Conservation News
The Top Five Reasons to Avoid Bottled Water
from the Fall 2007 Streamkeepers Log, Cal Trout Newsletter
submitted by Dougald Scott
The Top Five Reasons to Avoid Bottled Water
from the Fall 2007 Streamkeepers Log, Cal Trout Newsletter
submitted by Dougald Scott
More than ever before, the water we drink comes from plastic bottles. But many of us don't realize just how much damage bottling water does to our environment.
1. Water bottling plants can be harmful to local environments, often depleting and contaminating the very water sources they advertise. (1)
2. Plastic water bottles contain chemicals that can leach into the water and may be harmful to your health. (2)
3. Production and distribution of bottled water in the US alone places over a billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. (3)
4. Over 40 percent of bottled water is actually tap water that has been filtered or otherwise treated. Filtration can be done at home for a fraction of the cost. (4)
5. Bottled water costs as much as 1,000 times more than tap water. (5)
We can each reduce our impact on fresh water sources by filtering water and refilling our own reusable bottles at home. Save the fish, drink tap water!
(1.) Food and Water Watch, "Aquabits," vol. III, Issue #1. Winter 2007
(2.) Karlstrom, Solvie. "Tapped Out: The True Cost of Bottled Water" National Geographic: The Green Guide, Issue #121.
(3.) Blumenfeld, Jared and Leal, Susan. "The Real Cost of Bottled Water: The San Francisco Chronicle 18 February 2007.
(4.) Karlstrom, Solvie. "Tapped Out: The True Cost of Bottled Water" National Geographic: The Green Guide, Issue #121.
(5.) Gitilitz, J. and Franklin, P. "Water, Water Everywhere: The Growth of Non-Carbonated Beverages in the United States" Container Recycling Institute. February 2007.