When people grab a bottle of water from the store shelf, they usually expect it to be cleaner, fresher, or somehow “better” than what comes out of the kitchen faucet. But according to a recent survey, that assumption doesn’t always hold up. In fact, nearly 64% of bottled water sold in the United States actually comes straight from municipal sources—the same tap water that runs into homes, offices, and schools.

This revelation has left many Americans questioning not just the price they pay for bottled water but also the trust they place in major beverage companies. For years, marketing campaigns have convinced consumers that bottled water is a premium product, sourced from pristine mountain springs or natural artesian wells. While that may be true for some brands, a large share of bottled water is essentially just repackaged tap water, sometimes run through minimal filtration before being sealed in plastic bottles.

What the Study Found

The survey showed that almost two-thirds of bottled water comes from public water systems. While some brands use advanced purification processes like reverse osmosis, others do little more than basic treatment. Even more concerning, a handful of brands have been reported to occasionally exceed safe contamination limits, raising red flags about transparency and accountability.

The issue isn’t that municipal water is inherently unsafe. In most U.S. cities, tap water is subject to strict federal and state regulations under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The water is tested regularly for a wide range of contaminants, from bacteria to heavy metals. But when that same water is sold in bottles, the oversight shifts to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA rules aren’t always as rigorous as those for tap water, and bottled water companies aren’t required to disclose their exact sources unless they market the water as “spring” or “artesian.”

Why People Still Choose Bottled Water

If bottled water is so often just tap water, why do Americans spend billions of dollars on it every year? The answer lies in convenience, taste, and perception. Bottled water is portable, easy to grab on the go, and often tastes different due to added filtration. For some, bottled water also feels like a safer option, especially when traveling or in areas where local tap water has had issues in the past.

Marketing also plays a huge role. Glossy ads and sleek labels showing snow-capped mountains or bubbling springs create an image of purity that tap water can’t compete with, even if the two are nearly identical in content.

The Problem with Transparency

One of the biggest concerns highlighted by the study is the lack of transparency from major bottled water brands. Many do not openly disclose where their water comes from or what specific purification processes they use. When asked, some companies only provide vague statements about “rigorous quality control” without offering concrete details.

This lack of openness has fueled consumer frustration. If more than half of bottled water is essentially municipal tap water, shouldn’t companies be upfront about it? Critics argue that withholding this information not only misleads buyers but also undermines public trust in both bottled water brands and the broader beverage industry.

The Value Question

Then there’s the issue of cost. A gallon of tap water in the U.S. typically costs less than half a cent, while a gallon of bottled water can run anywhere from $1 to $8 depending on the brand. That’s hundreds, even thousands, of times more expensive than the water that flows from the faucet.

When you consider that much of that bottled water is the same as what’s available at home, the markup becomes difficult to justify. For many consumers, what they’re really paying for isn’t better water—it’s the plastic bottle, the convenience, and the branding.

What You Can Do as a Consumer

So, what’s the takeaway for everyday Americans? First, don’t assume bottled automatically means safer or purer. In many cases, your local tap water may be just as good, if not better. Second, if you prefer bottled water, take a closer look at the label. If it says “from a municipal source” or “from a public water system,” it’s essentially filtered tap water. If you’re paying for something marketed as “spring” or “artesian,” check whether the company provides proof of that source.

Finally, consider alternatives. Investing in a home filtration system and carrying a reusable bottle not only saves money but also cuts down on plastic waste, which remains a huge environmental concern.

The Bigger Picture

The bottled water industry thrives on perception. While it offers convenience and peace of mind in certain situations, the reality behind the label is far less glamorous than the marketing suggests. With nearly two-thirds of bottled water coming from the same taps Americans already use, it’s worth asking whether the higher price tag truly reflects higher value—or if it’s simply a case of clever branding.