Tap Water vs. Bottled Water: What's the Difference?

This month's question addresses the difference between tap water and bottled water. The answer first addresses the problem with customers' concerns over taste and odor from tap water, and successful marketing campaigns claiming that bottled water is pure and safe. The article provides a cost comparison of bottled water vs. tap water, points out the environmental and cost impacts of the glass or plastic containers used to bottle water, and discusses the quality of bottled water vs. tap water.