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Bottled Water vs. Filtered Water Cost: Will you make the switch?

Bottled Water vs. Filtered Water Cost: Will you make the switch?

by Steven Corbett in News

When it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of investing in a water filter system, there are some obvious pros. These include factors such as helping your water to taste better, reducing contaminants and also reducing your plastic waste.

Another factor to consider when making the switch is how much money you would save in the long run. If you’re opting for plastic bottles of water over a reusable bottle and your tap water, then this not only has an impact on the planet, but it can also impact your pocket.

How much water does the average UK adult drink?

We are constantly reminded that we should be aiming to drink 2 -2.5 litres of water per day. Some advice can vary and suggests that you drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid per day, which can include tea, coffee and other sugar-free drinks.

Despite this advice, as a nation we do often fall behind with our liquid intake. A survey by Women’s Health magazine in 2024 cites that ‘over three-quarters of adults in the UK drink less than a litre of water a day. The average daily intake was found to be 726ml.’

Why we don’t drink enough water is another question! One thing that could encourage us all is ensuring that we have access to quality clean water at home.

How much would a family of 4 spend on bottled water in 1 year vs a water filter system?

If you are looking to increase your water intake generally, or on a fitness kick, you may find yourself consuming even more water than average. If we take the recommended daily volumes and give them a realistic twist, then it is safe to assume that the average family of four would be drinking around 6 litres of water between them on any given day. Times that by 365 days in the year, and your annual volume of water is set to be hitting up to 2,190 litres per year.

Let’s now take a look at the cost for quenching your thirst when you splash out on bottled water from your local supermarket. We've compared Asda, Tesco. Morrisons, Aldi and M&S to give a good representation of data across the UK.

Supermarket Product Name Size Price* Price per Litre
Asda ASDA Still Natural Mineral Water 2 L £0.75 £0.375
Tesco Tesco Still Water 2 L £0.56 £0.28
Morrisons Morrisons Yorkshire Vale Spring Water 2 L £0.79 £0.395
Aldi Aldi Still Spring Water (Own Brand – sourced from in-store pricing)* 2 L £0.60 £0.30
M&S (via Ocado) M&S Still Scottish Mountain Water 2 L £1.95 £0.975

 

If we look at the average cost between these supermarket options, you’re looking at an average of £0.46 per litre. Times that by the volume for an average family of four aiming to drink (2,190L) and that comes out at a whopping £1,018.35/year.

What is an affordable alternative to bottled water?

As pioneers of water filtration systems, Doulton has a range of options available that can help to increase your enthusiasm for reaching your water consumption goals and js better for your family's health.

For example, the Doulton Ecofast Under Sink Water Filter System with Biotect Ultra costs £164.95 and includes your first filter.

Depending on usage, you then need to simply spend £35.95 every 6 months to maintain your water quality. Bringing your initial set up and total for the first year of water filtration on tap to £200.90.

Compare this to the cost of the bottled water and you’re saving around £800 in the first year alone, alongside £946.45 every year after that.

So, are there really benefits to switching to a water filter from bottled?

It goes without saying that yes! There certainly are! Not only is there the money saving aspect, there are also a plethora of reasons why filtered water is a better option. This includes:

  •          Cleaner, better tasting water with no metallic lingering flavours or chlorine
  •          Removal of up to 99.99% of contaminants including microplastics and fluoride
  •          Reducing your carbon footprint with eco-friendly ceramic filters and huge reduction on single use plastic bottle waste
  •          When choosing a Doulton ceramic filter you also have the quality and reassurance that they are Made in Britain in our very own manufacturing facility in Staffordshire.

If you’d like to explore more, or have any questions about making the switch to a ceramic water filter system, do not hesitate to contact us on social media @doultonwater or email filtersales@doulton.com

*Disclaimer: Supermarket prices are subject to change. The figures provided are based on pricing available at the time of comparison and may vary by store location or over time.

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(2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition reviews, 68(8), 439-458. 12. Rodger, A., & Papies, E. K. (2022). “I don't just drink water for the sake of it”: Understanding the influence of value, reward, self-identity, and early life on water drinking behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 99, 104576.13. Tsindos, S. (2012). What drove us to drink 2 litres of water a day?14. World Health Organization. (2005). Nutrients in drinking water (No. WHO/SDE/WSH/05.09). World Health Organization.15. Kurdak, S. S., Shirreffs, S. M., Maughan, R. J., Ozgünen, K. T., Zeren, C., Korkmaz, S. E. L. C. E. N., ... & Dvorak, J. (2010). Hydration and sweating responses to hot‐weather football competition. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 133-139.

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