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Lindsey Haines

Mrs. Stevens

Life Science

31 January 2018

Which Brand of Bottled Water Has the Highest Amount of Bacteria?

Bottled water is a huge part of everyday life. You might drink it at lunch, at sports

practice, on the go, etc. Or, you may have drank it until it’s ¼ full so you could do the bottle

flipping challenge last year. Either way, it’s a cheap, recyclable, and easy way of having

water to drink. But, what if the water gets contaminated and sold unknowingly? I

hypothesized that if I tested multiple brands of bottled water, then one of the brands would

contain a measurable amount of bacteria.

How Does the Bacteria Get Into the Bottled Water?

Bottled water is consumed by millions everyday, but sometimes, it can be

dangerous. Sometimes, bacteria can get into bottled water, and this can occur in many

ways. Even though the FDA has stricter standards that they used to, bacteria can still get

into bottled water. For example, there could be bacteria found in the source, but it could get

through a bad filter system. Next, bacteria can come from a bottling company with poor

maintenance(Lisle). Also, contaminants such as sewage and mercury can contaminate the

source, bottling plant, etc. Additionally, if a worker at the plant is sick, or if there is an

outbreak of a certain illness in the area, that can contaminate the water too(Rettner) (Next

101-102).These are some ways that water can become contaminated.

What Factors Are Needed for Bacteria Growth?

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Bacteria needs certain factors to grow. To begin with, bacteria needs nutrients, such

as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Next, some types of bacteria are autotrophs, so they can

use photosynthesis to make their own nutrients. To continue, bacteria cells are usually

70% water, so they cannot live without water. Additionally, different types of bacteria live

in different types of environments. Also, some bacteria can live in environments with no

oxygen, while others need a lot of oxygen to survive. Furthermore, bacteria can still adapt

to most environments (Taylor). Finally, bacteria grows everywhere (Leeuwenhoek’s 21-

22). These are the factors bacteria needs to survive.

How Long Does It Take for Bacteria To Reproduce?

Bacteria needs to reproduce to survive. First, bacteria are simple, basic,

single-celled organisms. Second, bacteria can be found anywhere on earth, such as in the

arctic, the forest, soil, rocks, etc. Also, different types of bacteria multiply at different rates.

Furthermore, some bacteria can multiply in the short span of 20 minutes. In some cases, a

few bacteria can become millions in the span of a few hours! We can become sick very

quickly when we’re exposed to certain types of bacteria (About). Last, if someone is trying

to make a pure culture, which is a sample of only ONE type of bacteria, it can take months

to create it because they need an extremely sterile environment (Pure Culture 35-36).

What Types of Bacteria are Harmful to People?

Bacteria is everywhere. Most of bacteria is pretty harmless, but some types of

bacteria are very dangerous. For instance, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis has been a deadly

disease throughout history, and has been the cause of many plagues. Next, E. Coli a bacteria
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that resides in the human body, mostly in the digestive system. Certain types of E. Coli very

dangerous due to its high resistance to antibiotics. To continue, Klebsiella Pneumoniae is

the cause of pneumonia and other lung infections. Also, Streptococcus Pyogenes can be

deadly if not treated. This virus causes symptoms such as sore throat all the way up to

Scarlet Fever. Furthermore, Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA is a deadly skin eating disease

that can also cause other fatal diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia (Longitude).

Last, H5N1 and H7N7 are two types of influenza that can be fatal in certain cases (Next

101-102). These are some examples of dangerous and deadly bacteria.

What Types of Bacteria are Good for People?

Not all bacteria are bad, and in fact, most bacteria are good for you. A vast majority

of bacteria help you digest your food. One example of good bacteria is L. Acidophilus. This

is found in your intestines, and helps you digest food. Another type of good bacteria is

Streptococcus Thermophilus, which is found in many fermented dairy products, and helps

relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance. Also, Bacillus Coagulans is found in a lot of

probiotics, and is useful for people with stomach issues (List). Last, weakened bacteria for

diseases found in vaccinations can help boost your immune system (Vaccination 145-149).

These are some examples of good bacteria.

What Types of Bacteria Can Potentially Be Found in Bottled Water?

There are many different types of bacteria that can be found in bottled water. To

begin with, Legionella is a bacteria that can be a health risk if inhaled. Next, enteroviruses

is a fancy name for small viruses. Some enteroviruses include polioviruses,

coxsackieviruses, and echovirus. Furthermore, E. Coli can be found in bottled water. Also, if
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the water is cloudy, there’s a high chance that it contains bacteria (Lisle). Last, if there is an

outbreak of influenza in the area, that can be found in bottled water too (Next Flu 101-102)

I hypothesised that if I tested multiple brands of bottled water, then one of the brands

would contain a measurable amount of bacteria. I bought 10 water testers and 5 brands of

bottled water, and there were 2 bottles per brand. First, I poured about 2 tablespoons of

water from one of the brands into its water tester. Next, I put the cap on it and shook it up

and down for 20 seconds. I repeated this with the other testers and brands. Last, I waited

48 hours to see the full results. When I checked the testers 48 hours later, the water from

each brand tested negative for bacteria.

Works Cited

About Microbiology – Bacteria.” Microbiology Online, Microbiology Society , 2017,

microbiologyonline.org/about-microbiology/introducing-microbes/bacteria.

DiPardo, Robert. “List of Good Bacteria.” Healthy Eating , SF Gate, 2011,

healthyeating.sfgate.com/list-good-bacteria-7771.html.
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Lisle, Matthew. “Bacteria in Bottled Water: Thing of the Past?” Everwaters, Everwaters, 23 Oct.

2016, www.everwaters.io/blogs/drink-better-live-better/bacteria-in-bottled-water-thing-

of-the-past

Longitude Team. “10 Most Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.” 10 Most

Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria , Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria , Longitude

Team, 26 Aug. 2014, longitudeprize.org/blog-post/10-most-dangerous-antibiotic-

resistant-bacteria.

Reh, Beth Donovan. “Leeuwenhoek's Wretched Beasties.” Germs, Thomson Gale, 2005,

pp. 21–22.

Reh, Beth Donovan. “The Pure Culture Technique Before Koch.” Germs, Thomson Gale,

2005, pp. 35–36.

Reh, Beth Donovan. “The Next Flu Pandemic .” Germs, Thomson Gale, 2005, pp. 101–

102.

Reh, Beth Donovan. “Vaccination Is Safe and Necessary .” Germs, Thomson Gale, 2005,

pp. 145–149.

Rettner, Rachael. “4,000 Sickened in Spain: How Does a Virus Get into Bottled Water?”

Fox News, FOX News Network, 27 Apr. 2016,

www.foxnews.com/health/2016/04/27/4000-sickened-in-spain-how-does-virus-get-into-

bottled-water.html.

Taylor, Stacy. “What Three Conditions Are Ideal for Bacteria to Grow?” Sciencing, Sciencing,

21 June 2017, www.sciencing.com/three-conditions-ideal-bacteria-grow-9122.html

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Woodie, Maria. “Bacteria and Viruses Commonly Found in Drinking Water.” Water

Technology Online, Process Flow Network, 31 July 2014,

www.watertechonline.com/bacteria-and-viruses-commonly-found-in-drinking-water/