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Bottled Water Awash With Controversy

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Simply put, our bodies depend on water for survival. Provided abundantly by Mother Nature, water is a significant part of our body’s constitution. In fact, two-thirds of our body weight is water. A mere 2% drop in our body’s water supply can trigger signs of dehydration. It is important that we drink plenty of water every day to maintain optimum health.

In recent years the way we obtain the water our bodies need has sparked controversy as millions of health-conscious consumers have become increasingly convinced that bottled water is purer and healthier than tap water. But is it?

According a recent report published by the National Resources Defense Council, much of the bottled water sold in the United States is neither cleaner nor safer than most tap water. In fact, the NRDC study revealed that close to 40% of bottled water sold in this country comes from municipal sources and that bottled waters “are subjected to less rigorous testing and purity standards than those which apply to city tap water.” For instance, government rules allow bottlers to call their product “spring water” even though it may be brought to the surface using a pumped well and it may be treated with chemicals. Some studies have shown that bottled water that is left in direct sunlight (such as in an automobile) can cause chemical changes that researchers believe are carcinogenic.

This comes as no surprise to the numerous environmental and consumer groups who have lobbied for years for closer scrutiny of bottled water. These groups have long contended that Americans are wasting billions of dollars on something that is not necessarily good for their health and is indisputably bad for the environment.

According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86% of plastic water bottles become garbage or litter. The process used to burn the used bottles produces toxic byproducts and buried water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Producing bottles for US water consumption required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil in 2007, not including the energy used for transportation.

Obtaining water from underground pipe is more energy efficient and uses far fewer natural resources than bottled water. Furthermore, tap water is strictly regulated by the FDA and must meet stringent safety standards before it can be dispensed for public use.

So what can we do to minimize our carbon footprint where water is concerned? Part of the appeal of bottled water is that it is a convenient way to stay hydrated on the go. But you don’t have to use water from plastic bottles. Instead, you can purchase a reusable container made especially for water from many health food stores. Be sure to sterilize before refilling it and don’t let a bottle sit for days after you have already started drinking it. If you have concerns about the tap water at your home, consider purchasing a water filtration system for your family’s drinking water.