How our Scoring Works

The formula behind water.co scoring system

scoring system
scoring system

Table of Contents

  1. Overview

  1. Contaminant amount and levels

  1. source

  1. Filtration method

  1. ph

  1. packaging and material

how we score bottled water

Everything is scored out of 100, we consider 5 categories:


  • contaminant

  • source

  • filtRATION METHOD

  • PH

  • packaging


each category is weighted differently depending on the health effects associated with the potential damage.

Contaminant amount and levels

The provided chart is a simplified categorization that ranks contaminants based on general information about their toxicity, health effects, and regulatory standards. the contaminants have been ranked using publicly available information and guidelines from sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). By assigning penalty scores based on the tier system, we can rank the contaminants by their potential harm to humans when exceeding recommended guidelines. This approach ensures that the most harmful pollutants receive the highest penalties, encouraging stricter control and monitoring.


Tier 1 (Severe) - Penalty Score: 7

  • Arsenic: Known carcinogen, causes skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease.

  • Lead: Severe neurotoxin, especially harmful to children, causes developmental delays, cognitive impairments.

  • Mercury: Affects the nervous system, particularly in fetuses and young children, can cause developmental and cognitive issues.

  • Chromium (hexavalent): Carcinogen, causes respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage.

  • PFAS/PFOS: Persistent in the environment and human body, causes cancer, liver damage, immune system effects. known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down

  • Radium 226 and 228: Carcinogen, causes bone cancer and other cancers.

  • Uranium: Toxic to kidneys, potential carcinogen.



Tier 2 (High) - Penalty Score: 5

  • Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs): Suspected carcinogens, linked to liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems.

  • Bromodichloromethane: Carcinogen, affects liver and kidneys.

  • Chloroform: Carcinogen, affects liver and central nervous system.

  • Dibromochloromethane: Carcinogen, affects liver and kidneys.

  • Haloacetic Acids (HAA9): Carcinogens, affects liver, kidney, and reproductive systems.

  • Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): Carcinogens, affects liver, kidney, and reproductive systems.

  • Nitrate: Causes methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants, potential carcinogen.

  • Nitrite: Causes methemoglobinemia in infants, potential carcinogen.

  • Bromate: Carcinogen, affects kidneys.

  • Bromoform: Carcinogen, affects liver and nervous system.

  • Dichloroacetic Acid: Carcinogen, affects liver.

  • 1,4-Dioxane: Likely carcinogen, affects liver and kidneys.

  • Beryllium: Carcinogen, causes chronic beryllium disease (lung disease).

  • Antimony: Affects heart and lung functions, potential carcinogen.

  • Selenium: High levels cause selenosis (hair and nail loss, neurological damage).

  • 1,2,3-Trichloropropane: Carcinogen, affects liver and kidneys.

  • Bromochloroacetic acid: Carcinogen, affects liver.

  • Bromodichloroacetic acid: Carcinogen, affects liver.

  • Radon: Carcinogen, causes lung cancer.

  • Gross Alpha Particle Activity: Indicates presence of radioactive contaminants, causes cancer.



Tier 3 (Moderate) - Penalty Score: 3

  • Chloramine: Can cause respiratory issues, eye/nose irritation, and digestive issues.

  • Chlorine: Can cause respiratory issues, eye/nose irritation, and digestive issues.

  • Barium: Affects cardiovascular system, high levels can cause hypertension.

  • Fluoride: Dental and skeletal fluorosis at high levels.

  • Bromide: High levels affect the nervous system.

  • Sulfate: Can cause laxative effects and dehydration at high levels.

  • Dibromoacetic Acid: Affects liver, potential carcinogen.

Contaminate

Tier

Penalty score

more coming soon...

1

1

source

We all need water, but not all water is the same and it starts at the source. the majority of bottled water comes from municipal water supplies and undergoes intensive treatment to remove toxins, this often strips the water of its natural minerals. Ranking the quality of water sources such as municipal water, well water, spring water, and aquifer water depends on several factors including contamination risk, treatment processes, regulatory oversight, and natural filtration. Here is a detailed ranking based on these factors:


Spring Water


  • Natural Filtration: Often filtered through natural rock formations, which can improve purity.

  • Minimal Treatment: Usually requires minimal treatment if sourced from a protected and uncontaminated spring.

  • Seasonal Variation: Quality and flow rate can vary seasonally.


Aquifer Water - Penalty Score: 10


  • Natural Filtration: Water from aquifers often undergoes natural filtration through rock and soil layers, which can remove many contaminants.

  • Protected Source: Typically less vulnerable to surface contamination compared to wells and springs.

  • Contaminant Risk: Can still be subject to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and naturally occurring contaminants (e.g., arsenic, radon).

  • Variable Quality: The quality can vary depending on the depth and location of the aquifer.


Well Water - Penalty Score: 10


  • Accessibility: Provides a reliable water source in areas without access to municipal water.

  • Cost: Generally less expensive over the long term once the well is established.

  • Contaminant Risk: High risk of contamination from surface runoff, agricultural chemicals, septic systems, and naturally occurring substances.

  • Variable Quality: Quality can vary significantly depending on the location and depth of the well.


Municipal Water - Penalty Score: 20


  • Regulatory Oversight: Subject to stringent regulations and standards set by agencies like the EPA in the United States.

