Final answer:
Tap water and bottled water in the US both adhere to safety regulations, but tap water, regulated by the EPA, is just as safe and is tested regularly. Bottled water is not necessarily safer, is far more expensive, and has a larger environmental impact due to plastic bottle use. Filtered tap water can be a cheaper and more sustainable option.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both tap water and bottled water in the United States must adhere to stringent safety regulations, but there are significant differences between the two. Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and must meet strict safety standards, with water suppliers providing annual consumer confidence reports to the public. By comparison, bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, while it also must meet safety standards, it is not necessarily safer than tap water.
The belief that bottled water is "cleaner" and free from bacteria and viruses is a common misconception. While bottled water is generally safe to drink, the EPA's intensive regulations and the frequency of testing often result in tap water being just as safe, if not safer, for consumption. Furthermore, bottled water is considerably more expensive than tap water, and its environmental impact, including the use of plastic bottles, is significant.
When considering cost and sustainability, tap water is usually the more economical and eco-friendly option. If the taste or potential contaminants are a concern, using a water filter is an effective alternative to bottled water.