The increasing popularity of bottled water results from consumers being more aware of the quality of the water they drink. The major difference between tap water and bottled water is determined by how the water is disinfected. Tap water is primarily disinfected with chlorine at water treatment works in South Africa and is slightly overdosed to leave a little chlorine in the water to keep the water pathogen free until it reaches the taps in your home.
This process relies on the effective functioning of the drinking water treatment works, which probably only happens if you live in a big city. Across the country, about 46% of drinking water is classified as “unacceptable”, and the quality of tap water in many towns and cities have substantially declined in the past decade, according to a 2024 study by the Centre of Water Research and Development at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Types of bottled water:
Not all bottled water is created equal, but consumers can learn much about the quality of bottled water from the label. Bottled water is regarded as a food product in South Africa and is governed by the Department of Health, according to which there are three main types of bottled water, namely natural water, water defined by origin, and prepared water.
- Natural water: About 70% of all bottled water in South Africa is natural water. Natural water is obtained directly from a natural underground source and is bottled under hygienic conditions near the source, such as natural spring water and natural mineral water. Spring water is sourced from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth and which is collected from the spring or from a borehole tapping the underground formation. Mineral water is obtained directly from subsurface water-bearing strata, which contains mineral salts in various proportions. Sparkling water is usually either mineral or spring water with carbon dioxide added before bottling.
- Water defined by origin: About 20% of all bottled water in South Africa is water defined by origin. This refers to water originating from a natural environmental source such as a spring or borehole, but as it has been exposed to the environment and undergoes antimicrobial treatment, water in this category may not be called “natural”.
- Prepared water: Approximately 10% or all bottled water in South Africa is prepared water. Prepared water is from an underground or municipal source, which has undergone antimicrobial treatment that alters the original physical or chemical properties of the water. Prepared water has normally undergone reverse osmosis and ozonation as a minimum. Treatments that are permissible include antimicrobial treatment; removal or reduction of chemical substances above prescribed maximum limits; and remineralization. Prepared water is safe for drinking.
Labelling of bottled water: According to South African regulations the source and composition of the bottled water must be declared in advertising and on the label. The concentration of a number of constituents must be declared on the label in units of milligrams per liter, namely calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, total alkalinity, nitrate, and fluoride.
Members of the South African National Bottled Water Association have to comply with bottled water related legislation and regulations. The Association warns that members of the public may be at risk from fly-by-night operators who do not comply with regulations, such as hotels, restaurants, or retailers that fill and sell bottled water under their own labels, some of which may be from countertop filtration systems on their premises. This water is seldom bottled in specialized facilities and does not go through any controls and testing procedures.
Bottled water treatment processes:
Some bottled water comes from surface water sources and requires additional treatment such as filtration and disinfection.
- Ozonation: Water is disinfected using ozone gas, which kills most microbes and not only disinfects, but also purifies water. Ozonation plants are less expensive to install than reverse osmosis water treatment plants, but are not as effective at removing dissolved minerals and other contaminants. Ozonation is a method of killing off microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses in the water, but is not designed to remove unwanted minerals from water.
- Reverse osmosis: Reverse osmosis treatment plants remove impurities and dissolved minerals from water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane. This process can remove a broader range of contaminants than ozonation, including viruses, bacteria, and minerals. Reverse osmosis lowers total dissolved solids to regulate mineral and chemical content of the water.
Where surface water is treated to be used for bottled water, ozonation is usually used together with reverse osmosis and the ozonator can be installed either before or after the reverse osmosis treatment.
Hydrogen water:
Hydrogen water has gained popularity amongst the health conscious and fitness crowd, as it has been touted to have a variety of purported health benefits.
Water consists of two atoms oxygen and one atom hydrogen. Hydrogen water is simply regular water with more hydrogen added. It has become a popular health product and is often sold in fancy containers, as it is claimed that the added hydrogen is more accessable to the cells in the body, and it acts as an antioxidant.
Some studies have found that hydrogen water might improve athletic performance due to its antioxidant effects on muscle fatigue, while other studies found no significant improvements in athletic performance.
As hydrogen acts as an antioxidant, it may help to reduce inflammation. Although a 2020 study found that participants drinking hydrogen water over four weeks had greater antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammatory responses, studies on this are limited and more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The most evident nutritional benefit of drinking hydrogen water is that it acts as a source of hydration for the body – just like regular water.
Heavy water:
What is heavy water and is it safe to drink?
Heavy water is a compound made up of oxygen and deuterium, which is a heavier isotope of hydrogen, which is denoted as 2H or D. Heavy water is usually denoted by the chemical formula D2O.
The most common use of heavy water is as an integral part of nuclear reactors, where it is used as a coolant and a neutron moderator.
Although heavy water is usually associated with nuclear reactors and radioactive materials, pure heavy water is not radioactive and not harmful to humans in small quantities. It is harmful and dangerous to our health in large quantities or when taken over long periods of time, when poisoning may occur.
Conclusion:
The biggest benefits of tap water are its low cost and convenience, while the biggest advantages of bottled water are that it is safe to drink and convenient to carry with you, as taking regular sips will ensure you are properly hydrated at all times.
Over the past few years bottled water consumption has grown significantly as it is considered safer and better tasting than tap water, especially as the safety of tap water may vary based on your location. Wits has found that 46% of tap water in South Africa is of “unacceptable” standard and deteriorating.
To be on the safe side when buying bottled water, it is advisable to identify the type of water from the label and to see if the different constituents are included on the label, as is required of a reputable bottler.
References:
Common treatment for bottled water. Published online. APEC Water. (Advanced Purification Engineering Corporation). (www.freedrinkingwater.com)
Bottled water – know what you are buying. Published online. APEC Water. (Advanced Purification Engineering Corporation). (www.freedrinkingwater.com)
What is the difference between an ozonator and reverse osmosis water treatment plants? Published online. Quora. (www.quora.com)
What is bottled water and what is not? Published online. SANBWA. (South African National Bottled Water Association. (www.sanbwa.org.za)
Types of bottled water. Published online. Rand Water. Johannesburg. South Africa. (Largest bulk water utility in Africa.) (www.randwater.co.za)
Is water in SA cities safe to drink? Published 13 March 2024. Centre of Water Research and Development. University of the Witwatersrand. (Wits). Johannesburg. South Africa. (www.wits.ac.za)
Bottled water. Published online. IBWA. (International Bottled Water Association.) (www.bottledwater.org)
Labeling requirements of bottled water. Published 5 January 2016. GOLEGAL. RSA. (www.golegal.co.za)
Hydrogen water: Are there health benefits? Published 21 March 2023. WebMD. (www.webmd.com)
Health benefits of hydrogen water. Published 29 March 2024. Health. (www.health.com)
Heavy water. Published online. Britannica. (www.britannica.com)
What is heavy water? Published online. BYJU’S. (Learning content.) (www.byjus.com)
HEALTH INSIGHT
