In France, three out of every four people are described as "mixed drinkers," meaning they consume both tap and bottled water. According to the Centre d'information sur l'eau (CIEAU), a French organization that provides information about water, six out of every ten glasses of water consumed in the country come from the tap, while the remaining four are from bottled sources. Xavier Coumoul, a professor of toxicology and biochemistry at the University of Paris Cité and affiliated with the Inserm, a French public health research institute, supports the use of tap water, emphasizing that it is more controlled, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly. He points out that tap water is 100 to 200 times cheaper than bottled water and does not contribute to plastic pollution, which is a growing environmental concern. Despite these benefits, many French people still prefer bottled water, often believing it to be safer or offering health benefits, such as higher magnesium content. However, tap water may have a distinct taste or smell due to chlorine, a substance used to disinfect water. Coumoul suggests that this can be addressed by letting the water sit in a carafe for a few hours, allowing the chlorine to dissipate. Coumoul also highlights that not all tap water in France is safe to drink, stressing the need for regular water quality checks. Under the European water directive, water quality is monitored at various points along the distribution network. Information about local water composition is available through posters displayed at city halls and interactive maps that show contamination levels. These maps highlight the presence of substances like PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances, often referred to as "eternal pollutants" because they are extremely difficult to break down. PFAS can remain in the environment and the human body for a long time, potentially leading to health issues such as increased cholesterol levels, cancer risks, and effects on fertility. As a result, it is important for individuals to be informed about the quality of the water in their region. By accessing available resources, people can make more educated choices about whether to drink tap or bottled water, balancing convenience, cost, and health considerations.