I use a water filter machine attached to my water supply for drinking waters for myself and the flock, dead against buying water in plastic bottles, we have enough problems with plastic around the world so why add to it. the cost of water in a bottle is in my mind a rip off and is it that good? there has been research that has found plastics dissolved in bottled water although it may still be in all waters as so much plastic has been produced and wrongly disposed of. I will say that in most of the UK the water should not do harm for the flock. but all it takes is an accidental contamination to a supply that although uncommon it has happened. I am lucky as Nigel the owner of Buster GSC2 that I look after will come and change filters and service the machine. its also nice to have instant chilled water (my flock love it chilled on hot days) (my last water filter had instant boiled water as well). this subject always reminds me of Dell boy and the Peckham water or what happened to Coca Cola when they launched the bottled water in Sidcup both got contaminated. So much may depend on if you live in a soft or hard water area, Cost of the machine and running costs works out so much cheaper than buying bottled water and far less impact to the environment. to me having a filter machine is an extra safety net I hope they will ban using plastic for drinking products.