Bottled Water

① Over the last 15 years, more and more people in the US have been drinking bottled water. There is no sign of slowing down. In fact, sales of bottled water are going up faster than any other kind of drink. It is true even in cities where it is safe to drink tap water. This has been a disaster for the environment and for our health.

② Most bottled water comes from underground water. Much of this underground water could have flowed into rivers and lakes. Using this water can make droughts more serious. Many companies use water from mountain glaciers, but this is not much better. When the glacier melts, the water usually flows to areas like rivers or wetlands. When companies take glacier water, they take it from areas that need it.

③ It takes about 1.6 liters of water to make one liter of bottled water. This wastes a lot of water. Also transporting the bottled water to stores burns fuel and creates pollution. The problems do not stop when the water reaches people who buy it. Water bottles are made from plastic which does not break down. Although it can be recycled, people usually do not put it in the recycle can.

④ Some may say that bottled water is safer and healthier than tap water. But that is not true. Sometimes chemicals or bacteria get into bottled water, and companies have to destroy them. Actually, tap water is often healthier than bottled water. Bottled water may lack fluoride which helps protect our teeth. Fluoride is found in tiny amounts in tap water.

⑤ Obviously, more people need to know that tap water is safer and healthier. Unfortunately, tap water cannot advertise itself. When a product that is cheaper and better does not win, that is bad news. When the product is water, we all lose.