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Jan. 12, 2026— Water is a great option for staying hydrated and quenching your thirst. But, these days, we face a flood of choices when it comes to drinking water. All sorts of bottled varieties are sold in stores. And, of course, there's the water that flows from our kitchen faucets. But what sets all those water options apart from one another?

Tap water

Tap water typically comes from one of two sources: a municipal water supply or a private well. Public water supplies are tested and treated regularly to ensure they meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Private well water isn't regulated, so homeowners must have it tested to ensure that their water is safe.

Tap water can also have varying levels of minerals, pH (alkali versus acidity), fluoride and chlorine, which can affect things like mineral buildup on plumbing and even cooking. You can learn more about the public water in your area by asking your town for a water quality report.

Lead exposure is sometimes a concern with tap water, especially in older homes with lead pipes. One way to reduce this risk is to run the tap for a few minutes in the morning before using the water.

Bottled water

Bottled water can be convenient when you're hydrating on-the-go, and many people prefer its taste over tap water, which can be affected by chlorination (although filtration systems can improve the taste of tap water). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water, which is generally considered safe. A potential concern with bottled water is microplastics, which are linked to health issues, including hormone disruption.

Many types of bottled water are available, including:

• Spring water. This water is collected at a spring where water bubbles up from the earth. Spring water may contain trace minerals, though not enough for health benefits.
• Artesian water. Like spring water, artesian water comes from underground, but it's collected from a well that taps an aquifer that is under pressure.
• Mineral water. This water must contain at least 250 parts per million dissolved solids. It has minerals and other trace elements, like calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, potassium and sodium sulfate. Minerals cannot be added later.
• Electrolyte water. This water is like a sports drink. It may help replace electrolytes that your body loses through sweating during strenuous workouts or heatwaves.
• Alkaline water. This water is made to have a higher pH than tap water. Some people say alkaline water neutralizes acid in the bloodstream and delivers health benefits, such as helping with acid reflux and bone health. But these claims have not yet been proven in studies.
• Sparkling water..This water has gases, such as carbon dioxide, that carbonate it. The gases can be added or found naturally in sparkling mineral water. The FDA considers artificially carbonated sparkling waters soft drinks rather than bottled water. Examples include seltzer, soda and tonic water.
• Vitamin waters. This water has vitamins (and sometimes sugar) added to it. Some vitamin waters may contain more than the recommended daily amount of vitamins B and C. Since these are water-soluble vitamins, the excess vitamins are passed through urine, according to AARP.

Which water is best?

Ultimately, the choice of drinking water is yours. The key is to stay well-hydrated with water or other fluids throughout the day. Certain bottled waters, such as those with electrolytes or minerals, may help with hydration after an intense workout. However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that choosing one type of water over another, whether that's well-regulated tap water or bottled water, is unlikely to give you sizable health benefits.

Sources

• AARP. "7 Types of Bottled Water." https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/different-types-of-bottled-water/.
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "What Makes a Healthful Drink of Water?" https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/what-makes-a-healthful-drink-of-water.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Bottled Water Safety." https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/about-bottled-water-safety.html.
• National Institutes of Health. "Plastic Particles in Bottled Water." https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/plastic-particles-bottled-water.
• Penn State Extension. "Understanding Bottled Water." https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-bottled-water.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Bottled Water Everywhere: Keeping it Safe." https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/bottled-water-everywhere-keeping-it-safe.