Water in plastic bottles – a thing of the past

On supermarket shelves you'll find a huge variety of sparkling and still mineral water. The choice is so wide because many people still choose mineral water in plastic bottles, believing it tastes better, is perhaps healthier, or improves their wellbeing.
Of course, marketers have made sure consumers think this way, and there's nothing wrong with that – that's how the whole consumer market was built – yet few, probably, stop to consider that tap water can be just as tasty and just as good for your health. And if your drinking water doesn't taste good or has an odd smell, then the problem runs much deeper.
But let's start from the beginning.

Is bottled water in plastic really that effective?

First, we need to distinguish between the sources of extracted water and their names. Natural mineral water is drawn from a borehole, and no additional magnesium, calcium, or other minerals may be added to it. The mineral water extraction process is strictly regulated by law, so only the removal of an excess of certain minerals is allowed, while carbon dioxide is the only thing that may be added. Every step of this water's journey, from extraction to bottling, is tightly controlled.
So read the label carefully and moderate how much of this water you drink – drinking too much of it isn't recommended. In Lithuania, the best-known and most popular options are Vytautas mineral water and Birutė mineral water, both naturally flavoured with no human intervention.

Mineral or mineralised?

Spring water is the most common type of water bottled in plastic and infused with carbon dioxide. This kind of water actually comes from the same mixer taps everyone already has at home. Spring water isn't subject to strict rules, so it's often enriched with various minerals or even given added flavour. On the label, you'll find the word "mineralised" in its name. This is exactly where consumers most often get confused, buying bottled water that's essentially the same as what already flows from the tap at home.

Sparkling water at home

One of the most common reasons people still buy water in plastic bottles – the desire to refresh themselves with carbonated water. Today the market is full of all kinds of water-improving, purification, iron removal, and softening equipment, as well as water carbonation devices and even mixer taps that can prepare sparkling water or boiling water right on the spot. In short – whatever you could want. One of the most popular home solutions – the water carbonation devices AGA EXCLUSIVE or AGA BALANCE

Over the past five years, these water carbonation devices have become especially popular in homes, offices, business centres, and public spaces. And that's hardly surprising, since it's a convenient, quick, and fairly inexpensive way to have sparkling water on hand.

The advantage of water carbonation devices

Almost everyone would agree that it's convenient to have such a device at home, but have you ever considered that you're not just meeting your own needs – you're also helping to reduce plastic consumption? By giving up water in plastic bottles you'll save money, and far less waste – waste that takes centuries to break down – will end up in nature. Not only your children but several more generations after them could find that very same plastic bottle lying in the exact spot where someone left it many years ago.
Huge amounts of plastic still end up in the environment, polluting it; rivers get flooded with rubbish, killing off wildlife and plant life and driving species to extinction. By getting a water carbonation device, you'll save not only your own money but also help preserve planet Earth for future generations.

But the water at home doesn't taste good..

Going back to where we started, when we mentioned not wanting to drink water at home from the tap because of its taste or smell – that's actually something to worry about, since pure, clean water is odourless, tasteless, and colourless. In that case, you should contact water treatment specialists and have a chemical water test carried out at a certified laboratory.
An unpleasant smell of rotten eggs or sulphur in water is usually caused by an excessive amount of iron, and in that case neither a water carbonation device nor a multifunction mixer tap will help. Iron can be removed from water using iron removal filters, once a water test has been carried out and the exact level by which the iron content is exceeded is known.
Of course, it's always recommended to first consult the specialists at Aquafilter Lithuania, who will provide all the information you need, select the right equipment, arrange its installation, and walk you through how to maintain it. These units come with a warranty, so you won't need to worry about your water quality for a long time.
It's often recommended to start with a preliminary water treatment stage using sediment filters, though we also stock all sorts of units that combine every function into a single water filter. Water can be not only de-ironed but also softened and purified to complete clarity and purity. You'll notice the difference right away, and it will be one more reason to stop buying water in plastic bottles from retailers.

Homemade lemonades – simple and easy

It's also worth remembering those who don't just choose mineralised water but also enjoy sweeter drinks. It has long been known to most people that these drinks are harmful to health because of their extremely high sugar content, yet their popularity isn't fading, since habits aren't easy to change. It's not for nothing that sugar, too, is said to be addictive. So what can you do?
If you've already decided to give up bottled water at home and bought a water carbonation device, there are syrups made specially for them in a range of flavours, containing little sugar or other sweeteners, and just a few drops are enough to flavour your drink. Of course, they won't fully replace the taste you're used to, but over time your taste buds adjust, you'll end up consuming less sugar, and you'll be able to make your favourite lemonades right in your own kitchen – your family members and guests will be able to enjoy a variety of flavours, since today you can choose from dozens of different syrup flavours.