Is Bottled Water Filtered? What You Need To Know

Before twisting open the cap on your next single-serve plastic water bottle, you might find yourself asking: Is bottled water filtered? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Many types of bottled water are filtered. However, treatment processes may differ depending on the brand and type — and many may not be designed to handle emerging contaminants like microplastics or “forever chemicals.”

Want to learn more about how bottled water companies address potentially harmful contaminants and why home water treatment may be a better approach? Here’s a closer look at the story behind single-serve bottled water filtration.

How Bottled Water Is Treated

Single-serve bottled water is often treated based on its point of origin. However, that differs from brand to brand. In some cases, bottled water comes from the same sources as your home’s tap water, including surface water (lakes, rivers and springs) or groundwater (underground aquifers). Other times, that single-serve plastic bottle is filled with municipal water, with or without additives. In the US, bottled water can either come from natural sources or from municipal city water.

About 75% of U.S. bottled water comes from natural sources approved and legally protected by state and federal governments. The remaining 25% comes from approved municipal sources like those that supply city water. In Canada, bottled water may originate from anywhere, including underground sources that are drinkable at their point of origin.

So, what does this mean for bottled water treatment? The truth is that it all comes down to the type of water you’re buying. Many brands use some of the same methods as municipal water systems, including filtration, distillation and ultraviolet light disinfection. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule, including:

• Municipal water: A U.S. company can bottle municipal water and provide no additional treatment, but must label its product accordingly.
• Spring water: In both the U.S. and Canada, a product is only “spring water” if it’s taken straight from the original source, which means no treatment.
• Mineral water: In Canada, “mineral water” has to maintain its original composition, so it can’t be treated. Additionally, both Canada and the U.S. must specify that the mineral content must come from the original source and cannot be added later.

Both countries have specific regulations for bottled water quality depending on its source and treatment. This includes limits on harmful contaminants like chemicals and heavy metals. However, the U.S. and Canada note that their rules for bottled water may differ from municipal water regulations.

For this reason, the bottled water industry has developed a unique “marketing language” around its products. For example, the U.S. FDA says bottled water can’t have additional ingredients except fluoride and certain antimicrobial agents. That means “sparkling water” isn’t technically a type of bottled water under the FDA’s regulations, so its treatment requirements may differ. That’s why it’s important to read and understand labels on every beverage — but even then, you may not be getting the full story.

What Could Be in Your Bottled Water?

Most single-serve bottled water is treated in one way or another, but that doesn’t mean you never have to wonder about what’s in it. What’s important to understand is that different treatment methods will address different types of water quality issues and won’t necessarily address all potential water contaminants, particularly those that are not yet regulated by federal governments.

PFAS chemicals are a particularly relevant example. Although PFAS regulations are in process , bottled water production and municipal treatment processes aren’t yet designed to address these “forever chemicals.” That means treated single-serve bottled water could have PFAS contamination — even spring water (the same is true for municipal or well water). In fact, spring water has been found to contain higher levels of PFAS and was even the subject of a public health warning in Massachusetts in early 2024.

But that’s not the only potential concern with single-use bottled water. There are also three main types of plastic issues to consider:

• BPA: Bisphenol A is a chemical used to manufacture many food storage containers, including some single-use water bottles. Exposure to BPA water bottles is generally considered low-risk, but research has shown it can accumulate in human organs and can contribute to health problems.
• Microplastics: Experts have found tiny plastic particles in air, water and almost every part of the human body. Research has indicated that microplastics could potentially impact your health, especially given their abundance in single-serve bottled water.
• Plastic waste: Disposable bottles contribute to the 400 million tons of plastic waste generated worldwide each year.

Simply put, the reality is that water treatment is only getting more complicated, and current processes may or may not provide as comprehensive levels of filtration as you might expect..

Is Bottled Water Ever Necessary?

There are some cases when single-serve bottled water may be the best choice — for example, when safe supplies aren’t available due to natural disasters, public water system boil alerts or private well contamination. In these extreme cases, it’s especially important to use bottled water if you’re preparing baby formula.

In these cases, you’ll likely get recommendations from an expert, like announcements from local water authorities or public health regulators. If you have a private well whose quality may be compromised, it is important that you get this information yourself from water testing since your water source isn’t regulated or monitored by a third party.

Filtered Tap Water vs. Single-Serve Bottled Water vs. Water Delivery

The good news about single-serve bottled water is that it’s not your only choice. You have two other options, both with plenty of benefits and far fewer potential concerns.

The first alternative is filtered tap water. If you choose the right filtration system for your needs, your home’s drinking water can check all the right boxes — including PFAS and microplastic treatment — without the added cost or pollution of single-serve bottles. Plus, when filtered water comes right from the tap, you won’t have to worry about regularly purchasing and transporting bottled water.

For many people, the best choice is reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water filtration. RO treats a huge variety of contaminants and concerns, including aesthetic issues like unpleasant tastes, odors and colors as well as potential health issues. It also complements other filtration processes to act as a more comprehensive treatment solution.

Browse our drinking water filtration systems.

The second alternative is water delivery. This water comes in reusable 5-gallon jugs, which means you don’t have to worry about plastic waste — and with Culligan, rigorous disinfection and water treatment processes help ensure you’re getting safer, cleaner drinking water every time. On top of that, these jugs are delivered right to your door, so there’s no need to haul them yourself.

No matter what you choose, remember that it pays to take control of your water quality instead of relying on single-serve bottled water companies to handle the details for you.

FAQs About Water Filtration

Do you want to learn more about drinking water? Here are a few FAQs to get you started:

Is All Water the Same?

Across the board, water comes from different sources. That’s just as true for bottled water as it is for city water — and even private wells differ between locations. This means a lot of variables can impact water quality and taste.

For example, water absorbs minerals as it passes through soil, sand and rocks. As a result, that water can have varying components and tastes depending on the local geology. Similarly, if you and your neighbor each have a private well, you may notice different problems depending on how your systems are structured and where they source water. Even two houses connected to the same municipal water system could have varying water quality based on plumbing or other issues.

This is one more reason a home water filtration system is a top choice for water quality. Instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, you’ll have the flexibility to choose solutions that address your home’s unique needs.

Is Bottled Water Better Than Unfiltered Tap Water?

If you don’t have your own water filter, your tap water is generally considered “unfiltered,” even though it went through some level of treatment at a municipal facility (unless it’s from a private well). How does this compare to single-serve bottled water?

Although the specifics may differ, the outcome is the same: Without water testing, you don’t really know what’s in tap or bottled water, as it’s not always easy to identify their source or treatment. That’s why home drinking water filtration is your best bet for reliable, consistent water quality.

What Is Purified Water?

Because RO, distillation and other treatment methods are all technically purification processes, many types of water can be considered purified. However, that’s not to say that they’re “pure.” The truth is that completely pure water doesn’t really exist outside of controlled laboratory conditions — and that’s not a problem, because some additional content in your water can be good for flavor and health. As long as your water is treated effectively, total purity doesn’t need to be the goal.

Make Your Tap Water a Top Choice

If you learned something new about single-serve bottled water and aren’t looking forward to your next sip, don’t worry — a home water filter is just what you need. The right filtration system ensures your home’s tap water is a reliable, refreshing choice, all without the added cost and pollution of disposable bottles.

Are you ready to make your tap water a top choice? Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation today to find out which treatment solutions are right for you.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.