The Word on Water
Certainly, bottled water is a convenience that helps us stay hydrated while on the go. But convenience aside, bottled water often starts out as tap water. In fact, did you know that bottled water is sometimes nothing more than purified tap water? Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict labeling rules for bottled water, but it's up to you to learn the differences between various terms and what they mean. There are three major types of bottled water:
- Purified water is water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes. Purified water may also be referred to as "demineralized water."
- Spring water is water that flows naturally from the earth and is collected directly from its natural source.
- Mineral water is spring water that contains dissolved minerals and other trace elements (at least 250 parts per million) that come directly from the source.
In general, safety standards for bottled water and tap water are the same with a few exceptions. For example, because tap water may become contaminated with lead as it travels through pipes, the government limits the amount of lead in tap water to 15 parts per billion whereas the limit is set below 5 parts per billion for bottled water. Another major difference is that tap water is often fluoridated, but most bottled waters do not contain fluoride.
Most people can safely (and inexpensively!) drink water straight from the tap. If you want to improve the taste of tap water, you can purchase a water-filtration pitcher, which reduces the amount of chlorine in the tap water. If you prefer the taste of bottled water and you're serving it to your family, let your dentist know because young children require fluoride for healthy teeth.
Finally, Dr. Agatston advises drinking when you're thirsty to stay sufficiently hydrated. Keep a bottle or glass of water nearby so you can quench your thirst as needed.
Thanks for the info, Boner. I've always wondered about that stuff. People who complain about $4 for a gallon of gas should figure out what they're paying for the most plentiful substance on the planet! It falls out of the sky, for crying out loud! I've always had this mental image about the bottling plants. I see some guy with a hose hooked up to his house's spigot filling up plastic bottles and laughing all the way to the bank. (OK, I'm kidding because I can 
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The best 12.00 I've ever spent is on my Camelbak Better Bottle....I can go and on but here's why I like it so much:
1. Every day I can fill it 4 times and get 100 ounces of tasty filtered water from my fridge door water for virtually nothing. It is worth the value of a 24 pack of water every 4 days. If I were to buy disposable bottles at .99 each that's 2 days before it's payed for or 12 days if I buy it by the case at about 3 bucks a case...
2. No bottles filling up my trash can = less trips to take the trash out
3. No bottles to go in the landfill or make my city pay to recycle (yes they lose money on the deal)
4. It's BPA free, I don't know enough to know if it matters, but it's one less thing to worry about.
5. This is no ordinary bottle. it has a built-in non-bendable straw so you don't have to tip your head back or obstruct your vision to drink from it (great for cyclists, boner)....
6. The tip has a bite-valve, so if me or my kid drops it, turns it upside down, it doesn't make a mess.
7, There's even a bite valve adaptor hose thingy which means you can use the thing just like a hydration pack without the hard to clean bladder, and the wide mouth makes it easy to clean and fill with ice cubes...
My kids love them too. They kept "borrowing" mine and i got sick of tasting their last meal every time I went for a sip, so I went out and got each of them their own last night...
Here's some info from a retailer:
1. Every day I can fill it 4 times and get 100 ounces of tasty filtered water from my fridge door water for virtually nothing. It is worth the value of a 24 pack of water every 4 days. If I were to buy disposable bottles at .99 each that's 2 days before it's payed for or 12 days if I buy it by the case at about 3 bucks a case...
2. No bottles filling up my trash can = less trips to take the trash out
3. No bottles to go in the landfill or make my city pay to recycle (yes they lose money on the deal)
4. It's BPA free, I don't know enough to know if it matters, but it's one less thing to worry about.
5. This is no ordinary bottle. it has a built-in non-bendable straw so you don't have to tip your head back or obstruct your vision to drink from it (great for cyclists, boner)....
