[MyPemCharlie]

The US has some of the best and safest tap water quality standards in the world. Documents noting chemical types and levels from water suppliers must be made public at minimum annually as required by the EPA. Here in Austin, a water quality report is published on the internet monthly, and we enjoy very good quality tap water.

Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, but if the water is sold in the same state as it is bottled, has virtually no regulation. About a year ago, I heard news reports stating that bottled water can have many more polutants and chemicals than most cities' unfiltered kitchen tap water. I found out that most bottled water sold in my city is actually just bottled San Antonio or Houston tap water (no additional purification or treatment). Needless to say, I quit buying bottled water for $1/bottle and went back to the tap for pennies.

For people concerned about their local water quality, I would agree that home filtering of tap water is probably the best option (for US residents).