Bottled Water Safety Under Scrutiny: Study Uncovers Organic and Microbial Risks

While bottled drinking water is often considered a safe and convenient alternative to tap water, recent research has raised serious concerns about its quality. A pioneering study published in Water Environment Research (2025) has revealed that bottled water from various countries contains dissolved organic matter (DOM) components that may pose a significant threat to public health.

🔍 Key Findings from the Study

The study, titled "Fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in bottled drinking water of different countries: A potential risk to public health" investigated bottled water samples from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Australia, India, Singapore, Norway, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Researchers used three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy combined with a parallel factor (PARAFAC) model to identify DOM characteristics and microbial indicators.

The analysis detected a high prevalence of tyrosine- and tryptophan-like fluorophores in 83.3% of samples, which are typically associated with microbial activity. Notably, the presence of tryptophan-like components—a known marker for Escherichia coli—placed 84% of the bottled water samples into the medium to very high microbial risk categories.

Additionally, a bottled water brand in Vietnam exhibited significantly higher concentrations of humic substances compared to others. This finding is especially concerning because humic substances can bind with arsenic (As) to form organometallic complexes, potentially increasing the risk of peripheral vascular diseases such as black foot disease.

In Bangladesh, several samples contained elevated levels of toxic minerals, including lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), and phosphate (PO4^3-), which exceeded safe limits. Chronic exposure to these minerals is associated with severe health outcomes, including cognitive impairment, disruption of red blood cell production, neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and reproductive system damage.

📉 Comparative Analysis and Treatment Limitations

Interestingly, the study found that DOM levels in bottled water from most countries (excluding Japan) were comparable to or higher than those found in groundwater, freshwater, and even marine water. This highlights the inefficiency of conventional bottled water treatment processes in removing DOM and microbial contaminants.

The authors also emphasized that economic and institutional factors—such as budget constraints, limited technical knowledge, and a lack of public awareness—contribute to the insufficient monitoring and inadequate treatment of bottled drinking water in many regions.

This study challenges the perception of bottled water as inherently safer than tap water. In fact, the results suggest that without proper treatment and monitoring, bottled water may expose consumers to hidden microbial and chemical hazards.

💧A Greener, Safer Alternative: Tap Water with BWT Filtration 

In response to growing concerns about bottled water safety and plastic waste, many countries are actively promoting the use of tap water as a sustainable alternative. Governments in Australia, Canada, and the United States have already taken steps such as banning single use bottled water in public facilities and encouraging the use of refill stations and public fountains.

Tap water, when properly treated, is not only safer but also far more environmentally friendly. At BWT, we are committed to making tap water the best choice for both health and sustainability. Our advanced filtration solutions—installed conveniently under the sink or integrated into water dispensers—remove taste-disturbing substances like chlorine and harmful heavy metals while enriching the water with essential minerals such as magnesium.

👉 By choosing BWT’s filtration systems, households can proactively safeguard their health against hidden risks found in bottled water—while enjoying clean, mineral-enriched tap water right at home.

Source: Water Environment Research