Is bottled water safer than tap water?
Not necessarily. Check the bottled water label or contact the bottled water supplier for test results on their product. Under special circumstances, such as an emergency, bottled water is a good choice.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates public water systems. As shown in our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), City of Tybee Island’s water supply meets all federal and state EPA drinking water standards. Bottled water must comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations, which must be equal to EPA standards for drinking water. Most required monitoring under the FDA regulations is not as frequent as the monitoring done on City of Tybee Island’s water.

Depending on the source of the water and the treatment process, some bottled waters may contain more or less amounts of substances than tap water. Some studies have shown that microbial growth may occur in bottled water during storage due to the lack of residual disinfectant. City of Tybee Island adds chlorine to its system to control microbial growth.

People with compromised immune systems should check the water quality test results for City of Tybee Island and the bottled water supplier, and consult their doctor before deciding which source is best for them.

Show All Answers

1. How do I report a water problem, like a leak, sewer backup or drinking water quality issue?
2. How do I get information about water quality?
3. Why is there chlorine in the water?
4. How do I decrease the amount of chlorine in my water (for fish tanks, plant watering, etc.)?
5. Is there is lead in my water?
6. Is there mercury in my water?
7. Why is there fluoride in the water?
8. What is the pH level of City of Tybee Island’s water?
9. If my water has an odor, what should I do?
10. Why is my water sometimes rusty?
11. Why does my water look cloudy?
12. Why are there particles floating in my water?
13. Why is there a pink or black ring in my toilet?
14. What causes pinhole leaks?
15. Is bottled water safer than tap water?
16. Where can I find more information?