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Dr. Mercola
July 05 2008
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How Most Americans Were Conned Into Drinking Bottled Water

bottled waterWhy did Americans spend nearly $11 billion on bottled water in 2006, when tap water costs only one ten-thousandth the price of bottled? Elizabeth Royte examines the phenomenon in her book “Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It.”

Part of the reason is simple marketing; in 2006, Pepsi, which owns Aquafina, spent $20 million suggesting that Americans “drink more water.”

But another factor, according to Royte, is the failure of the public sector; the United States may need to invest $390 billion in its failing water infrastructure by 2020. In 42 states, tap water contains at least 10 different pollutants on the same day. Bottled water, however, is no panacea for purity issues; it is also loosely regulated and just as hazardous.

Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Despite the obvious environmental toll of all those plastic water bottles, bottled water consumption is still on the rise in the United States. In 2007, Americans drank nearly 7 percent more bottled water than they did in 2006, according to Beverage Marketing Corporation. Meanwhile:
  • In 2007, Americans drank over 29 gallons of bottled water each
  • U.S. bottled water reached nearly 9 billion gallons last year
  • Americans drink more bottled water than any other beverage except carbonated soft drinks
In Elizabeth Royte’s book Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It, it says that Americans use about 1 billion bottles of water a week. 1 billion!

With these massive amounts of plastic, it’s no wonder that a plastic “stew” that’s twice the size of Texas is swirling through the Pacific Ocean.

Aside from all of this waste, a bottle that holds 1 liter of water requires 5 liters of water in its manufacturing process. Beyond being wasteful, this is simply not an efficient use of limited resources.

The benefit to drinking bottled water, of course, is that drinking clean water free of toxins is essential for good health. But the idea that “pure” water only comes from a bottle is a myth.

Bottled Water Isn’t Always Safer Than Your Tap

Your expensive bottled water may have come from a well in an industrial facility parking lot. In fact, up to 40 percent of bottled water is bottled tap water that may or may not have received additional treatment.

On top of that, the metal antimony has been found in many bottled water brands. One study that looked at 63 brands of bottled water produced in Europe and Canada found concentrations of antimony that were more than 100 times the typical level found in clean groundwater (2 parts per trillion). It also found that the longer a bottle of water sits on a shelf -- in a grocery store or your refrigerator -- the greater the dose of antimony present.

The biggest offenders were packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, which are the bottles typically used for bottled water. It is believed that the amount of antimony leeching from these PET bottles differs based on exposure to sunlight, higher temperatures, and varying pH levels.

The manufacture of these bottles can also release phthalates, which have been found to cause birth defects in animals, into the environment. Not to mention that plastic bottles of all kinds can leach chemicals like BPA into your beverage.

Most municipal tap water -- though generally far from pure -- must also adhere to stricter purity standards than the bottled water industry.

What’s Your Best Option for Clean Water?

Personally I rarely use bottled water. About the only time I do is because of the absurd airline policy that prevents one from bringing on their own bottled water (but it is OK to purchase it in the airport gift shops). I will also use bottled water when traveling. However, when home I rely on reverse osmosis filtered water from my well.

So I STRONGLY recommend that you ditch the plastic water bottle mentality and filter your own water at home using a reverse osmosis filter. This enables you to rely on your own well or municipal source for safe, clean water. If you need to take some with you on the road, store it in a glass jar or bottle. In a few months we should have a newly designed glass water bottle you can carry with you that is protected from breaking by a brightly colored neoprene sleeve.

This way you get the best of both worlds: pure water to hydrate your body, and a clear conscience that you’re helping to protect the environment.
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Community Comments ( 95 )
 Comment on this Article
  
  
OnlyTruth
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on July 5, 2008 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Flouride is poison.  When our city decided to dump it in our water, ignoring the objections of the populace, we were left with no choice but to seek out good bottled spring water.  Therefore, it is the government which has forced us into this situation.

