Testers sampled non-carbonated, carbonated and mineral waters. They focused mainly on taste, but also had a lab analyze the waters for harmful substances that can occur naturally or stem from treatment procedures. None of the waters tested had contaminants above current standards. Testers found that the major differences in taste were due to what kind of plastic the water bottle is made of. The best carbonated water, Vintage Old Original Seltzer Water, was also the cheapest, at 11 cents a glass.
Mineral waters have very individual tastes.
Vittel and Calistoga were less expensive than the others, at 23 cents per serving. For years, sales of bottled water have been rising. In 1976, Americans drank 1.5 gallons of bottled water per person. In 1999, they drank 15.5 gallons. U.S. Inc. All rights reserved.