A recent survey shows that about 64% of bottled water in the U.S. comes from municipal sources—the same tap water found in homes. Some brands do little to purify it, occasionally exceeding contamination limits and raising concerns about transparency.

Brands like Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Food’s Acadia have faced criticism for high contaminant levels, sometimes surpassing California safety standards. In contrast, Gerber Pure, Nestlé Pure Life, and Penta Ultra-Purified Water are praised for disclosing their sources and purification methods.

Despite slick packaging and marketing, bottled water is often less regulated than tap. The EPA enforces strict safety standards for public water systems, while studies have found pollutants like arsenic and microplastics in some bottled brands.

Consumers may not be getting the purity they expect from bottled water, making tap water a safer and more reliable option in many cases