Consuming tap water or bottled water: the dilemma for consumers
In France, the water distributed to households is potable and meets very strict microbiological quality standards. Despite this, 1 out of 3 French people continue to consume bottled water, despite the fact that this consumption habit has a higher financial and environmental cost than the consumption of tap water.
Why this lack of confidence in drinking water?
If 2/3 of the water is captured in the water table (groundwater), the remaining ⅓ comes from natural (rivers, lakes,…) or artificial (dams) waters. The collection of water is the first step of the process, followed by its transport to the potabilization plants.
The water treatment depends on the quality of the water initially collected.
Groundwater does not require significant addition of chemicals, unlike water collected from natural areas, which requires more extensive treatment. These chemicals allow disinfection and decantation of the water, but also a partial elimination of micropollutants (pesticides, drugs, sediments).
Finally, the addition of chlorine is the last step that allows a more durable storage and disinfection of the water.
The implementation of standards makes the consumption of tap water acceptable.
Although it is the most controlled product in France, whether at the outlet of the treatment plants or at the storage sites (water tower), the consumption of tap water can still cause health problems in the long term. In fact, it is not uncommon to find traces of micro-pollutants that have escaped the initial treatment after collection.
The last step in the potabilization process, the addition of chlorine, means that the water defined as “fit for consumption” still contains traces of chemicals.
Should we be concerned about the quality of our tap water?
In France, we don’t play around with standards, but there can be occasional incidents in the network or in the treatment process. These quality problems are often detected immediately by the authorities, who do not hesitate to issue decrees temporarily prohibiting the consumption of tap water.
These “snags” are enough to create mistrust among consumers, who prefer to change their consumption habits and buy bottled water.
With promising slogans such as “because the water you drink is as important as the air you breathe,” or “when a volcano erupts, a creature awakens,” how can you not choose to drink bottled water?
Advertisers and water brands have managed to convince the French that bottled water is better than tap water.
These slogans are very seductive, but like tap water, bottled water deserves special attention.
First of all, its impact on the environment.
The presence of plastic in nature and its impact on flora and fauna is no longer to be demonstrated. Although waste sorting has become part of the daily habits of the French, it is not enough to eradicate the presence of plastic in nature.
A study has shown that bottled mineral water has a 1000 times greater impact on the environment than tap water.
There is also the issue of health. Several studies have shown that bottled water contains plastic microparticles due to the degradation of the corks and the bottles themselves.
Finally, the financial cost of this item (100 times more expensive than tap water) in the household budget is considerable.
What is the alternative to these two forms of consumption?
Considering the efforts made by the authorities to make groundwater drinkable, with drastic quality standards, and the environmental impact of plastic bottles with no guarantee of water quality, drinking tap water seems to be the best choice.
To improve its quality and eliminate all traces of micropollutants and chemicals, the OLEO system is the solution.
This 100% French innovation, patented and developed in collaboration with the CNRS, revitalizes and rejuvenates water.
Its nano-vortex system, combined with activated carbon and pure silver filtration, allows you to distribute pure water, free of chemicals, micropollutants and sediments, to all the water points in your home.
