(To anticipate answers: Yes, I know, in the US water often contains large amounts of chlorine and doesn't taste that good. And in poorer countries tap water is often undrinkable. But there's no good reason to buy bottled water if your water supply is reasonable, which is true for large parts of europe at least.)
[0] http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/03/bottled-water...
Municipal water in Florida often has the smell of sulfur, due to the presence of sulfur -- and if I'm remembering correctly, a relative who works at the state equivalent of the EPA told me that it's common in coastal areas due to byproducts of bacteria in the water table. But it's completely harmless.
I can only speak for Florida, though.
There is no doubt that it is not good water. It is so high in salt content that the avocado growers complain about using it. If all you're doing is trying to stay alive then by all means, drink up.
Several people must have read GP "yuck @ tap water" and nodded along, and then down-voted this comment.
However, if you think the USA can provide drinkable water, you'd have downvoted the "yuck" comment, because it is incorrect, and then this one as well.
Or, If you agree with the "yuck" comment, then this poster is correct, and you shouldn't have downvoted them.
Unless some people are really elitist about their drinking water but also really patriotic? idk, it's confusing.
Brussels sprouts are "Yuck". However, they're also perfectly edible and healthy for you. If the US started a national food program that delivered incredibly cheap and healthy food straight to your kitchen, but San Diego was stuck with brussels sprouts as their food option, I would not find that "really and truly sad".
Drinkable does not mean tasty. The comments are making two completely different points.
why not? wouldn't you feel bad for the people in San Diego?
And if water supply is done by quite localized organizations (I think that is the case in the US?) it's often politically difficult to pipe in water from other areas, even where it would be affordable.
I miss the water in Munich...
Likewise, when I go for a long walk or a hike, I carry a bottle along and fill it as needed.
If you want cheap "bottled" water, find a place that has a reverse-osmosis vending machine. Basically, you bring your own bottles (it's better if you get the big 3 or 5-gallon jugs), put them in, put in some money, press a button, and it refills the bottle using the RO equipment in the machine. The cost is generally pretty cheap: $0.25-50 per gallon (I pay $0.37 locally). It's not as cheap as tap obviously, but it's a lot cheaper than gasoline, or pre-packaged bottled water, and a whole lot cheaper than overpriced fancy brands like Evian.
For making beer, I will typically use RO water purchased from the grocery in 5 gallon refillable jugs and build back the mineral profile I want for the particular beer style I'm brewing that day.
Reverse-osmosis treated water is almost dirt cheap. I get mine from the local Walmart, in heavy-duty refillable 3 or 5-gallon jugs. It costs me $0.37 per gallon to refill one of my jugs. At that price, there's no reason to suffer with tap water, for either drinking or cooking. I recommend the 3-gallon jugs though; it's easier to carry them and to pour them into smaller 1-gallon jugs or water bottles at home.
You pretty much explained why many of us drink bottled water, since our supply is not reasonable. :)
Citation needed. Some choice quotes from Wikipedia[1]:
'The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for tap water are "actually stricter than the Food and Drug Administration regulations for bottled water."'
'A study of drinking water in Cincinnati, Ohio, discovered that bacterial counts in bottled water were often higher than those in tap water and fluoride concentration was inconsistent.'
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottled_water#Perceptions_abou...
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/water/news/platinum-award-for-u...
Unless you filter it at home with some effort.
It's not that much effort. If all you care about is taste they sell kits for under $100, and then you don't need the effort of lugging water.
If you have bad tap water, it's not like you can just shop around for another provider. But bottled water does actually compete on taste; I do prefer some brands over others when given the choice.
But I've gotten lucky with fine-tasting tap water, anyway.
Perhaps I am just "sensitive" but something in the tap water gives me headaches.
Are people demanding that their tap water be as good as the best bottled water? If not, why?
On the east coast in a metro that ranks as having one of the best municipal water systems, buying large amounts of bottled water is foreign to me, and only crosses my mind if I'm preparing for inclement weather or an extended road-trip. Though I wish our 'best municipal water' tasted more to my liking, a Brita filter adds a pleasant blend of minerals that tastes close to non-store-brand bottled water.
[1] https://www.lvvwd.com/wq/facts_hard.html
[2] https://www.lvvwd.com/wq/facts_perchlorate.html
[3] http://www.circleofblue.org/2015/world/price-of-water-2015-u...