You may assume that buying bottled water is the most effective way to make sure you aren’t consuming any contaminants that could be floating about in your tap or well water. While it may seem like the best solution, that bottled water you’re buying could be doing you, your wallet, and even the environment far more harm than good. Still on the fence? Below we’ve listed 5 reasons why you should stop buying bottled water. Read on to learn why you should ditch the plastic, and how you can save money and still have pure drinking water in your home.

5 Reasons To Stop Buying Bottled Water

1. You’re wasting money

If you’re regularly buying bottled water, you’re spending far more money than you would by just drinking out of the tap. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) the average cost of bottled water in 2016 was $1.11 per gallon. It may not seem like a lot, but that adds up—especially if you tend to buy single-serve plastic bottles, and price can vary drastically depending on the brand. If you think you’re saving money buying in bulk, cases can still cost anywhere from $3 to $6 which also adds up quickly. The average American can easily spend over $100 per year on their bottled water habit.

2. The quality of bottled water can vary

Even if the cost doesn’t scare you off, the fact is that you can’t always be sure of the quality of water you’re drinking. The FDA does have some standards for safety, and most bottled water is safe, but keep in mind that the FDA can’t regulate water that gets bottled and sold within the same state. There is an even higher probability that you’re basically drinking bottled tap water that has gone through a filtration system—something you can do in your own home for a fraction of the price of what you’re spending on bottled water.

3. Plastic bottles could cause health issues

While the water inside the bottles you’re drinking out of may be better than the water that comes out of your tap, the plastic bottles that house the water could be harmful to your health. The biggest offender is BPA, also known as bisphenol-A. Some research shows that “BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children” (Mayo Clinic). You’ll often see bottles being marketed as “BPA free” but the chemicals used to replace BPA have the potential to be just as harmful.

4. It’s bad for the environment

Your health has the potential to be adversely affected by plastic water bottles, but they’re also bad for the environment. One plastic bottle can take up to a thousand years to break down. All the plastic bottles that don’t get properly recycled are filling up our landfills and polluting our oceans. It isn’t just the bottles themselves causing the problem either—the production and transportation of these bottles also creates pollution.

5. There’s a better, more affordable solution

With all the above, you might be wondering how you can get great tasting, pure drinking water if you stop buying plastic bottles. The answer? A water filtration system! A whole house water filtration system can filter out any contaminants that may be present in your tap water or well water. It also covers more than just your drinking water. This type of system filters water as it enters your home, so the water you bathe in and wash your clothes in will also be free of contaminants.

You can learn more about the benefits of installing a water filtration system here, or feel free to contact us! Our experienced water technicians will be happy to answer your questions, and can help you find the best water filtration option for your home.