Earlier this month, MSNBC reported on an important news story: bottled water is less regulated and often more contaminated than tap water. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommend that bottled water companies should disclose the same information provided by municipal water suppliers. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, while tap water is regulated by the EPA.

“Consumers may not realize that many regulations that apply to municipalities responsible for tap water do not apply to companies that produce bottled water,” said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.

For example, the FDA has not set regulations for DEHP, a phthalates, but the EPA limits the level of phthalates in water supplies.

A GAO report found that “consumers often believe that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap water.” But that’s usually not the case. Bottled water is often more contaminated than tap water, in terms of chemical and biological pollutants. Plastic bottles can leach dangerous chemicals like BPA and phtalates into the water.

Richard Wiles of the EWG thinks that consumers should know where their water comes from, how it’s treated, and what is found in it. Currently, most bottled water companies do not supply this information, and the FDA does not require them to do so.

“If the municipal tap water systems can tell their customers this information, you would think that bottled water companies that charge 1,000 times more for this water could also let consumers know the same thing,” said Wiles.

Concerned about your water quality? To be safe, invest in a home water filter along with reusable glass bottles or stainless steel bottles that won’t leach poisonous chemicals into your water.

Since our eco-friendly, non-toxic glass water bottles have been so popular, we’ve been searching for the perfect stainless steel water bottles for you. Aquasana finally delivered with their new Aqua Canteen stainless steel water bottle.

Plastic bottles – even the hard plastic water bottles – can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals like BPA into your water.

Aluminum bottles aren’t any better. They must be lined with a chemical coating to prevent aluminum from getting into your water. If you accidentally scratch the inner lining (which is typically made of plastic), aluminum will leach into your water. Aluminum toxicity can cause severe brain damage, including memory loss, speech problems, and Alzheimer’s disease. It can also cause muscle aches and osteoporosis. Scary! Stay away from aluminum bottles! They’re not worth the risk.

Stainless steel is a neutral metal that doesn’t leach. That’s why silverware and cookware are made of stainless steel. These 304 food-grade stainless steel bottles are the safest on the market. Even the lids are made from steel! (Other leading brands have plastic lids.) Your water will always remain healthy in an AquaCanteen stainless steel water bottle.

The reusable Aqua Canteen bottles are dishwasher-safe – and they’re easy on your wallet and the environment.

Did you know that there’s an island of plastic garbage in the Pacific Ocean that’s twice the size of Texas? It’s known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. That’s right, the world’s largest landfill consists of millions of pounds of plastic floating in the ocean near Hawaii. Stop drinking from disposable plastic water bottles! They are polluting our planet as well as your body. Research shows that bottled water is hazardous to your health.

Invest in a non-toxic, reusable water bottle today.