The Healthiest Water to Drink: Science, Best Options & How to Choose

Finding the healthiest water to drink is a goal for many people today. With so many options on the shelf—from bottled water to alkaline water—it can be confusing to know what's best. This guide cuts through the marketing to give you a clear look at the cleanest, safest, and most beneficial types of drinking water. We'll explore what the science says so you can choose the best water for hydration and your unique health needs.

At a Glance: What Makes Water the Healthiest?

The term “healthiest water” means water that is safe, free from harmful contaminants, and sometimes enriched with beneficial minerals. The top priority, according to health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is to drink enough water that is safe.

Here is a quick comparison of the most common different types of water:

Water Type	Key Features	Main Pros & Cons	Best For You If...
Tap Water	Sourced from municipal supplies; treated and regulated.	Pros: Affordable, accessible, environmentally friendly. Cons: Quality varies by location; may contain disinfection byproducts or contaminants from old pipes.	You have a safe, reliable municipal water supply and want a low-cost, eco-friendly option. A water filter can add an extra layer of safety.
Mineral Water	Sourced from a protected underground water source; contains natural minerals and trace elements.	Pros: Provides essential minerals like calcium and magnesium; often has a distinct taste. Cons: Can be expensive; some types are high in sodium.	You want to boost your mineral intake and enjoy a natural taste. Check the label for mineral content and sodium levels.
Spring Water	Water comes from underground sources and is collected at the spring.	Pros: Often has a clean, refreshing taste; naturally filtered. Cons: Water quality depends heavily on the source's purity and bottling process.	You prefer the taste of natural, minimally processed water and trust the source is clean and protected.
Purified Water	Tap water or groundwater that has been treated to remove impurities. Common methods include reverse osmosis (RO), distillation, or carbon filtration.	Pros: Very high purity; consistent safety. Cons: Lacks beneficial minerals, which are removed during purification.	You are concerned about your local water quality or have a compromised immune system. This offers a high degree of purity.
Alkaline Water	Has a higher pH level (typically 8-9) than regular drinking water. Can be naturally alkaline or artificially ionized.	Pros: Some people prefer the silky taste. Cons: Health claims are not strongly supported by science; can be costly.	You enjoy the taste and are not relying on it for unproven health benefits.
Distilled Water	A type of purified water that has been boiled into vapor and condensed back into liquid, leaving solids behind.	Pros: The purest form of H₂O; free of all minerals and contaminants. Cons: Flat taste; lacks minerals. Not recommended for regular drinking.	You need mineral-free water for medical devices (like CPAP machines) or specific lab uses.
Well Water	Sourced from a private well drilled into an underground aquifer.	Pros: No water bills; can be a very pure water source. Cons: High risk of contamination if not regularly tested and treated.	You live in a rural area and are committed to regularly testing and maintaining your well system.

What the Science Says: Criteria for Healthy Drinking Water

So, what exactly are experts looking for in healthy water? It comes down to a few key factors.

First and foremost, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the top priority is ensuring your water is safe to drink. This means it must be free from harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants.

Here are the core criteria that define high-quality drinking water:

Purity and Contaminants: The best water is free from harmful substances like heavy metals (lead, arsenic), industrial chemicals (PFAS, or “forever chemicals”), pesticides, and microorganisms. Your local municipal water report can tell you what’s in your tap water.
Mineral Content: Minerals like calcium and magnesium are vital for your body. Calcium supports bone health, while magnesium is important for muscle and nerve function. Mineral water naturally contains these, and some studies suggest it can contribute to a person's daily mineral water intake. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure of all the minerals and salts in water.
pH Level: The pH level tells you if water is acidic or alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral. Drinking water has a neutral pH or is slightly alkaline. While there is a lot of buzz around alkaline water, most experts agree that your body does an excellent job of maintaining its pH balance on its own.
Source: Where does the water come from? A protected underground spring is very different from a municipal reservoir. The water source affects its taste, mineral profile, and potential exposure to pollution.

Hydration Basics: How Much Water Do You Need?

Before worrying about the type of water, are you getting enough? Drinking enough water is important for energy, brain function, and overall health. The general advice is to aim to drink around eight glasses of water per day, but your needs may vary based on:

Age: Children and older adults can become dehydrated more easily.
Activity Level: You need to drink more water if you exercise or have a physically demanding job.
Health Status: Certain medical conditions or medications can affect your hydration needs.
Climate: You need more water in hot or humid weather.

Comparative Guide: Types of Drinking Water Analyzed

Let’s take a closer look at the water different types to help you make an informed choice.

Tap Water

For many people, the healthiest water to drink flows right from the kitchen faucet. In developed countries like the U.S., tap water is generally safe and strictly regulated. The EPA sets legal limits on over 90 contaminants in drinking water.

