Spotlight

For decades, several environmental groups have claimed that US tap water presented a serious public safety hazard. Yet during the past several years, they have refocused efforts on attacking bottled water. Key among their claims is the idea that bottled water does not meet basic regulatory standards that are applied to tap water, suggesting that it could pose a higher risk than tap water. This claim has resonated with the public and is quoted widely by the media and even by public health publications. Yet it is not accurate. Research shows that bottled water standards are at least as rigorous as tap water standards. In fact, bottled water regulations exceed tap water standards in some respects. Policy resolutions Misinformation is producing considerable policy interest in regulating bottled water. In June 2008, the US Conference o