When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled water
companies do something really peculiar. They sell a product
freely available to every man, woman, and child in every
home – water. And they sell it very, very successfully.
Bottled water in America comprises a multi-billion dollar
industry and growing. In fact, its the fastest growing
segment of the beverage industry. And why is that?
Bottled water advertising gives many people the impression
that it”s safer for them and their kids to drink. Companies
convince you to hand over your money for their product at
the store by showing images of crystal clear water in ads
and commercials, which have you believing their water
provides higher quality than what comes out of the faucet at
home.
Well, Ive got some not-so-good news. Most bottled drinking
water, at best, is as good as tap water. In fact, in the
month of March in 1999, the National Resources Defense
Council reported that over 40% of bottled water comes from
city water systems, just like tap water. So in this case,
you”re unnecessarily paying for tap water wrapped in a
bottle, label, and lid, not higher quality water from some
natural spring.
Here”s another eye opener: Companies who bottle and sell
water are under the same regulations and purity standards as
city water systems
if they sell their water across state
lines. The key phrase being “across state lines”.
Most companies get around those watchful government eyes by
only selling their water within the same state they have it
bottled! Because when they do that, they are pretty much
unregulated by government agencies. So the next time you go
the supermarket look on the label and see where it was
bottled. More than likely, you”ll see the same state you”re
currently residing in.
Here”s what this all means:
City water systems that provide tap water have to test for
water pathogens that can cause intestinal problems in your
children, like diarrhea. Bottled water companies don”t have
to do this.
City tap water has to meet a specific standard for some
toxic, potentially cancer-causing chemicals. Bottled water
isn”t held to the same standard.
City water systems must inform you about what in the water
they offer you every year. Bottled water companies actively
resisted the same requirement for their water, and they
continue to resist this and other policies that require them
to be subjected to stricter regulations and be more upfront
with you, the public. And the list goes on.
Bottled water companies don”t deliberately try to put the
health of you and your children at risk. Nor do they
outright lie to you about the safety of their water.
But if you think drinking bottled water will spare you from
any possible illness associated with contaminants found in
tap water, you”re buying on blind faith. And joining
millions of people who make many companies billions of
dollars based on an unproven premise. When it comes to your
kids” health, why take a chance? And why waste your money?
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