  • Treatment Processes: Typically undergoes extensive treatment processes including filtration, disinfection (e.g., chlorination), and sometimes advanced treatments (e.g., UV, ozone).

  • Monitoring: Regularly tested for a wide range of contaminants including bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals.

    Chemical Additives: May contain residual disinfectants such as chlorine or chloramines, and sometimes fluoride.

  • Infrastructure Issues: Potential for contamination through aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes.

filtration method

Ranking and Impact on Mineral Content

  1. Natural Filtration (Spring Water)

    • Impact on Minerals: Minimal to none. The water is naturally filtered through geological formations, retaining most minerals.

    • Uses: Bottled spring water, natural mineral water.


  2. Activated Carbon Filtration

    • Impact on Minerals: Low. Removes organic compounds, chlorine, and certain chemicals without affecting dissolved minerals.

    • Uses: Home water filters, municipal water treatment.


  3. Micron Filtration/Ultrafiltration - Penalty Score: 5

    • Impact on Minerals: Low to moderate. Effective at removing particulates and microorganisms, but most minerals remain.

    • Uses: Bottled water, municipal water treatment.


  4. Ozone Treatment - Penalty Score: 5

    • Impact on Minerals: None. Ozone treatment disinfects water without removing dissolved minerals.

    • Uses: Bottled water, municipal water treatment.


  5. Ultraviolet (UV) Treatment - Penalty Score: 5

    • Impact on Minerals: None. UV light inactivates microorganisms without affecting mineral content.

    • Uses: Home water purification, bottled water, municipal water treatment.


  6. Coagulation and Flocculation - Penalty Score: 5

    • Impact on Minerals: Low. Removes suspended particles and impurities, but dissolved minerals are largely unaffected.

    • Uses: Municipal water treatment.


  7. Sedimentation - Penalty Score: 5

    • Impact on Minerals: Low. Allows heavy particles to settle, leaving dissolved minerals in the water.

    • Uses: Municipal water treatment.


  8. Fluoridation - Penalty Score: 10

    • Impact on Minerals: Minimal. Adds fluoride for dental health, generally not stripping other minerals.

    • Uses: Municipal water treatment.


  9. pH Adjustment - Penalty Score: 10

    • Impact on Minerals: Moderate. Adjusts water chemistry to stabilize pH, which may affect mineral solubility and content.

    • Uses: Municipal water treatment.


  10. Corrosion Control - Penalty Score: 10

    • Impact on Minerals: Moderate. Techniques like phosphate addition and pH adjustment can affect mineral composition.

    • Uses: Municipal water treatment.


  11. Reverse Osmosis (RO) - - Penalty Score: 10

    • Impact on Minerals: High. Removes most dissolved salts, minerals, and other impurities, often necessitating remineralization.

    • Uses: Bottled water, home water systems, desalination plants.


  12. Distillation - Penalty Score: 10

    • Impact on Minerals: Very High. Removes nearly all contaminants, including beneficial minerals, resulting in demineralized water.

    • Uses: Laboratory water, certain bottled waters, industrial applications.

Ph

The best pH level for drinking water for humans typically falls within a slightly alkaline range, ideally between 7.5 and 8.5. Here's why:


pH and Human Health:

  1. Neutral pH (7.0): below 7.0 Penalty Score: 5 This is the pH of pure water. While drinking neutral pH water is not harmful, it may lack the beneficial properties found in slightly alkaline water.


  2. Slightly Alkaline (7.5 - 8.5): Score: +5 Many health experts suggest that slightly alkaline water may have potential health benefits. Some studies indicate that maintaining an alkaline pH in the body may help neutralize excess acidity and reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as acid reflux, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome.


  3. Extremes: above 9.0 Penalty Score: 5 Drinking water with extremely low or high pH levels can be harmful. Acidic water (pH below 6.5) can corrode pipes and leach metals, while highly alkaline water (pH above 8.5) may taste unpleasant and could potentially cause gastrointestinal issues.


Considerations:

  1. Body's pH Balance: The human body naturally regulates its pH levels within a narrow range (around 7.35 to 7.45) to maintain optimal physiological function. Drinking water with a slightly alkaline pH may complement the body's natural pH balance.


  2. Dietary Factors: While the pH of drinking water is important, overall nutritional habits also play a significant role in maintaining pH balance in the body. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and alkaline-forming foods can help support a healthy pH balance.


  3. Individual Variability: It's essential to recognize that individual responses to different pH levels in water may vary. Some people may prefer slightly acidic water, while others may prefer slightly alkaline water.

Packaging and material

  1. Glass Bottles: Quality Rating: High

Excellent for maintaining water purity and taste. Safety: Non-reactive, does not leach chemicals, and maintains water purity.


  1. Aluminum Bottles: Quality Rating: Moderate - Penalty Score: 5

Lightweight and generally safe with a BPA-free liner, but the liner can wear out, and the environmental impact of production is a concern.


  1. BPA-Free Plastic Bottles: Quality Rating: Moderate - Penalty Score: 5

Safety: BPA-free plastics are safer and do not leach harmful chemicals.


  1. Single-Use Plastic Bottles: Quality Rating: Low - Penalty Score: 10

Least desirable due to safety concerns, poor environmental impact, and lack of durability. Safety: Can leach chemicals, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight.







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