The Harmful Truth Behind Bottled Water

The popularity of carrying and consuming water bottles has significantly increased in recent years, reaching its peak. Many people choose bottled water for its convenience and accessibility. However, a significant portion are unaware of the harmful consequences that using bottled water can have on the environment and potential health risks it may pose. Despite its convenience, the detrimental impact of bottled water on the environment outweighs its benefits. Contrary to common belief, bottled water is often no safer than tap water.

Even though many people think bottled water is healthier than tap water, the World Wildlife Fund says regulations for bottled water are not as strict. Despite being more expensive, bottled water may not always be safer or better for you. The industry makes $22 billion a year and one-third of Americans drink it regularly. Misleading ads showing pristine mountain springs have made it popular, but in truth, bottled water isn't always more strictly regulated than tap water.

Government and industry estimates indicate that around 25% of bottled water is tap water, with some sources suggesting the number could be as high as 40%.

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The FDA exempts 60-70% of bottled water in the US from its standards, stating that its regulations do not apply to intrastate sales. Besides monitoring food safety, tobacco products, and dietary supplements, the FDA also excludes carbonated and other bottled waters from its standards and instead uses a broad sanitation rule without defined contamination limits.

It is a common misconception that the FDA's regulations for tap water are as strict as the EPA's rules.

The EPA oversees regulation of municipal tap water to protect human health and the environment, while bottled water companies may not follow these regulations. This could result in bottled water being more harmful than tap water because the FDA does not have equally rigorous standards for bacteria levels. For instance, tap water must be free of E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria, which serve as contamination indicators. The FDA allows a certain level of bacteria in tap water, whereas bottled water facilities only need to test for coliform bacteria once a week compared to large city tap water undergoing testing over 100 times per month.

City tap water and bottled water are regulated differently for toxic chemicals like phthalate, which can be found in plastic. Cities test for contaminants every four months at certified labs, while water bottlers only test annually and without certification. Despite the belief that bottled water is safer, it actually has looser regulations than city tap water. Stricter regulations are needed to protect consumers.

The lucrative industry of bottled water, driven by the belief that it is cleaner and safer than tap water, generates billions of dollars annually and results in the production of millions of non-recyclable bottles due to the chemicals used. This mass manufacturing leads to a significant environmental impact as many bottles end up in landfills each year, causing soil pollution from chemicals leaching out over time and harming plant growth.

"Ground water seeping deeper into the ground and reaching the reservoir is a waste of natural water resources due to water bottle disposal," Joe Hartz pointed out. The production of plastic for water bottles requires a significant amount of energy and resources, having negative environmental impacts. Professor Alan Hunt emphasized that the increased power needed for production results in more fossil fuels potentially being used, depleting these resources. This excessive energy and resource consumption throughout the water bottle production process is seen as wasteful. Additionally, water bottles contribute to air pollution, making the air more harmful to breathe."

The industrial plants that manufacture these water bottles also produce other harmful wastes that are damaging to the environment. Bottled water results in about 1.5 million tons of plastic waste annually. Food and Water Watch states that "plastic production requires up to 47 million gallons of oil each year and the plastic used for bottling beverages is high quality and sought after by recyclers." Recent research has raised concern about The Plastics Symbol no. 7, as it has been discovered that many no. 7 plastics are made with Polycarbonate plastic, which has been found to release bisphenol A. This chemical is a known hormonal disruptor that can lead to miscarriages and birth defects, according to a study conducted by scientists at Case Western Reserve University.

Although bottled water is convenient, there are several affordable alternatives to reduce the use of plastic bottles. One choice is purchasing a distiller or filter for home use. Distillers function by boiling and condensing steam to eliminate impurities, decreasing levels of many chemicals. Filters, on the other hand, capture particles in porous material while still permitting water flow, reducing substances like sand and rust. Some people prefer point-of-use water filtration systems to address particular contaminants, even though most tap water already meets EPA standards.

Typically, carbon filters are commonly used on faucets or in pitchers or bottles. These filter devices are affordable, allowing for clean and purified water to be stored in reusable stainless steel or aluminum water bottles. These reusable bottles offer a cost-effective alternative, maintaining the convenience of a water bottle without causing harm to the environment. Implementing a deposit system for bottled water is another method to reduce environmental impact. Encouraging more people to recycle water bottles, as only 20 percent currently do, would significantly reduce the amount of bottles sent to landfills, thereby conserving the environment and providing financial benefits to consumers.

In-home filters or distillers provide a budget-friendly and environmentally friendly alternative, costing approximately ten cents per gallon and offering a safer taste compared to bottled water. This trend is becoming more popular in universities nationwide, with committed students and non-profit groups pushing to eliminate bottled water from school grounds. Students have successfully eliminated bottled water from vending machines, shops, and dining halls while promoting the use of reusable bottles, water fountains, and refill stations. Clare Pillsbury, a Senior at Macalester College, emphasizes the importance of making carrying a water bottle part of student culture.

Recent research indicates that the convenience of bottled water is not worth its harm and lack of cleanliness. There are cleaner and healthier alternatives, such as filtered or distilled water, which are cost-effective and pure. These alternatives do not harm the environment, save money for consumers, and benefit the economy in the long run.