The importance of water and having knowledge of the different types of water are  essential elements for life, and plays a critical role in the human body. Water helps transport nutrients, regulate body temperature, and lubricate joints. It also plays a vital role in flushing out toxins and waste products from the body.

With the growing awareness of the importance of water quality on health, there has been an increase in the variety of water options available. 

While some people may take water for granted, it's important to note that not all water is created equal. There are different types of water, each with its unique benefits and risks. This article is not intended to cover every type of water because they are numerous.

Tap water, spring water, alkaline water, and bottled water are some of the options available in the market and are the subject of this article. While all these types of water share the same basic component - water, there are some differences in their composition, benefits, and potential problems.

The intent of this article is to provide information that water consumers can use to help them determine how each of the type waters covered in this article might best fit within their lifestyle, such as their benefits and the risks associated with contamination and pollution of water in general.

The Most Common Types of Water

1. Tap Water/Faucet Water

Tap water or faucet water, is water that is supplied to homes and businesses through municipal water systems. This water undergoes a treatment process to make it safe for consumption. The treatment process involves the addition of chemicals, such as chlorine, to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Tap water is generally safe to drink, and in most cases, it meets the minimum standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

However, tap water can sometimes have a taste or odor due to the chemicals added during the treatment process. In addition, due to the age and condition of the pipes that carry the water from its municipal source to the faucet within a home of business, tap water often becomes contaminated with lead that leaches from the pipes and is ingested when consumed by the unsuspecting consumer. 

The piping system in America is old and outdated. Some sources report that lead piping in many areas are as old as 113 years. Until the government replaces the lead piping that was used decades ago, this problem will persist, despite the fact that the water from the municipal source might otherwise be safe for health purposes. 

2. Spring Water

Spring water is water that comes from a natural spring. It is often touted as a healthier alternative to tap water as it is naturally filtered and contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. However, spring water is not always safe to drink,

It is untreated and therefor subject to high risk of having contaminates within it. Some people prefer spring water because of its natural taste and high mineral content. However the good taste benefit may be overridden for desirable use unless the issue of contaminates is addressed. The quality of spring water can also vary depending on the source and environmental factors such as pollution. 

3. Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a higher pH level than tap water, usually between 7.5 and 9.5. This water is said to have health benefits such as neutralizing acid in the body and improving hydration.

There are considerable discussions and controversies between experts regarding the benefits of alkaline water, especially when it comes to some of the claims that are made about its curative properties for numerous ailments suffered by masses of people. The body maintains an average pH factor 7 which is considered normal and is neither too acidic, which is not good for human health, and sufficient for alkaline purposes within the body. It is between these warring factions that the controversy over alkaline water exists and continues.

There is some evidence that water with a high pH factor has curative powers. This is not a new phenomenon. Around the world, there are locations that have natural springs gushing water with high concentrations of alkalinity and history reports that people who have dipped themselves in those waters were and are healed from maladies such as cancer, skin diseases, and several other diseased conditions. 

Places like Lourdes, France, Tlacote, Mexico, Nordenau, Germany, and Nadana, India, are famous for such curative water springs.

Some scientific studies show alkaline water does in fact provide good results in the treatment of some physical maladies such as acid reflux, commonly referred to as "heartburn."

Dr. Hiromi Shinya, who is a renown surgeon and health practitioner and the inventor of the modern technique of colonoscopy procedures, extolls the virtue of alkaline water and its use. Dr. Shinya, contends that use of alkaline water in proper measures helps to cure as well as prevent cancerous occurrences in his book, "The Enzyme Factor."

5. Bottled Water

Bottled water is water that is sold in bottles and is sourced from various sources such as springs, wells, and municipal water supplies. The quality of bottled water can vary depending on the source and the treatment process used.

Some bottled water is simply tap water that has been treated and bottled. While bottled water is convenient, it can be expensive and have negative impacts on the environment due to the plastic waste it creates.

There has been a recent trend to move from tap water coming out of the faucet for drinking purposes to the purchasing of bottled water with the mistaken idea that “bottled water” is somehow safer, fresher, purer, and more healthful than tap water.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, bottled water, in large part, is nothing but tap water that came from the same municipal source that you drink from your kitchen faucet. Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, were forced to admit that fact in prior investigations of its claims about the purity, wholesomeness, and health claims they were making about their bottled water Dasani and Aquafina. contributes to the problem of contaminated and unsafe drinking water when it is placed under a microscope of investigation.

