June 2008 - What's In That Water Bottle?

Recently, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) published the results of a four-year study in which researchers tested more than 1,000 samples of 103 brands of bottled water, and found, "an estimated 25 percent or more of bottled water is really just tap water in a bottle— sometimes further treated, sometimes not."

Considered a food product, bottled water is regulated by the FDA. There are more than a dozen types of bottled water. Water products are normally categorized according to the source of the water and the method(s) used by the bottler to treat it.

Artesian Water is water that originates from a confined aquifer that has been tapped. A popular brand is Jewel.

Mineral Water contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids (TDS), and comes from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. Brands include Crystal Geyser and Perrier.

Sparkling Water contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at emergence from the source. Brands include Canada Dry, Crystal Geyser, Perrier, Safeway, and Shasta. The carbon and water can be separated, then recombined.

Spring Water comes from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the Earth's surface. Brands include Arrowhead, Black Mountain, Castle Rock, Crystal Geyser, Dannon, Deer Park, Dominick’s, Evian, Glacier Springs, Kroger, Private Selection, Safeway, Sahara and Master Choice.

Purified Water is water is ground water, well water or municipal water (that’s right -- tap water) purified by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes. Also referred to as "demineralized" water, brands include: Aquafina and Dasani.

To be listed as Sterile Water, water must meet the requirements under "sterility tests" in the United States Pharmacopoeia. Fluoridated water contains fluoride added within the limitations established in the FDA.

Tested bottled water, has not shown to be, on average, any better, or "purer" than tap water. In fact, in practice, about 70 percent of bottled water never crosses state lines for sale, making it exempt from FDA inspections and regulations.

Bottled water is expensive. At five cents an ounce on average -- bottled water, at this moment, costs more than gasoline. Tap water typically costs .002 cents per gallon. If your typical brand of bottled water is Purified tap water only, then you’re paying way too much. Bottle your own at home.

Bottled water is also costing us environmentally. Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. That plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80 percent of plastic bottles are simply thrown away.

If you still must drink bottled water, check the bottling date first, then store it properly. Bottled water often is stored at relatively warm (room) temperatures for extended periods of time, generally with no residual disinfectant contained in it. Several studies have documented that even when there are relatively low levels of bacteria in water when it is bottled, after one week of storage, total bacteria counts can jump by 1,000-fold or more in mineral water.

Water also absorbs phthalate (a synthetic used in plastics) as the bottle gets older. Researchers have identified links between phthalate and genital development in male children, and premature breast development in young girls

Is the convenience of bottled water worth the cost and risk -- financially, environmentally, or physically?

While water remains a healthy choice for liquid refreshment over other drinks, it is just as likely to do so if we save money and bottle our own.

~ Lisa