Beyond the Bottle: What is the safest brand of bottled water to drink? A Guide for Your Nutrition Diet

October 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a January 2024 study, bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of microplastic and nanoplastic particles per liter. This statistic highlights why answering the question, 'What is the safest brand of bottled water to drink?', is far more complex than just picking a label off a shelf, requiring a deeper look into a brand's source, purification process, and packaging to find a truly healthy option for your nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the factors determining bottled water safety, including source, purification methods, and problematic plastic packaging. It compares different water types, discusses the risks of microplastics, and explores safer alternatives like glass, aluminum, or filtered tap water.

Key Points

Packaging is Crucial: Opt for bottled water in glass or aluminum to avoid chemical leaching from plastic containers, especially when exposed to heat.
Microplastics are Widespread: Recent studies have confirmed that microplastics are present in almost all bottled water, with potential health implications.
Purification Method Matters: Understand the difference between purified water (often municipal tap water processed with RO) and spring or mineral water (retaining natural minerals from an underground source).
Consider Home Filtration: A home water filtration system is often the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to ensure consistent water purity.
Check Independent Ratings: Consult reports from non-profit organizations like the EWG for independent quality testing, as FDA regulations differ from tap water standards.
Storage Affects Safety: Never store plastic bottled water in direct sunlight or a hot car, as heat accelerates the leaching of harmful chemicals into the water.

Understanding the Myth of a Single “Safest” Brand

Many consumers rely on bottled water, perceiving it as a purer, more reliable alternative to tap water. However, the search for a single “safest” brand is misleading, as the safety and quality of bottled water are influenced by numerous factors, including its source, purification process, and packaging. In the U.S., the FDA regulates bottled water, while the EPA oversees tap water, and the regulations, while stringent, differ. For example, the FDA inspects bottled water facilities every few years, whereas many municipal tap water systems are tested daily. This disparity, along with issues like microplastic contamination, means judging safety by brand alone is insufficient.

The Problem with Plastic Packaging

One of the biggest concerns with many bottled water brands is the packaging itself. The most common type of plastic, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), can leach harmful chemicals into the water, with the risk increasing when exposed to heat or stored for extended periods. Consumer Reports and other organizations have also reported finding heavy metals, PFAS, and other contaminants in some bottled water products. Recent studies have focused on the alarming presence of microplastics and nanoplastics, which break down from the bottle material itself. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has highlighted these issues, emphasizing that the bottled water industry’s own voluntary standards are often not met.

Safer Alternatives to Plastic

Glass Bottles: Glass is non-porous and non-reactive, meaning it will not leach any chemicals into the water, regardless of storage time or temperature. Brands like Mountain Valley Spring Water are excellent examples of high-quality water available in glass packaging.
Aluminum Bottles: Brands like Path Water offer water in recyclable aluminum containers, which also avoid the risks of chemical leaching from plastic.
Reusable Bottles: For daily hydration, using a reusable stainless steel or glass bottle filled with filtered tap water is often the most sustainable and cost-effective solution, eliminating single-use plastic waste and reducing potential exposure to leached chemicals.

Purified vs. Spring vs. Mineral Water

The type of water is another critical factor in determining its safety and mineral content, which can impact your overall nutrition diet.

Purified Water: Often sourced from municipal tap water, purified water undergoes extensive treatment, typically including reverse osmosis (RO) or distillation. This process removes most contaminants, as well as minerals. Brands like Aquafina and Dasani (which adds minerals back) are purified water.

Spring Water: Collected from an underground formation that flows naturally to the surface, spring water is filtered to remove bacteria and contaminants but retains many naturally occurring minerals. Brands like Fiji and Evian are well-known spring waters.

Mineral Water: Derived from a protected underground source, mineral water contains a higher concentration of minerals and trace elements, giving it a distinctive taste. Brands like Smeraldina and Icelandic Glacial are examples of mineral water.

Comparing Different Water Types


Feature	Purified Water	Spring Water	Mineral Water
Source	Municipal tap water or other sources	Underground spring	Protected underground source
Purification	Extensive (RO, distillation), removing most substances	Filtered to remove bacteria and contaminants	Minimal treatment, retaining minerals
Mineral Content	Low, sometimes re-added for taste	Naturally occurring minerals, levels vary	High, defined mineral content
Packaging	Commonly sold in plastic	Available in plastic, glass, or aluminum	Available in plastic or glass
Environmental Impact	Lower carbon footprint than overseas brands; plastic waste concern	Impact from transport and plastic packaging	Impact from transport and packaging, particularly with heavy glass

How to Choose the Safest Water for Your Needs

Given the complexity, the best strategy is to become an informed consumer. If you rely on bottled water, prioritize options in glass or aluminum packaging to reduce your exposure to leached chemicals and microplastics. When choosing a brand, research its purification methods and sourcing practices. Look for brands that are independently tested and transparent about their quality. Websites like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) offer reports and guides on bottled water quality that can be very helpful.

Ultimately, the safest and most sustainable option is often a high-quality home filtration system paired with a reusable glass or stainless steel bottle. This approach gives you maximum control over your water's purity while minimizing environmental impact and long-term costs. For those who prefer bottled water for convenience, making informed decisions based on packaging and processing is key to protecting your health and adhering to a thoughtful nutrition diet.

Conclusion: Control Your Own Purity

Rather than fixating on a single brand, the best way to ensure the safety and purity of your drinking water is to control the variables you can. Prioritize non-plastic packaging like glass or aluminum, consider investing in a home filtration system, and always store bottled water in a cool, dark place to minimize chemical leaching. The 'safest' water isn't necessarily found in a premium-priced plastic bottle but rather in the informed choices you make about how and from what you hydrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, multiple studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in bottled water, with a January 2024 study finding up to 240,000 plastic particles per liter. These particles primarily originate from the plastic bottle and its cap, particularly during manufacturing and storage.

Not necessarily. Spring water retains natural minerals but may still contain contaminants or microplastics from packaging. Purified water undergoes a more aggressive filtering process (like reverse osmosis) that removes most contaminants but also beneficial minerals. The safest choice depends on the specific brand's practices and packaging.

Glass and aluminum are non-reactive and non-porous materials that do not leach chemicals or microplastics into the water. This preserves the water's purity and taste, eliminating risks associated with chemical leaching from plastic, especially when exposed to heat.

No. In the U.S., bottled water is regulated by the FDA, while tap water is regulated by the EPA. Public tap water systems are often tested more frequently and with greater transparency than bottled water, which undergoes self-reporting and less frequent inspections.

To reduce exposure, opt for water bottled in glass or aluminum, or use a reusable stainless steel or glass bottle filled with filtered tap water. Avoid drinking from single-use plastic bottles that have been left in a hot environment or reused multiple times.

Yes, a home water filtration system (such as reverse osmosis) is considered one of the safest and most sustainable alternatives. It allows you to control the purification process and eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles, significantly reducing your environmental footprint.

Exposing plastic bottled water to high temperatures can increase the rate at which chemicals like antimony and bisphenols leach from the plastic into the water. It's recommended to store bottled water in a cool, dark place and avoid leaving it in a vehicle for extended periods.