A significant portion of bottled water sold in the United States is sourced from municipal tap water supplies. According to a report by Food & Water Watch, approximately 64% of bottled water comes from municipal sources, meaning consumers often pay a premium for water that is essentially the same as what flows from their faucets.
Understanding the Bottled Water Industry
The bottled water industry has experienced substantial growth over the past few decades. In 1975, Americans consumed about one gallon of bottled water per person annually. By 2005, this figure had risen to approximately 26 gallons per person per year.
This surge in consumption can be attributed to various factors, including perceptions of purity, convenience, and safety concerns regarding tap water.
Sources of Bottled Water
Bottled water is sourced from various origins, including springs, wells, and municipal supplies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies bottled water based on its source and treatment methods:
- Spring Water: Derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the Earth’s surface.
- Artesian Water: Sourced from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands above the top of the aquifer.
- Mineral Water: Contains more than 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids and originates from a geologically and physically protected underground water source.
- Purified Water: Produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes.
Notably, brands like Aquafina (PepsiCo) and Dasani (The Coca-Cola Company) source their bottled water from municipal supplies, treating and purifying it before bottling.
Regulatory Oversight and Quality
In the United States, tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces strict standards to ensure safety and quality. These regulations require regular testing for contaminants, with results made publicly available. In contrast, bottled water is regulated by the FDA as a packaged food product, subjecting it to different standards that may not be as stringent as those for tap water.
This discrepancy in regulatory oversight has led to concerns about the actual quality of bottled water compared to tap water. Some studies have found that certain bottled water brands contain contaminants such as synthetic organic chemicals, bacteria, and arsenic.
Environmental and Economic Implications
The preference for bottled water over tap water carries both environmental and economic consequences:
- Environmental Impact: The production and disposal of plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Most bottled water containers are made from recyclable PET plastic, yet a substantial number end up in landfills, exacerbating plastic waste issues.
- Economic Cost: Bottled water is considerably more expensive than tap water. Consumers pay from 240 to over 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water than they typically do for tap water. An annual supply of bottled water for a person who consumes eight glasses a day would cost approximately $200, whereas the same amount of tap water would cost about $0.33.
Consumer Perceptions and Marketing
The bottled water industry’s marketing strategies have played a pivotal role in shaping consumer perceptions. Advertisements often depict bottled water as pure, pristine, and superior to tap water, influencing consumers to believe in its higher quality. However, as studies have shown, this perception does not always align with reality.
Recommendations for Consumers
Given the information above, consumers are encouraged to:
- Stay Informed: Research and understand the source of the bottled water brands they purchase. Transparency from manufacturers regarding water sources and treatment processes is crucial.
- Consider Tap Water: In many areas, tap water meets high safety standards and is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water.
- Use Filtration Systems: For those concerned about tap water quality, using home filtration systems can provide additional assurance and improve taste.
By making informed choices, consumers can ensure they are not only protecting their health but also contributing positively to environmental sustainability and economic savings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while bottled water is often marketed as a cleaner and safer alternative to tap water, the reality is that a significant percentage—nearly 64%—of bottled water in the United States is simply repurposed tap water that has undergone additional filtration. This fact, combined with the often higher cost of bottled water and its substantial environmental impact, raises important questions about whether choosing bottled water is truly the better option. Tap water, regulated more strictly in many areas and available at a fraction of the cost, often provides the same—if not higher—quality as bottled water. Furthermore, the environmental cost of producing, transporting, and disposing of billions of plastic bottles each year cannot be ignored, especially when viable alternatives like reusable bottles and home filtration systems are easily accessible.