I don't drink any other bottled beverage and I find it curious that after all these years of bottled soda, juice, etc. we are suddenly concerned about the environmental impact of bottled water. And yet no mention of banning the other bottled fluids.

Very curious indeed!

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Allen K
 		[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on July 8, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I wish as much attention was given to the reason many of us are forced to drink bottled water (at least on occasion).  There should be as much discussion about fluoride as there is about all the plastic waste.  Bottled tap water is not bad when it's filtered by reverse osmosis.  

And why is all the focus on bottled water instead of soda?  The assumption is tap water is just fine. I'd rather drink bottled water than the poison coming out of the tap.  

I have an RO system at home, but when I'm out and about, I sometime buy bottled water because it's important to keep hydrated.

  
  
samurai
 [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on June 18, 2008 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Ironically, as I was a salesperson at Pepsi, we were taught to sell it, but not necessarily have it as a front feature because it is far more expensive to make Aquafina than soda pop. 
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
healing water online
 		[ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on July 5, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I think I or we could learn a lot from the Pepsi's and Coca Cola, they can sell products that are not healthy and even a lot of it, we have problems in selling healthy products because we dont have the amount of money that is needed for marketing. It is no use to have a product that can save the humans if no one knows it, and how about the Tobaco companies they can sell cigarettes and you get sick of smoking, but people still by it.

What do we do?
  
  
KAC
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on June 18, 2008 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
When you are at the zoo or any place where you want to have a drink and the choices are pop or water, I opt for the bottled water.  Other than that I don't drink and avoid bottled water. 
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
bmc
 		[ Joined on 02/07 ]  [ Posted on June 19, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
We filter our tap water and store it in glass bottles. We tried a stainless bottle for when we are out, but it tastes awful. Maybe it's the brand? Anyway, sometimes buying water has been or better option, but I really don't like  it.
Mercola
  
Aaltrude
 		[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on June 19, 2008]
4 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
We live in the country where we have rain water and spring water. The water goes through several filters on its way into the house. Whenever we travel anywhere when we are likely to need water, we bottle our own water in glass bottles and take it with us. I don't trust the "purity" of bottled water and I do not want to drink water out of plastic. Even if it was pure when put in the plastic bottle it wont be pure by the time you drink it and components from the plastic have leached into the water.
  
  
Blessings Water
 [ Joined on 07/08 ] [ Posted on July 5, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Novice User

We drink ionized alkaline water from a water appliance hooked up to our kitchen fawcett, and would not trade it for anything.  We use glass containers as much as possible, but many places will not allow glass.  If you are not familiar with ionized alkaline water, it is truly life changing.  I have been able to ween myself off of my blood pressure medicine and am in the process of doin the same with my acid reflux meds.  My best friend & her daughter no longer have to endure PMS since they started drinking it and her husband no longer suffers from sleep apnea.  I recently attained a newsletter, printed by an outside source that tells some remarkable results of just drinking the ionized alkaline water.  Not sure if they will allow my website here, but if so it is www.ionways.com/blessings.  May seem a bit expensive, but when considering the enviromental and dollar cost of the bottled water that has very little or NO health benefit - wellllll.  God Bless and Good Health to you all.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Randolph
 		[ Joined on 03/08 ]  [ Posted on July 5, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I purchased a countertop water purifier system in 2001 for $495.00.  My family and friends thought I was crazy!  My system filters, alkalizes 1-5 levels, ionizes, Ph balanced.  It is the best water I have ever tasted and the health benefits are wonderful!  My water is restructed three times smaller which permeates each cell for optimal hydration of each cell. I have not drank bottled or tap water for seven years!!  It is an investment everyone should consider.  I clean my water device two times a year with white vinegar and using a submersible aquarium pump and recirculate the vinegar to remove impurities from the electrical plates and internal parts.
Mercola
  
Arwen in NJ
 		[ Joined on 05/08 ]  [ Posted on July 5, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

You can also buy bottled Artesian Alkaline water if you need to take water with you- google "Evamor" or try www.LiveAcidFree.com
Mercola
  
haggerhoven
 		[ Joined on 12/06 ]  [ Posted on July 5, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I am getting so tired of the pseudo science and wide sweeping claims on this board! Lots of people selling something ultimately...

