In recent decades, bottled water has become a booming industry in the United States, with millions of people purchasing it daily under the assumption that it is cleaner, safer, and healthier than tap water. However, growing evidence suggests that this perception does not always reflect reality. A recent survey revealed that approximately 64% of bottled water in the U.S. actually comes from municipal sources—the very same tap water that flows into households. While some companies run their product through additional purification steps, others make minimal changes before bottling and selling it at a significant markup. In certain cases, bottled water has even been found to exceed contamination limits, raising serious questions about transparency, value, and consumer trust.