A recent survey shows that about 64% of bottled water in the U.S. comes from municipal sources—essentially the same tap water found in homes. Some brands do little to purify it, occasionally exceeding contamination limits and raising concerns about quality and transparency.

Brands like Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Food’s Acadia have faced criticism for high contamination, at times surpassing California’s safety standards. In contrast, Gerber Pure, Nestlé Pure Life, and Penta Ultra-Purified Water have been praised for clearly disclosing water sources and purification methods.

Despite sleek packaging and marketing, bottled water isn’t always safer. Tap water in the U.S. is often more strictly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Studies have even found pollutants like arsenic and microplastics in some bottled options.

For many consumers, tap water may actually be the safer and more reliable choice.