Pros: It's incredibly affordable and accessible. Using tap water also reduces plastic waste from bottled water, making it a more sustainable choice.
Cons: The safety of tap water can vary. Aging pipes can leach lead or other metals into the water. Some people are also concerned about the small amounts of chlorine used for disinfection. A famous example is the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, which highlighted the importance of infrastructure and testing.
Making it Healthier: If you're worried about your local water quality, using a simple water filter pitcher or a faucet-mounted filter can remove common contaminants and improve the taste.

Purified VS Distilled Water

Is distilled water good to drink every day? What’s the difference between distilled vs purified water? Both are known for their high level of purity, but they are made differently.

Purified water is typically tap water or groundwater that has gone through a filtration process. These processes can include:

Reverse Osmosis (RO): Pushes water through a semipermeable membrane to remove most dissolved solids.
Carbon Filtration: Removes chlorine and other chemicals that affect taste.
UV Sterilization: Kills bacteria and viruses.

Distilled water is even purer. It's created by boiling water and collecting the steam, which leaves almost all minerals and contaminants behind. It is the purest form of water.

When to Use Them: Purified water is a great choice if your tap supply is unreliable or if you have a health condition that requires you to avoid certain contaminants. Is distilled water safe to drink? Yes, distilled water is mostly used for medical purposes (like in a CPAP machine) or in car batteries, not for regular drinking.

Mineral & Spring Water

Mineral water and spring water are both sourced from underground.

Mineral water comes from an underground source that is naturally rich in minerals. To be labeled as mineral water in the U.S., it must contain at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of Total Dissolved Solids. Some European bottled mineral water brands can provide up to 20% of your daily calcium and magnesium needs in a single liter.

Spring water is collected from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface. It’s often valued for its clean taste and natural filtration process.

Health Benefits: The main benefit of mineral water is its contribution to your mineral intake.
Things to Watch For: Check the label on mineral water for its sodium content, as some types can be high in salt. The environmental impact of bottling and shipping water is also a consideration.

Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular drinking water. Proponents claim it can neutralize acid in your bloodstream and offer health benefits.

But is ionized water good for you? There is very little scientific evidence that alkaline water provides any significant health benefits. Your body’s systems, particularly your kidneys and lungs, are very effective at keeping your blood pH in a tight range.

Safety: Alkaline water is generally considered safe to drink, but it offers few proven advantages over regular water. Artificially ionized water can sometimes have a strange taste or cause minor digestive upset in some people.

Well Water

In many rural areas, well water is the primary water source. This water comes from aquifers deep underground and can be very clean.

Risks: Unlike municipal water supplies, private wells are not regulated by the government. It is the owner's responsibility to test for bacteria, nitrates, and other chemicals. Without proper filtration and regular testing, well water can pose health risks.

Hidden Dangers: Contaminants & What to Watch For

Even when water looks clear, it can contain hidden dangers. Here are a few things to be aware of:

Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles have been found in both bottled water and tap water around the world. Research on their long-term health effects is ongoing.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”): These industrial compounds are widespread in the environment and have been linked to health problems.
Heavy Metals: Lead from old pipes and arsenic from natural deposits can contaminate water supplies.
Disinfection Byproducts: Chemicals like chlorine are essential for killing germs in tap water, but they can create byproducts that some studies have linked to health risks in high concentrations.

You can learn about your local water quality by reading your utility’s annual water quality report (also called a Consumer Confidence Report). For well owners or those with specific concerns, at-home test kits or professional lab testing can provide peace of mind.

Who Needs Which Water? Tailored Recommendations

The healthiest water for you depends on your personal needs.

For Athletes: After intense exercise, you lose both water and electrolytes. A mineral water with calcium and magnesium or a sports drink can be a good choice for rehydration.
For Pregnant Women, Children, and the Elderly: These groups can be more vulnerable to contaminants. Extra pure water, like purified water, may be a good option if your local water quality is questionable. It's especially important to avoid high levels of lead and nitrates.
For Medical Conditions: If you have kidney disease or high blood pressure, you may need to avoid mineral water that is high in sodium or other minerals. Always talk to your doctor for personalized advice.
For the Budget-Conscious or Eco-Minded: Filtered tap water is almost always the most affordable and sustainable choice. A one-time investment in a good water filter is much cheaper than buying bottled water.

Bottled vs. Tap Showdown: Myths, Marketing & Sustainability

When considering bottled vs tap water safety, is bottled water truly better than tap water? Often, the answer is no. In many blind taste tests, people cannot tell the difference between tap water and many types of bottled water.

Sometimes, bottled water is simply municipal tap water that has been put through a purification process. The marketing may look appealing, but you could get similar or better quality from your own tap with a filter.

The biggest issue with bottled water is its environmental footprint. The plastic production, bottling, and transportation process uses a massive amount of energy and creates plastic waste that pollutes our oceans and landfills. Using a reusable bottle with filtered tap water is a much better choice for the planet.

Quick Takeaways: Choosing the Healthiest Water for You

Choosing the best water doesn't have to be complicated.

