An abundance of research has been performed by labs in attempt to find out exactly what our water, bottled and tap, actually contains. Shockingly, many potentially dangerous substances have been found in our tap water, which includes poisons like arsenic, chlorine, which is used to clean the water, and many others. Recent findings from scientists have also discovered that tap water also contains traces of medications, animal and human feces, and other disgusting and dangerous substances. Publicizing these findings has led many people to turn to bottled water as a safe alternative, but sadly it may not be such a good substitute.

Now while the bottled water that so many Americans buy may smell and taste a great deal better than tap water does, it has actually been found to be no safer than tap. Some bottled water manufacturers don't collect their water from "springs," but in fact use regular tap water and then add mineral and vitamins to it. Even though the bottled water doesn't contain the exact same toxins that tap water does, it contains other toxins, including chemicals that can leach from the container that the water comes in. Unfortunately, there are no state regulations in place to dictate what bottled water can and cannot contain, unlike tap water. Additionally, many bottled water manufacturers merely clean the plastic bottles that the water comes in, without sterilization, which could harbor bacteria in the water assumed to be so pure.

Even though tap water contains trace amounts of arsenic, fluoride, and other undesirable materials, most experts agree that drinking tap water is actually safer--and cheaper--than drinking bottled water. If you don't want to give up the convenience of bottled water, though, there are a few companies that guarantee the purity of their water. You could also purchase a water bottle that contains a filter and simply purify your own tap water this way. This option would certainly save you a great deal of money, as you would only have to occasionally purchase filters for the bottle. You could even invest in a water filter for your faucet, which would make it easier to cook with and drink while you're at home.

Despite the findings regarding bottled water, many people choose to continue to purchase the water that they're so used to buying. For these people, purchasing bottled water is worth the cost--and the risk. Ultimately it's up to you to decide if buying bottled water is worth the money, but if your health goals are to avoid as many toxins as possible, then obviously bottled water may not be worth the cost since it could potentially affect your health. On the other hand, if you feel that the benefits of bottled water outweigh the disadvantages and buying it doesn't hurt your budget, then it may very well be worth the cost and in your case you should continue to buy bottled water.