Why are we drinking so much bottled water?

Question

From a doctor at Johns Hopkins...

To date, no independent investigation has shown that bottled water passes more safety and health checks than tap water. In fact, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tested 103 brands of bottled water and concluded there was no assurance that water out of a bottle is cleaner or safer than water from the tap. Another of their conclusions didn't surprise me either: They estimated that 25 percent or more of bottled water is nothing more than tap water.

Given the lack of objective research or evidence to favor bottled water over tap water, the decision on which to drink comes down to an individual choice. However, two things we know for certain: bottled water is more convenient and more expensive than tap water.

The NRDC reported that a five-year supply of bottled water cost over $1,000 compared with $1.65 for the same amount of tap water. Not to mention the environmental impact of the many discarded plastic water bottles.

Answer 1

That's a great question and one I've often asked myself. I can think of three reasons for it. In some areas, the water does taste like fluoride, or chlorine. For some people, I think they think it is "cool" to be drinking out of a water bottle. For many people, they are just scared of what is in there water and think the bottle water is better. I've known for years that bottled water has little or no regulations for testing. I think the environmental impact on plastic will change things in the near future as people become more aware of how they are contributing to our environment in a negative way. Everything comes down to the almighty dollar though, doesn't it.

Answer 2

Bottled Water

Answer 3

There are a lot of folks with their nose stuck up in the air. The typically have more dollars than sense.

Some spend it on cocaine, others on meth. Given the alternative bottled water is OK but I still turn on the tap when I want a drink. You see, I have very few dollars so I have to have some sense or I would have parished at some point in the last 59 years.

Answer 4

I have to agree, that bottled watter has the marketing and the convenience factors behind its success. However as pointed out in the question the real shame is the environmental impact from packaging and food transport.

H2O ... Tap into it

http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com/2007/04/h2o-tap-into-it.html

Energy Saver
http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com
[e-mail]

Answer 5

I drink large amounts of bottle water. My only reason is convenience. I recently tried to buy the large gallon bottles and drink from a glass or use a refillable water bottle but found that I dont drink the amount of water that I should to remain hydrated. So I guess my only personal reason is convenience (i.e. laziness). In my defense though, I am an avid recycler. Every bottle of water I drink gets tossed into the recycling bin.

Answer 6

I drink bottled water because I'm sensitive to chlorine. It makes me feel really ill to drink too much. I like that spring water has no chlorine taste. Those water filters don't seem to get all of the taste out either.

I do feel bad about the environmental impact and I am going to make a concious effort to cut down.

Answer 7

It's trendy and they've got good marketing. I don't drink the stuff out of the bottle and I recall hearing once that the whole bottled water industry is regulated by two people in Washington. As one comedian said ...(Lewis Black) When I think of clean water, I definitely think of coke and Pepsi. If you go to California, San Diego, L.A. etc. it is almost undrinkable. It smells like a dog was swimming it it.

Answer 8

It's somewhat for convenience. Taking the bottle to work or school. But, yes it's wasteful. I think maybe a reusable container of your own water would do the trick.

Answer 9

everyone is brainwashed. Actually some tap water is better than bottled water.

Answer 10

Because some of us live in places like California where the tap water tastes like crap. =)