Objective: Tap water, packaged water or purified water are sources of drinking water. Health concerns about tap water and the perception that packaged water is healthier have increased the importance of packaged water consumption. This study aimed to determine the drinking water preferences and the factors affecting medical and sport science students’ choice at Inonu University.

Material and Method: The study included 1861 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Sport Sciences of Inonu University. The sample size was 256 with a confidence interval of 95% and power of 80%. The questionnaire collected data about the sociodemographiccharacteristics of the students, and the crosssectional part comprised questions about the students’ drinking water preferences. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and p <0.05 was accepted as significant in all evaluations.

Results: The students’ preferences for drinking water were 69.2% for tap water, 56.9% for packaged water and 17% for purified water. While 66.7% of the students studying in the medical school use Pet / thin plastic, 53.3% of the students studying in the Faculty of Sports Science use pet/thin plastic.

Conclusion: It was observed that the students in the study group preferred tap water in the first place as drinking water. Those who do not prefer tap water stated that taste, hygiene, color/turbidity are the most common causes. In addition, it is seen that university students do not attach sufficient importance to the content of drinking water and packaging choice.