Let's for a minute think about the etiology of sleep apnea. That alone should make one realize that no kind of water will "cure" it.

Taste and mineral content is a whole other subject.

Anyway, for some fantastic info. on water, it's chemistry, properties, research, and lots of useful links. Highly readable, even for those with limited science background. Visit:    www.chem1.com/.../aboutwater.html
Mercola
  
Leee-la
 		[ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on July 6, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Yahoo, I do the same thing.  I use stainless steel to take my water to work and I am happy.  I put my flowers in acid water, that is better for them and i drink alkaline.  leila
Mercola
  
health bug
 		[ Joined on 12/07 ]  [ Posted on July 7, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Yeah...I agree totally.  I purchased one from www.healthywaterdoctor.com - it is the BEST out there!  No more Cirrohsis of the Liver or MRSA!!!!!!!!!
Mercola
  
Joycexn
 		[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on July 7, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Ionized water is the only water I can actually feel a difference with.  It seems to hydrate so much more quickly and it has awesome detoxing effects. I also like knowing that even though the bad stuff is taken out, I'm still getting the minerals that water naturally carries. It's one of the best investments we've ever made.  We have our own machine and carry the water in either hard #7 plastic or in glass bottles.  
  
  
isoptera
 [ Joined on 01/07 ] [ Posted on July 5, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Novice User

THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE FOR TEETH

          Fluoride has been added to water in the hope that it would reduce tooth decay. However it is a poison that has some serious side effects.

      The side effect that is the most obvious is a discoloration of the teeth called fluorosis [Pendrys]. This is inevitable if the dose of fluoride is only a little over optimum. This is very easy to happen to anyone who drinks a lot of water, say for kidney problems or for baby formula. It is also likely if someone eats or drinks food high in fluoride such as tea [Gulati], coffee, and fluoride insecticide on grapes.

     A more serious effect is irreversible bone deformation [Reddy] and increases of bone fractures [Orcel]. and fluoride interferes with the hydroxylation of proline to hydroxyproline [Sharma]. Therefore fluoride exposure disrupts the synthesis of collagen and leads to the breakdown of collagen in bone, tendon, muscle, skin, cartilage, lungs, kidney, trachea and arteries. [Susheela and Mukerjee] - the type of damage you'd expect to see in connective tissue disorders.

       An even more serious effect is bone cancer in young boys, but for some strange reason, not girls. During the growth spurt during 6 to 8 years the bone cancer rate is 8 times higher in boys living in fluoridated areas than in non poisoned water areas [Bassin].

     Proteins are kept in their three dimensional structure by weak bonds between adjacent proteins called hydrogen bonds. Emsley, et al found that fluoride disrupts this hydrogen bonding within proteins by virtue of an unusually strong bond between fluoride ion and the NH group of amides [Emsley]. In other words, it changes some associated proteins and enzymes from the exact shape they’re suppose to be in. It also reduces the ability of white blood cells to kill pathogens [Weisman].

     The most serious effects of all are damages to the nervous system. Fluoride synergistically with alu

 [ Reply ]
  
  
themikeb
 [ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on July 5, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User

I understand the concerns, but how come NOBODY  moans about the soda and juice bottles that been made of plastic for  decades???????????????????????????????????????????????

I truly believe I got an extra dose of discernement once I eliminated Fluoride out of my  shower and tap water.That is THE ONLY reason  plastic bottles are griped about most of the time, the fluoridation has slowed  too much. The sheeple are coming out of the coma and asking questions.

So belly ache about bottled water, but our elected/selected gubermints   started it by  changing the potable water to a poison ladden liquid that is only good for a  carwash  and flushing.' Affordable'  filter systems leave fluoride in.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
buttrcup0922
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on July 25, 2008]