Why do people drink bottled water? Is it more convenient? Does it taste better then tap water? Is it safer then tap water? Where does it come from? Read on for answers. Bottled water may be hurting your health. A new study suggests plastic bottles release small amounts of chemicals over long periods of time. The longer water is stored in plastic bottles, the higher the concentration of potentially harmful chemicals. 132 brands in 28 countries were tested. Most water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. One fifth of the brands tested positive for the presence of synthetic chemicals, such as industrial chemicals and chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Phthalate an endocrine inhibitor, a harmful chemical that leaches into bottled water from its plastic container is particularly nasty. Bottled water companies, are not under the same accountability standards as municipal water systems, and may provide a significantly lower quality of water than the water from the tap. Recent allegations against the Coca-Cola Company and its brand name of bottled water, Dasani, have publicly highlighted one of the biggest misconceptions about the quality of bottled water. Coca-Cola, advertises its bottled water as “pure, still water,” is now being investigated for misleading consumers about the true nature of the contents of its bottles. Rather than deriving its water from natural springs, Coca-Cola has actually been filling its Dasani bottles with…