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