6. The tip has a bite-valve, so if me or my kid drops it, turns it upside down, it doesn't make a mess.
7, There's even a bite valve adaptor hose thingy which means you can use the thing just like a hydration pack without the hard to clean bladder, and the wide mouth makes it easy to clean and fill with ice cubes...
My kids love them too. They kept "borrowing" mine and i got sick of tasting their last meal every time I went for a sip, so I went out and got each of them their own last night...
Here's some info from a retailer:
No-drip, easy-sipping convenience meets new Tritan™ copolyester construction in the CamelBak Better Bottle with Big Bite™ valve.
- Made of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, the bottle is completely BPA-free and is dishwasher safe
- Tritan™ copolyester provides excellent impact resistance and is suitable for both warm and cold beverages
- Bypass the potential hazards of drinking from wide openings—CamelBak's Big Bite valve eliminates awkward drips and spills
- Just bite and sip and the beverage flows through the valve—you don't even need to tip the bottle to drink
- But if lifting and tipping is your preferred method, no problem; just remove the straw inside
- Big Bite valve has an articulating stem, so when not in use it folds down next to the bottle and stays clean
- Carry the integrated handle in the crook of a finger, or connect it to a pack or waistbelt with a small carabiner
- Simply unscrew the cap to uncover bottle's wide-mouth opening for easy filling and cleaning; standard cap size fits many other wide-mouth bottles
- Specially shaped bottle fits nicely in your hand and accommodates most automobile cup holders
- All components are dishwasher safe (top rack only); do not microwave
Visit My Newly Launched Blog:
Can you tell us more about your adventure? 
When it comes to plain water, I only drink bottled. Even at wor****ep a case in my cabinet because I refuse to drink the filtered stuff in the break room that they give for free. I usually buy the Smar****er cases but sometimes I'll get the Kirkland brand from Costco. At home we get Arrowhead water delivered in 5 gallon bottles and it's pretty cheap since we only use about 30 gallons/month.
Hey Michael -- like the CamelBak Better Bottle. Don't like bottled waters, mainly because of the expense and even though Ft. Smith has recycling here, there is still very few of the bottles that get recycled. Where did you buy yours? Hope a national chain. Would the straw part though, be considered like a regular straw. I have seen many posts here that say don't drink from a straw because of the extra air you get. My doctor has also said the same thing. Michael.
Michael,
I got mine at EMS and I think they also carry them at Dick's Sporting goods and amazonwww.amazon.com/CamelBak-BPA-Free-Better-Water-Bottle/dp/B001 9D9CZG/ref=pd_bbs_1
Jim
Boner I will elaborate more tomorrow with a post of my own .
Right now Im so tired I cant see stright .
But it was a blast , and I will be back next year.
PARTY, NAKED GIRL'S, beer and more beer. I think I drank more beer in six days then I have drank in ten years ! Wich really is not all that much to begain with ! OO yeah bloody Mary's and Pucker. Pucker is my team sponser. But its nasty Sh-t . Part of the new guy's job was to hand out mini bottles of the stuff when you stop for the night .I had no idea that people could ride a bike that DRUNK !!! And then get up and do it all over again.( for six days this went on ) I dont know how they can do that ! I was told that it takes alot of training . LOL LOL LOL
I dont think I can train that way without KILLING myself. ( dont think I want to )
Nick
Right now Im so tired I cant see stright .
But it was a blast , and I will be back next year.
PARTY, NAKED GIRL'S, beer and more beer. I think I drank more beer in six days then I have drank in ten years ! Wich really is not all that much to begain with ! OO yeah bloody Mary's and Pucker. Pucker is my team sponser. But its nasty Sh-t . Part of the new guy's job was to hand out mini bottles of the stuff when you stop for the night .I had no idea that people could ride a bike that DRUNK !!! And then get up and do it all over again.( for six days this went on ) I dont know how they can do that ! I was told that it takes alot of training . LOL LOL LOL
I dont think I can train that way without KILLING myself. ( dont think I want to )
Nick
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