Water

Water is water, right? Not anymore! Bottled water comes in all sizes and price points, and from a variety of sources. 

Some companies sell bottled water that is really little more than tap water, or it is derived from a municipal source. It might be marketed as "bottled purified water". While it will still be perfectly safe and drinkable, and affordable, it isn't the naturally-sourced water you might be looking for. However, there's nothing wrong with it, particularly if you're on a budget. 

For natural or artesian water, you should look for water that's been bottled from a spring or artesian well. Artesian well water is bottled from a well that contains either sand or rock that acts as an aquifer, which is basically a natural filter for ground water. Spring water is water that is collected from an underground source that flows to the earth's surface. 

While shopping, you’ll also see mineral water. This contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium.  Sparkling water is another popular choice, with this type of water containing naturally occurring carbon dioxide, which may be boosted by the company in the bottling plant. This sort of information should be made clear on the label, so be sure to take a look.

In our eco-friendly age, what the water is bottled in is as important as the water itself. Look at the bottom or back of the bottle for clues on whether or not it can be recycled. Generally speaking, PET (1) and HDPE (2) are easier to recycle, with some councils now refusing other types of plastic. Check local recycling rules to see how they match up against the bottles you see on the shelves.