Which is healthier—tap or bottled water?

A 4-year study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (summarized on Environment, Health and Safety Online) concluded that bottled water sold in the U.S. is not necessarily cleaner or safer than most tap water. The study tested more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of bottled water. Most were found to be of high quality.
 
However, FDA regulations does not cover water packaged and sold within the same state, and 1 out of 5 states also don’t regulate this product. Moreover, even when bottled water is covered by the FDA’s rules, they are subject to less rigorous and less frequent testing than city tap water.
 
The study concluded that bottled water regulations are not adequate to assure customers of safety, especially those with comprised immune systems. Here is EHSO’s recommendation: “If you want the safest, cleanest, best-tasting water,…install a good water filter on your tap.” (A good water filter will remove nearly all of the lead and chlorine and lower the level of many other unwanted chemicals and minerals as well.)
 
Source(s):
EHSO Environment, Health and Safety Online - “Drinking Water Information: Bottled Water or Tap Water?”