Tap Water vs Bottled Water: Which Better for Your Health?

In most EU countries, tap water is carefully monitored, safe to drink, and rich in essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. Yet, many consumers still choose bottled water, believing it tastes better or offers greater purity.

However, growing environmental concerns, especially around plastic pollution and carbon emissions, are pushing more households to reconsider their daily choices.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the real differences between tap water vs bottled water, exploring their safety, environmental impact, and how new filtration systems are helping Europeans enjoy cleaner, better-tasting tap water without the plastic waste.

To help you make an informed choice, we’ve broken down the main factors that matter most to European households: health, taste, environmental impact, cost, safety, and convenience. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of which option truly suits your lifestyle.

Health-wise, both tap and bottled waters are essential hydration tools. Tap water has natural mineral content in forms of calcium and magnesium essential for maintaining healthy bones and hearts.

According to Natural Mineral Waters Europe, around 53% of European consumers choose bottled water for its perceived purity and health benefits .

Mineral water, on the other hand, contains the same nutrients in varying amounts based on origin.The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) clarifies that bottled water is often purified and filtered through several processes—which can include "reverse osmosis, distillation, or de-ionisation—before packaging". It seems clean and safe, but the real health risk comes from microplastics — more commonly found in bottled water due to packaging.

Taste often influences water preferences more than health factors. Bottled water is popular for its “pure” taste, often sourced from natural springs with a balanced mineral profile. It lacks chlorine, which some people find unpleasant in tap water.

In a Waterdrop consumer study, users frequently describe their residential tap water as "chalky" or "hard" due to high mineral content.

Even without filtering, tap water in Europe can be considered generally clean and drinkable. For consumers wanting better-tasting drinking water, they can start with methods that involve leaving it for a minute to allow the chlorine to evaporate or refrigerating it in the refrigerator.

The ecological footprint associated with bottled water is substantial. The process of manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of bottles made of plastic generates large amounts of greenhouse gases and pollution.

Every year, millions of metric tons of plastic bottles are manufactured in Europe, most of which go unrecycled. These bottles can remain in the environment for hundreds of years.

Tap water has very little effect on the environment. The use of re-usable bottles with the public water works significantly reduces plastic wastes and saves energy, thereby making tap water far more earth-friendly to consume.

In response to environmental awareness, European bottled water companies are adopting sustainable practices, with the EU setting packaging targets to reduce plastic waste ( 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040 ).

The price difference between tap water and bottled water is dramatic. On average, tap water in Europe costs less than €0.002 per litre, while bottled water can cost anywhere from €0.50 to €2 per litre. Over a year, a household relying on bottled water could spend hundreds of euros more for essentially the same hydration.

Switching to filtered tap water offers long-term savings. Even when factoring in the cost of a quality filtration system, the investment usually pays for itself within months.

Both tap and bottled water in Europe must comply with strict safety standards — but the difference lies in frequency and transparency of testing.

Tap water is tested daily by municipal authorities for bacteria, nitrates, metals, and chemicals. Results are publicly available, allowing consumers to verify water quality at any time.

Bottled water, while also regulated, is tested less frequently and typically under the EU Food Safety Regulations.

Additionally, it is stored in plastic containers that can degrade under heat or prolonged exposure to sunlight. For everyday consumption, tap water often provides more consistent safety oversight than bottled options.

Tap water quality varies by region, and while it is generally safe, it can still contain chlorine, heavy metals, microplastics, or other contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems represent the highest standard for providing the purest drinking water, capable of reducing over 1,000 contaminants, including PFAS, lead, fluoride, and heavy metals.

Waterdrop X12 ro system features 11-stage precision filtration including a robust 0.0001μm RO membrane, composed of 16 layers. Enhanced with an LED light for assured water safety. It delivers healthy, pure water for you.

There’s no denying the convenience of bottled water — it’s portable, widely available, and ready to drink anywhere. It’s a go-to option during travel, emergencies, or when access to clean tap water is limited. However, for daily hydration at home, in the office, or at restaurants, tap water wins in practicality and sustainability.

With the rise of reusable stainless steel bottles and water filtration systems, Europeans can now enjoy convenience without contributing to plastic waste.

Waterdrop NSF-certified undersink ro filtration systems make it easy to get fresh, safe water instantly, no heavy lifting, no recycling hassle, and no environmental guilt.

When it comes to deciding between tap water and bottled water, there are definitely pros and cons to factor in terms of healthcare, taste, price, and the effects on the environment.

Where Europeans are concerned and where there is a need to opt for something that is green, affordable, and healthy, tap water is definitely better than bottled water. While bottled water can be useful during travel or occasional consumption, it can be very expensive in the long run and bad for the earth.

Yes, the tap water in Europe is well regulated and can be considered very healthy to drink on a regular basis. The tap waters are regularly tested for the presence of bacterial, metallic, and chemical contaminants by the relevant authorities in most European countries.

The prices for bottled water are higher because of the processes involved in the production process, packaging, and marketing of the product to the consumer. Tap water can be hundreds to thousands of times cheaper than bottled water per liter.

Personal preferences apply to tasting. Bottle water, especially if it is mineral/spring water, is packaged because it tastes clean, while others who purchase it feel it tastes no different from tap water. Solutions such as refrigerating tap water or adding optional filters can improve taste.

The packaged drinking water industry is one of the biggest causes of plastic pollution, greenhouse gas production, and the consumption of energy in the world. Millions of bottles are manufactured every year, with most being treated in improper ways or not being recycled at all.

Yes, the home filter can furnish clean and drinking-quality water, although it is optional. The tap water in most European countries is in any case clean and mineral-rich. The purpose of filtering in most cases is only to eliminate impurities or to improve taste.