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The True Cost of Bottled Water

Discover the differences between bottled and tap water, their impact on health and the environment, and make an informed decision on your drinking water choice.

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The True Cost of Bottled Water

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  1. The True Cost of Bottled WaterApril Hight, MPH studentWalden UniversityPUBH 6165-3Instructor: Dr. Robert MarinoWinter Term, 2011

  2. By the end of this presentation you will be able to: • Recognize the differences between bottled and tap water • Be aware of the effects of bottled water on your health and the environment • Make an educated choice on whether or not you will drink bottled water or tap water

  3. You want how much? For water? • American’s spend billions of dollars every year on bottled water (Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 2010). • The average bottle of water costs 2,900 times the price of the same amount of water you’d get from your faucet at home(Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, 2010). Centers for Disease Control (CDC), (2010). Commercially bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/bottled/ Karlstrom, S., Dell’Amore, D. (2010). National Geographic. Why tap water is better than bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100310/why-tap-water-is-better/

  4. Some reasons why people choose bottled water • People believe that bottled water is a safer option than tap water • Bottled water is a healthier option than soft drinks, etc • Bottled water is convenient

  5. Get the facts, before you spend the cash! Key differences between bottled and tap water: • Bottled water is considered a food and therefore, regulated by the FDA (Federal Food and Drug Administration) • Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

  6. Bottled vs. Tap Tap water is tested for microorganisms several times daily (AllAboutWater.org, 2004). Bottled water companies are only required to test once a week (AllAboutWater.org, 2004). Public Water Companies are required to report contaminants (Environmental Nutrition, 2009). One study found 38 pollutants including arsenic and pharmaceuticals after testing water from 10 different bottled water companies ( Environmental Nutrition, 2009). AllAboutWater.org. (2004). The truth about bottled water- is it really better than tap? Retrieved from http://www.allaboutwater.org/filtered-water.html New Study Finds Fault With Some Bottled Waters; Tap Water a Better Bet. (2009). Environmental Nutrition, 32(1), 3.

  7. Know what you’re drinking… Read the label • Look for water treatment methods: • Reverse osmosis • Distillation • Ultraviolet light • Filtration with absolute 1 micron per bottle Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2005). Bottle water basics. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/pdfs/fs_healthseries_bottlewater.pdf • Look for the source: • Protected wells and Spring water are less likely to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium(EPA, 2005). • “Mountain Water” “Glacier Water” not regulated sources (EPA, 2005).

  8. Attention: Don’t drink and reuse • The plastic that bottled water is made from could contain toxins such as phthalate (AllAboutWater.org, 2004). • #1 Polyethylene terephthal (PET) releases chemicals if used more than once (AllAboutWater.org, 2004) • Toxins could lead to possible cancer risk or hormone disruption (AllAboutWater.org, 2004). AllAboutWater.org. (2004). The truth about bottled water-is it really better than tap? Retrieved from http://www.allaboutwater.org/filtered-water.html

  9. Bottled water not only costs more to drink, it can also cost you a smile. • Fluoride was added to municipal drinking water during the second half of the 20th century and lead to a huge decline in dental cavities (CDC, 2010). • Bottled water may or may not contain fluoride(CDC, 2010). • Most contain levels that are less than optimal (CDC, 2010). Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2010). Commercially Bottled Water. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/bottled/

  10. Bottled Water: Effects on the Environment • U.S. Drinks around 50 billion • bottles of water a year(Karlstrom • & Dell’Amore, 2010). • 80% end up in landfills each • year (Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, • 2010). • Water bottles are not • biodegradable and release • toxic chemicals (Karlstrom & • Dell’Amore, 2010). • Karlstrom, S., Dell’Amore, D. (2010). National Geographic. Why tap water is better than bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100310/why-tap-water-is-better/

  11. Some things you’ve probably never thought about… • Increase in fossil fuels due to cooling and transporting (Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, 2010). • Ground pumping can drain watersheds (our natural resources for water) (Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, 2010). • May take 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water (Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, 2010). • Karlstrom, S., Dell’Amore, D. (2010). National Geographic. Why tap water is better than bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100310/why-tap-water-is-better/

  12. Putting things in perspective • Only 0.3% of the earth’s water can be used for human purposes (Moeller, 2005). • 1.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water (Ong’Or & Long-Cang, 2007). • If water consumption continues to be in as high demand, half of the world could be facing water shortage (Moeller, 2005). Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press. Ong’Or, B., & Long-Cang, S. (2007). Water supply crisis and mitigation options in Kisumu City, Kenya. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 23(3), 485–500.

  13. Here’s a challenge: Put your money to better use! • According to the facts, bottled water is no safer than tap water here in America (in fact, it may pose more health hazards) • We’ve discussed how bottled water negatively affects the environment in more ways than one • If we all drank tap water instead of bottled water those extra dollars could go towards better water for everyone! (Karlstrom & Dell’Amore, 2010). • Karlstrom, S., Dell’Amore, D. (2010). National Geographic. Why tap water is better than bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100310/why-tap-water-is-better/

  14. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to this presentation.

  15. References AllAboutWater.org. (2004). The truth about bottled water- is it really better than tap? Retrieved from http://www.allaboutwater.org/filtered-water.html Centers for Disease Control (CDC), (2010). Commercially bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/bottled/ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2005). Bottle water basics. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/pdfs/fs_healthseries_bottlewater.pdf Karlstrom, S., Dell’Amore, D. (2010). National Geographic. Why tap water is better than bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100310/why-tap-water-is-better/ Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press. New Study Finds Fault With Some Bottled Waters; Tap Water a Better Bet. (2009). Environmental Nutrition, 32(1), 3. Ong’Or, B., & Long-Cang, S. (2007). Water supply crisis and mitigation options in Kisumu City, Kenya. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 23(3), 485–500.

  16. For more information, check out these websites: • http://www.allaboutwater.org/ Contains helpful information on bottled water and filter use. • http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/BottledWaterCarbonatedSoftDrinks/ucm077065.htm Contains bottled water regulations for contaminates

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