By Tania Reuben
We’ve been sold.
Didn’t we know it the whole time, really?
Many years ago, when the trend towards bottled water began – I can recall thinking people are really paying for water, then it became, I’m paying for water. It became a habit. An expensive habit at that.
About four years ago we moved into a home with a water filtration system and unless I was going out, that became my water source.
A year ago I bought my first reuasable water bottle
Environmentally – the impact of plastic water is up to 1,000 times as bad as that of tap water. There is a sea of plastic in the middle of the pacific ocean and just because the bottles are recyclable, doesn’t mean they end up being recycled. In California less than 16% of water bottles are recycled. The rest end up in land fills.
But what’s the real story on the actual quality water?
Well, that it turns out is the question. The bottle water companies don’t really make that available to consumers. Unlike all city waters, which are tested multiple times daily, Water companies are only required to test weekly.
Bottem line:
Find a bottle or two that you love (fancy for me please), get a water filtration system and become your own water bottler.
Reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottles
For the EWG full report: Is Bottled Worth It?
{ 5 comments… add one }
Most of the time you don’t even need a filter, and <a href=”http://pragmaticenvironmentalism.com/2009/09/03/water-filter-update/”>testing your water</a> costs less than a 3-pack of Brita filters. As long as your water tastes good and is good for you, why buy another disposable product that you don’t need?
True. Thanks for pointing that out!
I live in Los Angeles and forget that many people live where the water tastes good. We’re not that lucky.
I couldn’t agree with you more! Between the cost of bottled water, the questionable quality (as you point out), and the environmental impact, I do not understand why people would buy bottled water on an ongoing basis.
Never bought bottled water on any regular basis as those bottles have to be manufactured (think of resources used) and waste disposal isn’t really planet friendly (think landfill) either.Just like the manufacture of a can of Coke (or any other soft drink), for a 300ml can here in the UK, the manufacturing process uses up to 2.5ltr of water from start to finish per can.It’s selfishly wasteful. MJ
That’s a lot of water for one can of soda! Thanks for sharing. I really want to do a review of Soda Stream. So when you are in the mood for a soda you can make it at home.