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The bottled water craze took hold over a decade ago, and since its start, consumption has skyrocketed. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, "More than half of all Americans drink bottled water; about a third of the public consumes it regularly. Sales have tripled in the past 10 years, to about $4 billion a year."

The quality of bottled water has been brought under scrutiny. According to the Environmental Working Group, bottled water companies are hiding information that would shock many consumers. When tested in comparison to bottled waters, the EWG found that "filtered tap water received the best grade (an A.")

According to Yahoo!, 10 of America's top-selling brands barely had passing grades:

1. Pure Life Purified Water (Nestle), EWG grade = B

2. Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water (Nestle), EWG grade = C

3. Aquafina Purified Drinking Water (Pepsi), EWG grade = D

4. Dasani Purified Water (Coca-Cola), EWG grade = D

5. Deer Park Natural Spring Water (Nestle), EWG grade = D

6. Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water (Nestle), EWG grade = D

7. Ozarka Natural Spring Water (Nestle), EWG grade = D

8. Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water (Nestle), EWG grade = D

9. Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water (CG Roxane), EWG grade =  F

Filtered tap water not only reigns supreme in terms of quality, it also is a huge money saver. In today's economy, bottled water can be as much as 1,900 times more expensive than tap water.

Here are just a few "green" options to try in your home:

Whole House Filtration System: These cost around $750 and mean that not only is your drinking water filtered, but the water you wash your dishes and shower in as well! Be sure to research brands before buying, however, since there are brands that outperform their competitors.

Faucet filtration: These systems connect directly to your faucet and cost under $25.00. They have filters that needs changed every 6 months.

Filtered Water Pitcher: Research has shown that pitchers don't filter out as many contaminants as faucet systems, but they are a great option for busy families or offices without regular access to water. You can fill it up once and use it all day!

Reusable Bottles:And finally, for "on the go" water drinkers, be sure to invest in a reusable bottle. You can choose from either stainless steel water bottles or BPA free bottles. They cost $10 or less for basic varieties and will allow you to take water to the office and in the car.

Bottled water usage is a hard habit to change. The ease and convenience, plus its obvious benefits over consuming sugary soda drinks makes it hard to give up. But by making a few simple changes in your home, as well as buying a reusable bottle for on the go, you'll be sure to stick with it!