Mineral water

[Dan Glebitts]

in bottles of water eg volic or evian there is a list on the the side called the "typical analysis" listing the minerals in the water eg calcium, magnesium, sodium etc.
if i want to buy some good quality water (tap water does me fine, but hypothetically) what should i look for, ingredients/mineral wise and what would you choose to drink.
What is the difference between mineral water and hard/soft tap water, i mean why should we buy it instead of get it out of the tap? and finally should we spend money on overpriced H2O?

[Ethel]

Time and time again scientists have stated that tap water is at least as good as bottled for drinking.

http://www.davidmccandless.com/articles/fuss_b ottled_water.htm

http://www.dimaggio.org/Eye-Openers/drinking_b ottled_water.htm

Advantages include:

1. It is far cheaper than bottled
2. It is much better for the environment - think of all those plastic bottles.
3. It is fresher - look at the shelf life of bottled water - up to 2 years!

I only ever buy bottled water in an emergency - when I'm out for far longer than I expected and have no option if I want a drink.

[Gef]

Excellent answer from Ethel especially about the plastic bottles. All water (except distilled/deionised) has minerals dissolved in it. Hard water has more than soft.

If you don't like the taste of your tap water just add some diluting juice to it.

If you are going out for the day just fill up an old plastic bottle.

If you like a cold drink at home don't run the tap for ages and waste water. Just fill up a jug or old bottle and put it in the fridge the night before.

I'm not an eco-warrior but just trying to do a bit for the environment and not waste money.