In theory, bottled water in the United States falls under the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration. In practice, about 70 percent of bottled water never crosses state lines for sale, making it exempt from FDA oversight.

On the other hand, water systems in the developed world are well-regulated. In the U.S., for instance, municipal water falls under the purview of the Environmental Protection Agency, and is regularly inspected for bacteria and toxic chemicals. Want to know how your community scores? Check out the Environmental Working Group's National Drinking Water Database.

Overall, the choice of water is a personal preference, and the type of water one drinks depends on factors such as taste, health benefits, and convenience. It is important to ensure that the water is safe to drink and meets the minimum standards set by the EPA.

Bottled water isn't a good value

Bottled water is convenient. That’s a strong motivation for people to consume it especially when on the run, out and about, and there is no access to tap or faucet water. However, that convenience comes with a high price tag and the reality is that bottled water is just tap water branded and sold in an attractive marketing and packaging and in often a lot of hype.

According to some sources, bottled water is almost 2,000 times the price of tap water, with a gallon of bottled water costing three times the national average of a gallon of milk. This is interesting, given that bottled water is often simply filtered tap water.

According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) the average cost of a bottle of non-sparkling water was $1.23 in 2021. Most municipal water costs less than 1 cent per gallon.

Can you see why there’s no shortage of companies that want get into the bottled water business?

Bottled water means garbage and more harm to the environment

Bottled water produces up to 25 million tons of plastic waste per year. Most of this waste is not recycled and ends up in landfills where it takes up to 450 years to degrade into a harmless substance. These plastic bottles millions of gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80 percent of plastic bottles are simply thrown away.

Bottle water is big business but it’s also a big polluter and creates huge waste in our landfills. Publications like National Geographic have weighed in on the bad side effects of bottled water.

Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking water has numerous health benefits, including:

1. Hydration

Drinking water helps keep the body hydrated, which is essential for maintaining good health.

2. Weight loss

Drinking water can help with weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing calorie intake.

3. Digestion

Water helps facilitate the digestion of food and prevents constipation.

4. Skin health

Drinking water helps keep the skin hydrated and can help prevent dryness and wrinkles.

5. Kidney function

Water helps flush out waste products from the body, which is important for maintaining healthy kidney function.

Risks Associated with Contaminated and Polluted Water

While water is essential for life, contaminated and polluted water can be harmful to health. Here are some of the risks associated with contaminated and polluted water:

1. Bacterial infections

Contaminated water can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause gastrointestinal infections.

2. Viral infections

Contaminated water can also contain viruses such as hepatitis A, which can cause liver infections.

3. Parasitic infections

Contaminated water can contain parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

4. Chemical exposure

Polluted water can contain chemicals such as lead, mercury, chlorine, and pesticides, which can be harmful to health.

How to Ensure Safe Drinking Water

To ensure that you are drinking safe water, follow these tips:

1. Use a water filter

A water filter can help remove contaminants such as lead and chlorine from tap water.

2. Boil water

Boiling water can help kill harmful bacteria and viruses.

3. Avoid bottled water

Bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water and can be expensive and harmful to the environment.

4. Test well water

If you rely on well water, it's important to have it tested regularly for contaminants.

FAQs

Q: Is alkaline water better than tap water?

A:  Tap water should not be ruled out as a source for consuming. In general, it is safe and meets the minimum standards required by law for consumption. However, once it leaves the municipal source, often it gets contaminated along the way due to the dilapidated old lead pipes which can leach lead into the water. Unless there is a filter that removes the lead and other contaminates that my be in the water, it could cause harm with constant use. There is little scientific evidence to support the claim that alkaline water is better than tap water

Q: Can polluted water be purified?

A: Yes, polluted water can be purified using methods such as reverse osmosis and activated carbon filtration.

Q: Should I drink bottled water?

A: Bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water and can be expensive and harmful to the environment.

Conclusion:

Water is an essential element for life, and it's important to ensure that you are drinking safe water. While there are different types of water, each with its unique benefits and risks, following the tips outlined in this article can help ensure that you are drinking safe water. So drink up and stay hydrated!