52 replies to this topic

[Peeves]

Did you know there have been 400 recalls of bottled water?
That if you filled a personal sized water bottle 1/4 full of oil that's how much oil it takes to manufacture a bottle?

That most water bottles can't be recycled?
That many sources of water in bottles come from a tap source same as city water?
That bottled water gets less testing than city water?
That most bottled water isn't safer/ cleaner?

So who conned a nation?

Edited by Peeves, 08 May 2012 - 02:12 PM.

[fellowtraveller]

did you know that Evian, that very pricey French water, is 'naive' spelled backwards?

[Bonam]

Ah here we go again. Personally, I drink almost exclusively bottled water. Why? Because it tastes better. Like way way better. If I try to drink tap water throughout the day, just to the amount that I want to drink, I'll drink less than half as much water, just cause it doesn't taste good. Some people can't notice the difference in taste, others can.

As for bottled water that comes from city water: read the damn label. If you're after spring water, buy only bottled water that explicitly states what spring it comes from, rather than blindly buying a random water bottle and then complaining about it.

As for recycling, if one cares, the solution here is to get those 18L water cooler bottles. They are not thrown away after use, but rather are re-used continually. You can have a water cooler at home, and fill a reusable metal bottle with the spring water, then drink that throughout the day. It's also the cheapest way to get bottled water, as you can fill your 18L bottles yourself with various brands of spring water at many grocery stores for a fraction of the cost of what it would take to get those brands of water in small plastic bottles. That's what I do.

As for testing, considering that the leading brands would pretty much go out of business if there was any scandal or problem with their water, that their whole company depends on the water's quality and reputation, I'll trust they do their best to test it as thoroughly as possible.

[Topaz]

Health Canada website has 28 Q&A for bottle water sold in Canada. I buy bottle water because they put too much chlorine in the water and it smells like a swim pool. No one in my area will drink it, besides chlorine causes cancer. http://www.hc-sc.gc....teillee-eng.php

[bush_cheney2004]

Ah here we go again. Personally, I drink almost exclusively bottled water. Why? Because it tastes better. Like way way better.

Like...totally better. It's not even close. I will only drink bottled water now, and can't won't go back to drinking tap water like a dog.

[Bonam]

Like...totally better. It's not even close. I will only drink bottled water now, and can't won't go back to drinking tap water like a dog.

Haha

[GostHacked]

http://www.organicco...water121003.cfm

A 2001 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study confirmed the widespread belief that
consumers associate bottled water with social status and healthy living.
Their perceptions trump their objectivity, because even some people who
claim to have switched to bottled water "for the taste" can't tell the
difference: When Good Morning America conducted a taste test of its studio
audience, New York City tap water was chosen as the heavy favorite over the
oxygenated water 02, Poland Spring and Evian. Many of the "facts" that
bottled water drinkers swear by are erroneous. Rachele Kuzma, a Rutgers
student, says she drinks bottled water at school because "it's healthier"
and "doesn't have fluoride," although much of it does have fluoride.

Bottled water is so ubiquitous that people can hardly ask for water anywhere
without being handed a bottle. But what is the cost to society and the
environment?

and .....

An earlier NRDC-commissioned study tested for hundreds of different
chemicals in 38 brands of California bottled water. Two samples had arsenic
contamination, six had chemical byproducts of chlorination, and six had
measurable levels of the toxic chemical toluene. Several samples violated
California's bottled water standards. In a study published in the Archives
of Family Medicine, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Ohio
State University compared 57 samples of bottled water to Cleveland's tap
water. While 39 of the bottled water samples were purer than the tap water,
15 of the bottles had significantly higher bacteria levels. The scientists
concluded that although all of the water they tested was safe to drink, "use
of bottled water on the assumption of purity can be misguided."

Reminds me of the Pepsi Paradox.

[guyser]

Some people buy into the myth that tap water is better, some do not , and some know tap water is safe or safer than BW .

And some, like Dasani and Aquafina (top 2 selling brands) are municipal tap water in a bottle. Bottled from city water in Brampton, Miss, Calgary and Vancouver.

City of Toronto tap water is constantly monitored, tested and comes originally from a pretty clean source to start with.(and damn it, good tasting)

Tap water all the way for me, and thats on average about 4-5L a day

As shown, most blind tests return results that prove embarassing to those who favour BW

Edited by guyser, 09 May 2012 - 08:49 AM.

[Shakeyhands]

Tap water all the way for me, and thats on average about 4-5L a day

Your poor bladder.....

[guyser]

Your poor bladder.....

Actually thats only true when you build up to that level. Once the body is used to it then it really isnt bad at all.
Being a runner helps, and on hot humid days , the amount is way above that rate.

[Peeves]

Of course most can't tell the difference. The cost in oil and waste is unconscionable.
Many suppliers of bottled water are taking 'our' water free of charge then selling it,also unconscionable.

Besides accepting the taste of say chlorine is a factor, a tap (or other) filter eliminates that, as I can attest.

Those choosing bottled water over municipal water supplies are certainly uncaring about the environment or common sense given the available facts on line.

Nya!

[TheNewTeddy]

Did you know that most people, when out for a walk or riding the bus, can't hold water in their hands for a long trip, and that the majority of people today, do not want to carry around a water bottle with them everywhere they go all day long?

I'm not saying people who drink bottled water at home without reason are not stupid - they are - but I've never done this, and I resent being tarred with the same brush because I get thirsty on a 4 hour bus ride to another city.

[guyser]

Many suppliers of bottled water are taking 'our' water free of charge then selling it,also unconscionable.

Please post a link.

I would like to read about companies that have free water pipes into their bottling facilites.

[GostHacked]

Did you know that most people, when out for a walk or riding the bus, can't hold water in their hands for a long trip, and that the majority of people today, do not want to carry around a water bottle with them everywhere they go all day long?

If they don't want to carry around water when out and about (for whatever reason) then that is not my problem, but theirs. Anyone out for a long walk or jog carry water. People on bikes carry water. It pays to stay hydrated.

Some people don't like paying more for bottled water than gasoline either.

I'm not saying people who drink bottled water at home without reason are not stupid - they are - but I've never done this, and I resent being tarred with the same brush because I get thirsty on a 4 hour bus ride to another city.

I have a stainless steel water bottle that I carry around most of the time with me. There are portable water bottles that have filters in them so you can put water in it from almost anywhere and you will get clean drinking water. And if you are making a long trip, at least try to be prepared some.

How the hell do you think people did it before????

[Bonam]

I'm not saying people who drink bottled water at home without reason are not stupid - they are ...

Who are you calling stupid? I love how quick all you fools are to pass judgement. People will pay for products that they prefer. Period. Some of us prefer the taste of certain brands of bottled water as compared to tap water. And we'll drink it whether or not some moralizing jerk that can't keep their nose out of other people's business thinks its stupid.

I think it's stupid that people drink beer. Do you see me creating threads that people waste money and resources on bottling and distributing it? No. None of my business.

Of course most can't tell the difference. The cost in oil and waste is unconscionable.

Unconscionable eh? What about the waste associated with making all other kinds of consumer products that aren't strictly necessary? Bottled water is a product like any other. Some people like it, others don't. No one is forced to drink it if they don't want to.

Edited by Bonam, 09 May 2012 - 02:20 PM.