It’s understandable that Americans are concerned about water quality these days. Not only is the news filled with stories about unsafe drinking water, but we are also constantly bombarded by marketing messages trying to convince us that bottled water is better than tap water. A lot of the time, the water coming out of the tap tastes bad — so there has to be something wrong with it, right?
It is indeed true that many American communities no longer have access to safe drinking water. Recent data from the Environmental Working Group reveal that 324 contaminants have been detected in drinking water across nearly 50,000 water systems, with over 143 million Americans having PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in their tap water. Adding to concerns, the EPA’s National Public Water Systems Compliance Report found that only 72 percent of public water systems had no reported violations of drinking water standards in 2023.
Even for Americans whose taps deliver unsafe water, there is no assurance that what’s in the bottle is safer — and the plastic bottle itself poses a significant health risk. It is also untrue that bad-tasting water is necessarily bad water. Take a few minutes to understand the issue and make safe choices.
Water Flavor
Absolutely pure distilled water tastes awful and is not very healthy in large quantities or for prolonged consumption, as it can leach minerals from your body.
Most of the flavor in water comes from dissolved minerals. Not only do minerals affect flavor, but they also improve the healthful qualities of the water. Sometimes, contamination can affect the taste of water, but most of the bad-tasting contaminants are not hazardous.
Many of the most dangerous pollutants do not affect the flavor of the water. You can’t tell by taste if your water is safe, but it is not hard to find out precisely what is in your water. The EWG Tap Water Database enables you to search by zip code to identify contaminants detected in your local water supply and receive recommendations for suitable filters.
You should not drink dirty water, but even if your water is clean, you may not feel like drinking it if it tastes unpleasant. And that’s a problem because staying hydrated is a fundamental healthy behavior that benefits every part of the body.
Tap Taste Fixes
Many of the fixes for bad-tasting tap water are the same ones used for contamination.
The CDC’s updated guidance on water filtration systems and home water treatment provides comprehensive information about different filter types and what they remove. The key is choosing a filter that addresses your specific water quality issues.
Modern Filtration Technologies
Water filtration technology has advanced significantly over the past few years. According to industry trend reports, several new technologies are making filtration more effective:
- Advanced membrane filtration: These systems, including those that use nanofiltration and ultrafiltration processes, can remove particles as small as 0.001 microns, effectively eliminating bacteria, viruses, and many chemicals
- PFAS removal: MIT researchers have developed silk and cellulose-based filtration materials that can remove these “forever chemicals” and heavy metals while resisting bacterial fouling
- Smart filtration systems: AI-enabled systems that monitor water quality in real-time and automatically adjust filter settings for optimal performance are beginning to appear on the market
- UV and ozone technologies: These chemical-free purification methods neutralize harmful microorganisms without leaving residues
Choosing the Right Filter
Whole-house filtration systems or water softeners may not be necessary if taste is the only problem. But the CDC notes that refrigerator and pitcher filters that improve flavor may be ineffective at eliminating dangerous contaminants like PFAS or heavy metals.
For comprehensive contaminant removal, reverse osmosis systems remain highly effective. These systems can remove lead, copper, chromium, arsenic, PFAS, and many other contaminants. However, they also remove beneficial minerals and require more maintenance than simpler filters.
Keeping water cold in the refrigerator can minimize the likelihood of it tasting bad.
The Bottled Water Problem
Many Americans turn to bottled water when their tap water is foul, but recent research has revealed serious concerns about this “solution.”
Recent research has changed our understanding of microplastic contamination in bottled water. Columbia University and Rutgers researchers found approximately 240,000 detectable plastic fragments in a typical liter of bottled water, with about 90% being nanoplastics smaller than 1 micrometer, 10 to 100 times more plastic particles than earlier studies had detected.
According to a comprehensive review published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, people who regularly drink bottled water consume an additional 90,000 microplastic particles annually compared to those who primarily drink tap water.
Health Implications
While federal agencies, such as the FDA, state that current evidence doesn’t demonstrate that microplastics pose a proven health risk, emerging research is raising concerns. A Concordia University review links microplastic exposure to respiratory diseases, reproductive issues, neurotoxicity, potential carcinogenic effects, and hormonal disruption.
Nanoplastics are particularly concerning because their tiny size allows them to cross biological barriers and potentially accumulate in organs, including the brain, placenta, and bloodstream. These particles can also carry toxic chemical additives — at least 25% of the 16,000 chemicals found in plastics are classified as hazardous, including phthalates, PFAS, and heavy metals.
A Gourmet Glass
Since even water filters have some environmental drawbacks, look for the smallest solution that will make your water palatable.
You can make the best of a bad situation by approaching the problem with flair instead of relying on technology. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of juice in your water glass will mask most unpleasant water flavors. To maximize results without the per-glass effort, you can make creative infusions of all kinds of fruit by the pitcher. (Remember to drink it before the fruit goes bad.)
If all else fails, there is some evidence that drinking tea instead of plain water daily may have health benefits.
Clean, safe drinking water should be accessible to everyone. By understanding what’s in your water and choosing the proper treatment method, you can ensure your family stays healthy and hydrated without contributing to plastic pollution or unnecessary expense.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on October 1, 2019, and was substantially updated in October 2025.
