What About our Tap Water?    

The discomforting fact is that while we have perfectly good tap water we spend approaching £2 billion on bottled water every year when a billion people around the world don't have safe water. 

So consider using the cheapest source of water we have – our tap water!

• Cheap: Tap water costs just 0.22p a litre - much cheaper than bottled mineral water.
• Taste: In a survey by Which? Half of their members say they can’t taste the difference between bottled and tap water, with 18% actually preferring it from the tap.
• Eco-friendly: Tap water is undoubtedly better for the environment than bottled.
• Safe: UK water is some of the safest in the world.

There's no contest when it comes to cost. At 0.22p a litre, tap water is 141 times cheaper than the bestselling mineral water, Evian, which, even if you buy it in a supermarket, costs 31p a litre.  Drinking the recommended eight glasses a day equates to about £500 for mineral water each year, compared to a £1 from the tap. The price of tap water is from Ofwat and based on average water rates in the UK.

Bottled water is marketed as pure, healthy, natural and clean, but that doesn’t mean tap water is unsafe or unhealthy. In fact, the UK has some of the best drinking water in the world due to strong regulations. 

UK tap water contains safe levels of chlorine to make sure it’s clean. But placing a covered jug of water in the fridge for a few hours before drinking can reduce the chlorine taste. Replace any leftover water in your fridge every 24 hours to keep it fresh. 

A staggering 82% of people choose bottled water because they're concerned about their tap water.

Where you live can also affect the taste of your water. As water journeys through the ground it picks up minerals such as calcium and magnesium.  Water with lots of these minerals is described as ‘hard’ water which does not pose any risk to health. If you are concerned about the taste due to chlorine or fluoride then investing in a water filter will allow you to refill your own bottles free for life!  Water filters come in a range of options and prices but the savings generated against the cost of bottled water means it will easily pay for itself in no time.

Remember small decisions made by millions of people can have a big impact and you can Make a Difference by choosing an ECOtanka, the safe stainless steel alternative to plastic bottles.