Bottled water and tap water are so similar to each other that using bottled water is more wasteful and expensive. According to Peter Gleick, a water expert and MacArthur fellow, “about 40 or 50 percent of our bottled water actually comes from reprocessed municipal water." Since much of bottled water comes from tap water, this indicates that the differences in taste and nutritional value are insignificant. Also, with the amount of municipal water in bottled water, drinking water from the tap is more convenient and economical than buying it at a store. Interestingly, bottled water is not regulated as strictly as tap water and can be tainted. Gleick argues that 60 to 70 percent of our bottled water isn’t regulated by the federal government because it does not cross state lines, whereas tap water is quality tested dozens of times a day. The lack of testing of bottled water increases the chances of drinking bottled water that is actually unsafe.

"About 40 or 50 percent of our bottled water actually comes from reprocessed municipal water."