Bottled water is convenient. Even more, bottled water companies promote a clean, healthy lifestyle associated with drinking water. At the end of a sporting event, participants often receive bottled water to hydrate and cool down. Tourists purchase bottled water at scenic landmarks and beaches. But, what if the water in the bottles isn’t clean? Read more about the new concerns for bottled water. New research shows microplastic particles are often present in bottled water. A study recently conducted by Orb Media and researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia confirmed the presence of microplastic particles in the water. The presence of the particles is a result of the bottle’s plastic composition and the bottling process. Microplastics exist in tap water sources; however, new research shows the amount found in bottled water to be approximately two times the amount in tap water.

Who are the offenders?

Not all bottled water is the same. Orb Media proved this statement in a study testing many of the most popular brands of bottled water worldwide. Even brands that ranked high for microplastics, at times, produced samples that also ranked quite low for microplastic particles. The reason for the fluctuation is unknown at this time. The chart below reports the microplastic amounts recorded during the tests.

Microplastics: Particles Per Liter

*Brands sold in the USA. Source: https://orbmedia.org/plus-plastic

What is a microplastic?

mi·cro·plas·tic (ˈmīkrōˌplastik/): extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. Source: Oxford Languages The effects of consuming microplastics are not clear as no research to date indicates harmful side effects. Even more, there are no current regulations for microplastics in bottled water. This is an area that warrants more investigation. The Orb Media study is the largest investigation of its kind. After reviewing the study, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently pledged to assess the latest research and its impact.

What can you do?

Avoid using plastic in any form for water consumption. There are many alternatives to bottled water. At home, water filtration at the point of use or for the entire home is a health-conscious choice. A whole house filter solves a wide range of issues with problem water. Contact your local water treatment specialist for expert advice on the best treatment system for your needs and budget. One option for point of use filtration is reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis provides clean, great tasting water and saves money by eliminating bottled water costs! Bottleless water coolers are another alternative for home or office. These coolers deliver filtered hot or cold water at the touch of the button and provide a low maintenance solution for clean water. Bottleless water coolers, just as the name implies, eliminate the need for plastic bottles along with their storage, delivery and replacement requirements. When it comes to eco-friendly, bottleless coolers are an excellent alternative! Wherever you are consuming water, use a BPA-free refillable container. Here are some of our favorites for filling up and staying hydrated on the go!

• S’well
• Klean Kanteen
• Polar Bottle

Note: Hague Quality Water of Maryland does not endorse, sponsor or receive benefits from any of the above named container brands.

Test and Treat Your Water with Hague Quality Water of Maryland

If you are concerned about the quality and contents of your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® System or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family.  We offer a convenient mail-in water testing kit for conducting a complete water test at home. If you’d prefer to drop off samples, you can also do so easily. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.