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Having lived in both dorms and campus apartments, I can tell you that many students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ use a Brita filter, but many also choose to buy their water by the gallon. If you have ever shopped for water, you've likely noticed that bottled water is a surprisingly diverse product. What is the difference between buying spring water rather than distilled water? How about purchasing water that is pH-balanced, mineralized, electrolyte-infused, or carbonated? And why not just drink tap?

Tap Water: Good or Bad?

The most common way to source water is by tap, which provides water from either an underground well or a public water system. Public water systems are required to be inspected by the municipalities that manage them, whereas private wells need to be inspected upon request. The is treated and pressurized by the New York State Health Department.

Tap water can still vary, though. notes some key traits:

Mineral content: When water is high in calcium and/or magnesium, it is considered "hard." Conversely, "soft" water is low in calcium and/or magnesium. 
pH: Water acidity and alkalinity indicate the condition of the pipes through which it is traveling. Acidic water is more likely to corrode pipes and become laced with metal contaminants. Thankfully, the of 1974 empowers the EPA to aggressively enforce safety regulations to protect tap water drinkers from unsafe water. 

Tap water is very safe overall, but if you are unsure of the condition of the pipes that supply your water, you should either contact your municipality or your private water supplier. Now, how about bottled water?

Bottled Water: Better or Worse?

Just as tap water is monitored by the government, the FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of all types of bottled water. Like tap water, too, there are many varieties of bottled water:

• Distilled water is produced by boiling tap water and collecting the condensed steam. This process strips the water of chlorine but also of essential minerals.
• Spring water is groundwater that surfaces from an underground . Depending on where it comes from, spring water may or may not contain trace minerals, but it must always be purified.
• Mineral water is used interchangeably with spring water, but they are different. Mineral water contains a certain amount of dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, whereas spring water may contain none. These unique mineral combinations create unique tastes, which is why some people prefer mineral water from one region over another.
• Electrolyte waters are tricky. For an electrolyte drink to be effective, it should contain potassium and sodium levels . Unlike mineral water, though, there is no minimum requirement for electrolyte drinks to meet. Some brands may sneak onto their labels that the electrolytes are only "added for taste," likely indicating that there are not enough minerals in the beverage to replace those that are lost during exercise.

The Verdict

Bottled water is not inherently bad for you, but it is sold by brands that have more influence on the regulatory process than a municipal water supplier. While bottled water may taste better to some people, tap water is generally a very reliable alternative when potable. If you are stuck deciding which type of water is "better," you should take your personal physical needs and finances into consideration. Tap water at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is free, which I find preferable to paying $48 for a six-pack of Evian water. However, you can rest assured that you are not harmed when you choose one water over another. Just make sure you are !