The Truth About Bottled Water
Over the past two decades, the consumption of bottled water has increased enormously. Like the Americans, we spent over 11 billion last year, consuming 8.3 billion gallons of bottled water making it the fifth most lucrative drinks sold in the United States. This is most obviously caused on the one hand, the public ‘perception that our municipal supply may be unhealthful and the second, and a more health conscious trend in America. The explosion of profits for companies like Dasani, Aquafina, Evian, Arrowhead and others were a result in their success in giving us the perception that their water comes from pristine natural water sources as distant glaciers and crystal clear mountain springs . A study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) showed that at least 25% to 40% of bottled water comes directly from the tap “, including Dasani (Coke) and Aquafina (pepsi). (NRDC) also found that after testing 1000 bottles of just over 100 of the most popular brands 33% had bacterial contamination, synthetic organic chemicals including industrial solvents and inorganic contaminants such as arsenic .
Thus, a fault? Almost none. The Federal Food and Drug Admin. (FDA) is responsible for the quality of bottled water in this country and has “less of a person” in charge. It should not be surprising when you learn that water bottled and sold in the same state is exempt from FDA quality control and accounts for 60 -70% of water sold. Only 1 in 5 states that regulate water. Then, when it comes to it, unless the water is acquired explicitly labels its origin and lives up to its label, its most likely only drinking water or filtered tap water that comes from a similar source treated in a similar way, if not less. (NRDC) has examined one of the main producers of “spring water”, which actually came from an industrial parking lot next to a site of hazardous waste. This only seems to be another case of people get duped because they do not inquire. And it gets worse.
The biggest problem is not the water quality, cause is just filtered tap, is the bottle! The bottle may meet, open for weeks at room temperature before being completed and is a breeding ground for bacteria. Even if the mark to choose is really pure and health-friendly “, the bottle was packed in and the time it is saved before it is consumed in a position to radically change its” purity “. Langue water in a plastic bottle from manufacturer, in deposit with the distributor and retailer for that leaves ample time to leech of components from these plastic containers almost exclusively based on crude oil. These components are known agents that cause cancer. This is a real concern.
A new report warns that people thirst for bottled water is unnecessary waste and consume enormous amounts of energy, even in areas where perfectly good drinking water is available on tap. The report, published earlier this month of Earth Policy Institute (EPI), says the global consumption of bottled water doubled between 1999 and 2004, reaching 41 billion gallons (154 billion liters) per year . Bottled water is not often more sound of tap water, but it can be 10000 times more expensive, says Emily Arnold, a researcher with the Washington DC-based nonprofit groups. “A up to $ 2.50 [U.S.] per liter [U.S. $ 10 per gallon], bottled water costs more than petrol,” he said. Most of this additional cost is led by transportation and packaging. “Almost one quarter of all bottled water crosses national borders to reach consumers,” said Arnold. The report gives the example of a company in Helsinki, Finland, which in 2004 shipped 1.4 million bottles of tap water Finnish Saudi Arabia-2700 miles (4300 km) away. Well-known French brands Evian and Volvic export between 50 and 60 percent of their water to destinations worldwide. The report lists the United States as the biggest drinker of bottled water; Mexico is the second highest consumption, followed by China and Brazil. Italians drink the most per person, equivalent to about two glasses per day.
So what do we do? First, Boycott bottled water! Secondly, to have a report of the current local municipal supply and decide whether it is satisfactory. If you know you do not want to drink, look around, you will see there is plenty of sites reverse osmosis water distribution at local corner markets where you can get clean water for about 25 cents per gallon. What is a fraction of the cost of bottled water and is assured of superior quality. From everything I read and studied the real solution lies in purchasing a multi-stage whole house filter. These filters must include a pre-filter, to remove dirt sediments, sand and other particles physical. Then a combination of filters to remove chemicals and bacteria should follow. Systems reverse osmosis provides a good sampling of drinking water, without most of salts that other filters to leave, but to create a fair little ‘waste. Supplementazione minerals is certainly necessary for the person drinking only water reverse osmosis, because many minerals needed are removed.
For a smaller budget, look for individual tap water filters, refrigerator water filters, pitchers and severity of the filters. These small filters budget great job to get most of the chlorine and heavy metals, and then make a clean taste. One thing for certain, it will be better than most of the bottled water you can buy for pennies on the dollar. There are many large water filtration systems out there and can be difficult to choose one that is right for your particular situation.
May 04 2008 12:13 pm | Environment
One Response to “The Truth About Bottled Water”
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May 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I agree with all of the logic presented here.
What I like is that this post encourages accountability by consumers.
We need to be more observant of your own responses to water and adapt accordingly. Ie be more accountable for your health and habits that contribute to it or taketh away.
There is one aspect missing. The’energy’or life that our water possesses.
No matter how ‘clean’ our water (of bacteria) is via filters, chemicals etc it is still lifeless in terms of its ability to do carry out the full range of life giving functions itis able to.Possibly that is why some people don’t feel as much positive impact as they would think when drinking more water.
If we take some time to learn more about what we believe is important (water) then you will find that you will honor it even more, thus honoring yourself more.
As is the case with much knowledge in our lives,we only know of what we are told. What we are told influences what we pursue. We have not been told much about water. So, to many of us, it is just a clear liquid substance no matter what is happening at the microscopic/energetic level.
Google Viktor Schauberger and see what this amazing man had to share about water. He observed it for 20 years.
Anyway the point I haven’t made yet is that water ain’t water. It resonates with its immediate environment absorbing the beneficial or debilitating aspects of that environment.
Much research has been done on waters ‘intelligence’. If this was more widely known then maybe we as consumers of drinking water could be the judge – not the mainstream scientists who deliver the message to mainstream media who far too often we believe without question.
You be the judge.