Hydration First: The most critical step is to drink enough water every day. For most people, a safe source of water is more important than the specific type.
Know Your Tap: Check your local water quality report. If your tap water is safe, it’s a healthy, affordable, and eco-friendly choice.
Filter for Safety: A carbon or RO water filter can provide extra assurance by removing common contaminants from your tap water.
Consider Minerals: If you are active or want to supplement your mineral intake, a good mineral water can be beneficial. Just check the label for sodium content.
Be Skeptical of Hype: Don't fall for expensive marketing claims about exotic water options like alkaline water unless there is strong science to back them up.

Ultimately, your body is mostly made up of water, and keeping it hydrated with clean, safe drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the healthiest type of water to drink?

The healthiest type of drinking water depends on where you are, what the local water quality is like, and your personal health needs. In most developed areas where the water supply is regulated, filtered tap water is really an excellent choice in every way. It is usually safe, still affordable, and more importantly environmentally friendly, reducing plastic waste. Having a filtration system in your home further removes possible contaminants such as chlorine, lead, or microplastics, while leaving behind the beneficial minerals. For those looking for more health benefits, natural mineral and spring water are great, containing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are helpful for hydration, bone health, and muscle function. Be sure, however, to choose products that come from reliable, tested sources so that purity is guaranteed. In special cases, such as a weakened immune system or if you go to a place where the water quality is suspect, bottled or boiled water will be safer. In the end, the best choice is a combination of safety, taste, mineral content, impact on the environment, and your own specific health needs.

2. Why do we not use distilled water for drinking?

It's rare to choose distilled water for your regular drink. It's safe and pure, yet it doesn't have all those natural minerals in it that are good for your taste and health. When distilled, calcium, magnesium, potassium and other trace minerals found in most natural water sources are removed. This leaves the water with a bland flavor that is less palatable to many people. Even though there is no conclusive scientific evidence that distilled water actively filters minerals from the body, if you only drink distilled water, you may be missing out on an easy way to get essential minerals. However, distilled water is useful in specific scenarios, such as medical equipment, lab work, or certain health conditions that require low-mineral water. But for everyday hydration, people still prefer filtered tap water or natural spring water that is rich in minerals. After all, they taste better, are richer in nutrients, and are more balanced overall.

3. What are the negatives of ionized water?

The main drawbacks of ionized water, also known as alkaline water, are obvious. It's too expensive, with little basis for its supposed health benefits and the potential for some mild side effects. Ionized and bottled alkaline water is usually quite a bit more expensive than regular filtered tap water, but scientific research has not been able to come up with strong evidence that alkaline water has any particularly significant benefits for most healthy people. It's generally a safe choice to drink in moderation, it can be a little tricky for some people. For example, gastrointestinal upset and low stomach acid, which can affect digestion and nutrient absorption, and may interact with certain medications that require an acidic environment in the stomach. In rare cases, drinking too much highly alkaline water may upset the body's natural pH balance, especially for those with kidney disease or other underlying health problems. Overall, for the average person with access to clean, regulated water, alkaline water is more of an expensive lifestyle choice than a recognized health necessity.

4. What are the 7 types of water?

There are seven main types of drinking water, each with its own unique source, processing methods and characteristics. Tap water is most common in cities, provided by municipal water systems, and is usually treated to meet safety standards, but the taste and quality of the water may vary. Mineral water naturally contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, it tastes good to drink and has health benefits, and it must come from a protected groundwater source. Spring water is taken directly from natural springs and, if collected in the right way, is often very popular because it is fresh and contains minerals. Purified water is filtered or processed, such as reverse osmosis, to remove most of the impurities, so it's especially clean, but sometimes it's lower in minerals. Distilled water is processed by boiling and then condensing, which removes contaminants and minerals, and results in extremely pure water that just doesn't taste like much. Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water, either naturally or through ionization, and is marketed as having possible health benefits, but there is not much evidence of this. Well water comes from underground aquifers and may be rich in minerals, but it has to be tested regularly to make sure there are no contaminants like bacteria, nitrates, or heavy metals in it. Which water you choose depends on your personal taste preferences, health needs, environmental impact, and local water quality.

5. Which water is best to drink for dehydration?

The best type of water to drink when you are dehydrated depends on how much fluid your body has lost and what caused the dehydration. Usual activities, the heat or a little movement, caused by mild, moderate dehydration, any kind of clean water, such as tap water, filtered water, spring water, can help the body replenish water. At this time, don't worry about which kind of water to choose, always sip sip sip sip, better than anything. But if it is because of hard exercise, stay in the heat too long, or vomit and poop disease, caused by severe dehydration, that contains electrolytes more water is much more useful. You can choose natural mineral water containing sodium, potassium and magnesium, or specially formulated oral rehydration salts (ORS), which can replenish body fluids while adjusting the electrolyte balance. When it comes to particularly serious cases, especially children, the elderly or people who are sick themselves, be sure to listen to your doctor's guidance, which is no small matter. To put it bluntly, ordinary hydration, ordinary clean water is enough, but if the body's salt is also followed by the loss of water, that contains electrolytes must drink water.