| Pure drinking water is the basic element in | | | | water through wooden 2X4 construction |
| any health oriented way of life. Although | | | | material) and mark up the resulting |
| there is a great deal of water in the world | | | | contaminated tap water in bottles as much as |
| less than 3% of the world's "fresh" water is | | | | 1600%. This practice is unethical at best and |
| fit for human consumption and most of the so | | | | very misleading. |
| called drinkable water is not pure. | | | | |
| | | | Recent studies have shown that as much as 25% |
| For the consumer, there are really only three | | | | of all bottled water is nothing more than |
| alternatives supplies of drinking water: | | | | high priced repackaged tap water. |
| Municipal tap water, well water and bottled | | | | |
| water. | | | | And some studies and reports have revealed |
| | | | that some bottled water products that are not |
| Although regulated by the Environmental | | | | regulated contain as much as 1,000 to 15,000 |
| Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States | | | | colonies of bacteria per quart. |
| Government, tap water contains significant | | | | |
| contaminants even after treatment and the | | | | A number of suppliers of bottled water brand |
| pipes and other infrastructure of most | | | | their water as "Spring Water" but |
| municipalities in the United States add | | | | investigation has shown that there are very |
| additional contaminants before the water gets | | | | few good springs near large bottling plants. |
| to the consumer. | | | | Since transportation of water is a critical |
| | | | cost element in the final price, the consumer |
| Most tap water supplies also contain | | | | must be careful to ensure that the water did |
| significant chlorine additives to kill | | | | indeed originate from a spring fed source. |
| bacteria and chlorine ruins the smell and | | | | |
| taste of the water. | | | | It must also be noted that even if the |
| | | | bottled water did come from a spring, springs |
| Well water is not regulated by any agency and | | | | today are subject to significant industrial |
| is often subject to industrial and animal | | | | and agricultural runoff that causes |
| (and sometimes human) contamination. | | | | contamination. |
| | | | |
| As a result of the many problems with | | | | The only sure way to get a consistent source |
| municipal tap water and well water, bottled | | | | of pure water is by purchasing from a |
| water has become a popular drink for human | | | | supplier that processes and purifies water. |
| consumption. But most bottled water has | | | | Many experts agree that a steam distillation |
| contamination problems as well. The statement | | | | process complimented by the addition of |
| "Bottled Water" does not guarantee purity. | | | | oxygen through ozonation creates the purest, |
| | | | freshest tasting water and there are a number |
| In terms of regulation, only a handful of | | | | of companies that utilize this water process. |
| states have regulation for bottled water so | | | | And unlike some bottled water companies, |
| this type of water can come from any source | | | | purified water suppliers have made a |
| (even bottled tap or well water). | | | | considerable investment in plant and |
| | | | equipment. |
| For water distributed through Interstate | | | | |
| Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration of | | | | Rigorous FDA testing is utilized by the best |
| the United States Government does establish | | | | purified water companies as a means to ensure |
| rigorous standards but this regulation does | | | | that their customers receive only the purest |
| not apply to water bottled and sold within | | | | water available. |
| state lines. Any reputable water supplier | | | | |
| subject to FDA regulations and testing will | | | | When choosing any water supplier, the |
| freely supply copies of the test results. | | | | consumer is advised to ask to see the test |
| | | | results of the regulatory agency. If these |
| Some bottled water vendors merely pass low | | | | results show any contaminants in the water, |
| cost tap water through cellular filters | | | | or are unavailable from the water supplier - |
| (there are some vendors who merely pass tap | | | | choose another supplier. |