Control, minerals, price, taste, environment: five rounds between tap and bottle, with a clear result and the two cases in which the bottle wins.
In short
- Control: tap water is tested more often and has stricter limit values.
- Minerals: mineral water can supply more but does not have to; many tap waters are richer in minerals than cheap bottled ones.
- Price and environment: tap water wins by a factor of 100 to 1,000.
- The bottle wins for targeted mineral intake and when the house has lead pipes.
Round 1: control
Tap water falls under the Drinking Water Ordinance (Trinkwasserverordnung) with over 50 limit values and frequent testing. Mineral water falls under the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (Mineral- und Tafelwasserverordnung), whose limit values are in part looser, for example for uranium (no limit value, only a recommendation), manganese and arsenic. Testing is less frequent. Point to tap water.
Round 2: minerals
Mineral water may call itself that if it comes from a protected underground source and is officially recognised. A minimum mineral content is not prescribed. There is mineral water with 50 mg/l total mineralisation and tap water with 600. If you want calcium or magnesium specifically, you will find it on the label, see Reading the label. A draw, with an advantage for the bottle when it comes to targeted intake.
Round 3: price
Tap water costs 0.2 to 0.5 cents per litre. Water from the discount supermarkets costs 19 to 30 cents, branded water 50 cents to over a euro. At two litres a day that comes to 3 euros a year against 150 to 700 euros. A clear point for tap water.
Round 4: environment
Tap water: around 0.3 grams of CO2 per litre. Bottled water: 100 to 500 grams, plus plastic, lorries and deposit-return logistics. The details are in the article Environmental footprint. Point to tap water.
Round 5: taste
In blind tests most people cannot identify their favourite water. Chilled tap water often scores better than lukewarm bottled water. If you do not like the chlorine note or the hardness, chill it, let it stand or filter it. When it comes to sparkling water, the soda maker decides. A draw.
Result
Three to nil for tap water, with two draws. The bottle wins in two cases: when you need a particular mineral profile (sport, pregnancy, calcium needs, low sodium for babies), and when your house has old pipes, until they have been replaced. In all other cases tap water is the better, cheaper and cleaner choice. Whether your pipes are in order is something the Tap water check can tell you.
Try it out
Tap water checkEight questions about your home, pipes and region, an assessment with a traffic light and next steps.Plastic savings calculatorHow many bottles, how much plastic, how much money and CO2 you save per year if you switch.Frequently asked questions
Is table water the same as mineral water?
No. Table water (Tafelwasser) may be made from tap water to which minerals and carbon dioxide have been added. Spring water comes from a spring but does not have to be officially recognised.
Is tap water free in restaurants?
In Germany there is no entitlement to it, and many restaurateurs charge a small amount or refuse. In France and Italy free tap water is more common.
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