It's the time of year when runners, bikers, and even the family pets are enjoying the summer weather. And, after a hard workout, water is usually the beverage of choice to quench one's thirst. Some head for the tap, but nowadays more and more people are going the route of bottled water. The problem is that bottled water can get expensive, ranging upwards of $1 or more per bottle.

"[Bottled is] convenient but I drink tap water at home all the time," said one runner in Forest Park Thursday. "I never use the tap water at all," said another.

But there is a way to test your water if you are concerned. CBS 3 bought a testing kit on line that checks for certain chemicals in your water including chlorine and lead. The Water Safe Testing Kit, which costs between $20-50 checks for elements like: pesticides, lead, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, hardness and pH.

CBS 3 drove to Greenfield, Northampton and Springfield to test the water at random drinking fountains. We also tested a bottle of Poland Spring water. One gentleman at Forest Park said he drinks it because he thinks it is safer.

"I'm really into health so I think it's worth it to get the bottled water," he said.

After a few minutes of dipping test strips, the results appeared. And some may find them surprising.

Springfield's tap water tested negative for chlorine, lead, nitrates, nitrites and pesticides. Northampton and Greenfield had the same results. And the bottled water, too came up negative for every element.

The only problem we found was that Greenfield tested for higher than accepted levels for hardness at 120 parts per million. But, the World Health Organization says there is no known health problems associated with drinking hard water.

Local tap water is regulated by strict Environmental Protection Agency standards. Bottled water, on the other hand has to meet Food and Drug Administration standards, which for water quality tends to be less stringent. For example, tap water must be disinfected. Bottled spring water does not, which could result in higher levels of bacteria.

So, if you're looking to save some cash this summer, the kitchen sink may be no different in quality than bottled spring water, and it comes at a far cheaper price.