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Bottled or Tap? continued from page 1 <br />Drinking Water Act. As such, the water is constantly an <br />thoroughly tested for harmful substances. If there is a <br />problem, consumers will be warned through the media <br />or other outlets. <br />The fluoride factor <br />An advantage to drinking tap water is that <br />many communities have elected to add fluoride to <br />drinking water to promote strong teeth and <br />prevent tooth decay in residents, though some <br />groups continue to oppose this practice and <br />believe it's detrimental to health. <br />Bottled water often does not have fluoride <br />added to it. Or, if it has been purified through <br />reverse osmosis or distillation, the fluoride may <br />have been removed. People who drink mostly <br />bottled water, especially those who have children, <br />need to be aware of this. They may need to use <br />supplemental fluoride that is available by <br />prescription from dentists or doctors. <br />There are more than 20 brands of bottled <br />water with added fluoride available to consumers <br />today. When fluoride is added to bottled water, the <br />FDA requires that the term "fluoridated," "fluoride added," <br />or "with added fluoride" be used on the label. <br />eping bacteria out of your water - <br />lorine or ozone? <br />Both bottled water and tap water are free of <br />contaminants and other pollutants. One of <br />the primary differences between tap and <br />bottled water, though, is the disinfection <br />method used. With municipal water <br />sources or tap water, chlorine is used to <br />reduce the number of bacteria in the <br />water. Often causing unpleasant tastes <br />and odors, chlorine's side effects are not <br />tolerated by some water drinkers. In <br />addition, chlorine has been linked to <br />some kinds of cancers. <br />On the other hand, most bottled <br />water uses ozone (a type of oxygen) as a <br />disinfectant and it leaves no after-taste or <br />smell.. <br />If you are concerned about bacteria <br />or other contaminants in water, bottled <br />water is virtually the same as tap water. <br />However, if you find the taste of tap water <br />offensive, bottled water maybe your water <br />beverage of choice. <br />FACETS Summer 2003 <br />