Tap water
Today, when they wonder what water to drink, the French no longer hesitate to turn to tap water. Confidence increased year after year, since three in four French people say they have confidence in the quality of their running water (source: Harris Interactive survey, 2016). Drinking tap water should be palatable, but it should also be odorless and balanced with mineral salts. In 2013, the regulatory threshold for the presence of lead in drinking water was further lowered to match the WHO recommendations.
Knowing the cycle of tap water also helps to realize that it is extremely controlled. 66% of it comes from groundwater and 34% from surface water (lakes, rivers, rivers). From this first stage, the water must have a certain quality. Thus, the drinking water catchments which turn out to be polluted are abandoned. Once captured, the water then passes through a treatment station. The Regional Health Agency then checks the composition and quality of the water. In total, no less than 70 criteria are screened (pesticides, heavy metals, PH, temperature …). Once these checks have been carried out, the water is then stored in water towers or in underground tanks, before being pressurized and then distributed to homes. Once consumed, the wastewater is sent to the sanitation circuits, before reaching the sewers and then being expelled to the treatment plants. Once treated, they will join the surface water and can be pumped back.
Tap water is also provided with mineral salts (calcium, magnesium, fluorine …). The mineral content of tap water actually depends on the soil and rocks with which the water will come into contact.
In all cases, the health authorities ensure that tap water does not present any health contraindication. You should also know that limestone does not present any health hazards: it is actually calcium carbonate, rich in calcium and magnesium.
To know : Tap water can be consumed by everyone, including babies, in most regions of France. In fact, tap water is suitable in 98% of cases (check with your town hall or the departmental health and social affairs department). However, do not use it if your home was built before 1948, as the plumbing may be lead. Also take various precautions, such as letting the water run for several seconds before filling the bottle, and boiling the water before the baby is 6 months old.
The tip in + : Let the tap water stand in a water pitcher for 12 hours, as the chemicals that may be present are very volatile. To remove the taste of chlorine, you can also put water in the fridge for 1 hour.
Good shopping plan: Supporters of tap water, adopt a nice carafe to keep your water in the fridge. In addition, it adds a little cachet to your table when placed there! Say goodbye to plastic bottles and switch to the glass carafe. Lot of 4 glass bottles (cont. 1L), to shop here.
Spring water
Spring water comes from underground aquifers. It is subject to the same drinkability criteria as tap water, which therefore means that its quality is extremely controlled. On the other hand, it does not undergo disinfection treatment, since it is pure from its origin.
To know : Unlike mineral water, its composition is not stable because it can be picked up at different places in a region.
The additional tip: Check the labels to find out more about its composition, since spring water does not have a stable formula. This will guide you according to your needs.
Mineral water
Like spring water, mineral water also comes from groundwater. However, it is not subject to the same regulations as tap water. Thus, certain waters would be refused for reasons of non-compliance with the drinkability criteria. For example, the authorized fluorine content is 1.5 mg / liter for drinking water, compared to 5 mg / liter for mineral water.
Unlike spring water, the composition of the water must remain stable. Mineral water undergoes almost no treatments except the management of the content of iron, fluorine etc, and no disinfection. The differences between mineral waters lie in the differences in mineralization: calcium, magnesium, fluorine, sodium, sulphates …
To know : Certain mineral waters are not recommended for people suffering from hypertension because they are too rich in sodium: this is the case of Vichy Celestins (1172 mg / l), St Yorre (1708 mg / l), or Arvie (650 mg / l) for example. People with kidney problems should be careful with waters containing a lot of calcium like Hepar (549 mg / l), Courmayeur (576 mg / l), Contrex (468 mg / l), Salvetat (160 mg / l), Quézac ( 170 mg / l), Saint Amand (176 mg / l), San Pellegrino (164 mg / l), Vittel (240 mg / l), Badoit (190 mg / l) … Conversely, we recommend them the waters of Evian, Mont Roucous, Perrier, Spa Barisart, Spa Reine, Valvert or Volvic.
For babies, also choose weakly mineralized waters (total mineralization equal to or less than 1000 mg / liter). Also pay attention to the fluorine content when the baby is already supplemented. If this is the case, the water should not contain more than 0.3 mg per liter, compared to 0.5 mg per liter for children not receiving any supplementation. Finally, the nitrates should not exceed 10 mg per liter. The waters of Mont Roucous, Montcalm, Wattwiller, Thonon and Evian are often cited as being adapted to the needs of babies. Sometimes, on the advice of the doctor, the baby may be given mineral water bottles containing a good dose of magnesium to treat temporary constipation.
The tip in + : People lacking calcium (especially seniors) can turn to waters that are highly endowed with it (cited above). For people suffering from constipation problems, it is in their interest to drink mineral waters rich in magnesium such as Hepar 110 mg / L, Quézac 95 mg / L, Badoit 85 mg / L, Contrex 84 mg / L, Courmayeur 67 mg / L. Magnesium is also renowned for its anti-stress properties.
Filtered water
The filter jugs and filters that are fitted directly to the tap have already won over a large number of French people. Filter jugs were designed in the 1960s to remove residual lead from pipes, which is the cause of lead poisoning. Today, they are used to improve the taste of tap water, sometimes considered too chlorinated or too limey. They thus make it possible to soften the water, which can be used, for example, for preparing tea or pasta (which becomes less sticky).
To know : It is essential to change the cartridge of the filter carafes every 30 days, otherwise the water will regain a chlorinated or calcareous taste. Even more annoying, these activated carbon cartridges can become breeding grounds for bacteria if they are not changed regularly. It is also recommended that the filtered water does not come into contact with certain metal or ceramic utensils when the water is heated.
The additional tip: keep the carafe and filtered water in the fridge and consume it within 24 hours.
Good shopping plan : the Brita filter carafe which improves the taste and odor of food and drink. Available in several colors to order online.
What water should I drink: a question of price?
Finally, be aware that there are real price differences between all these waters.
Logically, it is tap water that costs the least with € 0.003 / liter on average. It is followed by filtered water at 0.06 € / liter, then spring water at 0.20 € / liter, and finally mineral water up to 0.40 € / liter.
But whatever your choice of water in the end: proper hydration every day is essential for the body to function properly and to avoid dehydration. So don't hesitate to slip a small bottle of water or a small, easy-to-fill gourd in your purse so that you can drink regularly throughout the day.
To read also on aufeminin:
> How to know the quality of tap water?
> How to avoid dehydration?
> What alternative to the plastic water bottle?