Water is essential for a healthy body. (In fact, 60-70% of our bodies are made up of water.) 
So when my husband recently announced that the landlord of his studio space had decided to get rid of the water cooler and buy bottled water instead, I GASPED! Then I immediately emailed him some of my objections and begged him to reconsider.
First, bottled water is both wasteful and harmful if their containers are not properly recycled and they wind up as trash in a landfill – and every year 38 billion bottles, valued at $1 billion, DO end up in landfills. It even takes approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil to meet America’s $22 billion(!) annual demand of bottled water! Add to that the cardboard bases they use, the plastic wrap that goes around the case and the carbon footprint of transportation… more waste, more trash, more CO2! Not very environmental or economical.
I also have a
n on-going concern with the BPA content in the bottles themselves. Research has shown links to side effects that include behavioral problems, brain development issues, cancers and a whole slew of other debated conditions, especially when consumed by children. That alone should be enough to scare anyone away. Not very healthy.
But now I have a crazy idea… tap water anyone?! I know there will be some groans at this suggestion and objections about the taste, as well as questions about whether tap water is really safe, but in most cases, yes, it is absolutely safe. If you have concerns or just want more assurance, install a water filter… simple as that.
We were raised on tap water, right? But marketers have “gotten” to some of us by glamorizing bottled water (as if it “says” something about us) or claiming some health benefit. Don’t buy it or 
“buy it!” And despite some companies trying to make a more environmental product (like boxed water), I can’t be swayed! Bottled water is convenient, but the best, most environmental, healthiest choice is investing in a good, reusable, stainless steel or aluminum bottle, and “tap into your tap”!
Next time someone asks if you’d like a bottle of water, be prepared to hold it high and say proudly “no thanks… I have my own!”
The biggest issue is with newborns and BPA – they lack an enzyme that helps them metabolize it (unlike adults, who can metabolize it and it is excreted in their urine). Although it’s not good for anyone, it’s most important that bottles and the like are BPA-free for babies.
Personally, our tap water tastes terrible, but I just use my own Sigg and a Brita. Works wonderfully, tastes delicious, and is BPA-free!
Thanks for the great post. Check us out at ecoki.com if you can!
Laurie
http://ecoki.com
I like you am a big promoter of, NO Plastic Water Bottles.
My biggest concern with tap water is the added Fluoride and other prescription meds. that have been found in our, so called “safe” city water.
Most developed countries have banned fluoride in water. Less than 2% of Western Europe drink fluoridated water yet America fails to follow suit with over 50% of the United States population drinking fluoridated water. Fluoride has been shown to cause cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, brain damage, increase the risk of hip fractures and Alzheimer’s. It has also been shown NOT to decrease dental decay.
My thoughts are get a water filler for your home or buy bottled water from a reliable bottler with no fluoride and stay away from store bottled, single serving bottles that are both bad for your health and the environment.
Shari – of course there will always be a question about what is contained in tap water (since that can vary from region to region and even seasonally in the same area), but a recent study of Cleveland water found more contaminants in most major bottled water than in the water that came straight from our faucet! But we certainly do agree that a water filter is the best, most green way to go.
Pingback: » Toxic water from landfills is all around us. - Mom Goes Green
Pingback: » A Happy and Green New Year… from A to Z! - Mom Goes Green
If you drink tap water you better have a super water filter that gets everything out, including all the chemicals. In addition to chlorine and fluoride, which is a toxic waste product derived from fertilizer, there is also a myriad of other contaminants, especially if you live in an older building with aging pipes.
Water test – agreed, a water filter is a great alternative, but bottled water is most likely from municipal water sources anyhow… and how much filtration THAT receives?… who knows! Add to that the BPA leaching and the plastic… yikes! Bottled water is bad news no matter how you look at it, so I will definitely still choose tap!
Pingback: » The A to Z Guide for a Green 2011! - Mom Goes Green
Pingback: » De-chlorinate tap water in one simple (free) step. - Mom Goes Green
Pingback: » Happy Mother’s Day (to Mother Earth too!) - Mom Goes Green
Pingback: » For Father’s Day… help him “go green”! - Mom Goes Green