, sulphate and other certain mineral substances.
Most likely though, the highest mineral content will most likely come from calcium, which is healthy to consume.
Consuming mineral or tap water
Although mineral water might not be as environmentally sustainable when coming in a bottled container, glass containers are easily recyclable and not harmful to the environment.
Bottled water has a high consumption and is consumed in large quantities around the world, even in Australia where our tap water is considered to be safe.
We hope we have managed to provide you with an interesting insight into the differences between bottled and tap water. What do you prefer? Personally, we love Beloka mineral water!