Those that buy bottled water have very expensive piss.

[Guest 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 May 8, 2012 by Peeves

[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.ca/fn-an/securit/facts-faits/faqs_bottle_water-eau_embouteillee-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.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/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 May 9, 2012 by guyser

[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.

[Guest 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 May 9, 2012 by Bonam

[TimG]

That many sources of water in bottles come from a tap source same as city water?

And that same tap water is used to make pop and any number of other sugary drinks which people pay top dollar for. What possible reason do you have to single out bottled water? Why aren't you ranting about the entire bottle beverage industry?

[guyser]

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.

If they are drinking bottled water at home, in a city , then that is pretty dumb and wasteful. People are free to do so , but it really is silly spending 60C to a buck for something thats already there and cost 1 cent for the same amount.

To each their own, but the waste is something we all have to deal with and pay for so...

And that same tap water is used to make pop and any number of other sugary drinks which people pay top dollar for. What possible reason do you have to single out bottled water? Why aren't you ranting about the entire bottle beverage industry?

I dont have Coke taps in my house....do you ? I have water taps in my house.

Because they are seperate categories. While true Coke uses water for Coke and Dasani BW , more...much more is put in a coke drink justifying most of the cost.

Generally Coke isnt considered a health drink (unless one runs marathons) whereas water is a necessity.

Maybe harsh words to categorize folks as stupid, but it really is not very smart.

There are times of course where BW is needed and necessary. But a proliferation of BW in ones house is pretty dumb.

[TimG]

I dont have Coke taps in my house....do you ? I have water taps in my house.

Who says bottled water is drunk at a house?

much more is put in a coke drink justifying most of the cost.

ROTFL. Coke is sugar water. It has no redeeming value. People drink it because they like the taste. Other people drink Dasani because they like the taste. It makes no sense to criticize one group of people over the other because of personal taste.

How about people that buy water filters? Do you criticize them too? After all they are wasting money when raw tap water is 'just as good'.

If nothing else: tap water can have a strong chlorine taste depending where you are. Bottled water does not have that issue.

Edited May 9, 2012 by TimG

[guyser]

Who says bottled water is drunk at a house?

You made the comparison, not me

ROTFL. Coke is sugar water. It has no redeeming value. People drink it because they like the taste. Other people drink Dasani because they like the taste. It makes no sense to criticize one group of people over the other because of personal taste.

I do not deny the first part.

People drink dasani for the taste? Uh no.....they bought into marketing. No more no less, nothing wrong w it I suppose.

Tests show that people cannot discern betw tap and bottled water

How about people that buy water filters? Do you criticize them too? After all they are wasting money when raw tap water is 'just as good'.

If nothing else: tap water can have a strong chlorine taste depending where you are. Bottled water does not have that issue.

People, for the most part, bought into the filter marketing thing too. Most people fail to realize that not changing that filter means bacteria is going into the water that wasnt there before. Hell, even I bought into that one. Proved to be a scam.

Um...bottled water around here comes from muni taps, same as in your house, same water that comes out of the tap. Bottled water does have that issue

Edited May 9, 2012 by guyser

[bush_cheney2004]

...Um...bottled water around here comes from muni taps, same as in your house, same water that comes out of the tap. Bottled water does have that issue

Ummm...no...not all bottled water. Reverse osmosis processing with pre/post carbon filtering and UV light exposure turns the municipal pee that you enjoy so much into a far better tasting liquid (and solid). You say it's just marketing, but the build up of rust and mineral scale in my plumbing fixtures and pipes tells me otherwise.

Plus it's fun to buy and drink cases of bottled water just to irk the tree huggers preaching their religion.

[guyser]

Ummm...no...not all bottled water.

As i said, bottled water around here ....Yes it does, #1 and 2 brands.

Reverse osmosis processing with pre/post carbon filtering and UV light exposure turns the municipal pee that you enjoy so much into a far better tasting liquid (and solid). You say it's just marketing, but the build up of rust and mineral scale in my plumbing fixtures and pipes tells me otherwise.

Plus it's fun to buy and drink cases of bottled water just to irk the tree huggers preaching their religion.

You mean the same pee you drink out of a bottle? It comnes from the same source, and for the most part, gets less treatment since the othger sources (non-muni) are from springs with no regulation.

With bottled water from muni's, all that is done before it leaves to go to the bottle plant.

Knock yourself out, spend the money to try and irk someone. But with the problem of waste disposal, it is something people should be aware of.

Not to mention its fun to call people who drink bottled water at home stupid.

No more no less.

Edited May 10, 2012 by guyser

[bush_cheney2004]

As i said, bottled water around here ....Yes it does, #1 and 2 brands.

If you say so....I'm sure I can find a vending machine that breaks that jinx.

You mean the same pee you drink out of a bottle? It comnes from the same source, and for the most part, gets less treatment since the othger sources (non-muni) are from springs with no regulation.

Fine by me, as I prefer a more refined pee when drinking or cooking.

Knock yourself out, spend the money to try and irk someone. But with the problem of waste disposal, it is something people should be aware of.

I am very much aware of it, but prefer to use the entire 90 gallon recycling container for which I pay. Plastic, glass, aluminum...it matters not to me. I heard that some Canadians still have to stand in line to get bottle deposits back. How primitive!

Not to mention its fun to call people who drink bottled water at home stupid.

Those who can't afford to do so usually do!

No more no less.

Indeed.

[TimG]

People drink dasani for the taste? Uh no.....they bought into marketing.

It is quite presumptuous for you to assume that you know why people buy a product. The so called taste tests don't mean much because tap water taste varies greatly depending on when and where you take the sample. The reality is some people have bought into the hype just like some people buy into the hype about vitamins, organic foods or calvin klein clothes. But they don't need to justify their choice and busybodies have no business trying to impose their standards on them.

[Bonam]

It comnes from the same source

Repeating the same lie doesn't make it true. Just because the crappy bottled water you choose to refer to comes from the same source, doesn't mean someone with a brain can't read a label and check what the source is. Dasani and Aquafina taste like crap by the way, and I don't drink them. My go to cheap bottled water brands are Arrowhead and Crystal Geyser, both of which really are spring water, not tap water.

The cost is about $0.20 / L by the way. The people who make absurd (and irrelevant) claims like it "costs more than gasoline" are way off. You can always go for the more expensive brands like Evian, and it does taste good, but cheaper spring water brands are good enough for me.

The best water of course is that which I bottle myself when going up to one of the nearby glaciers and collect pristine meltwater that has been frozen as blue ice for tens of thousands of years. Since I bottle it in stainless steel bottles, it also doesn't have the slight plastic taste of commercially bottled water. Sadly since it has to be carried out on your back for 10+ km you can only get a little bit at a time. That stuff is a rare treat, it can be appreciated like a good aged wine.

Edited May 10, 2012 by Bonam

[CPCFTW]

How about the pipes in people's homes being a factor? If you live in an older home, you probably have worse pipes than even a Dasani or Aquafina bottling plant. There's a video of Dasani's purification process here:

http://www.dasani.com/#/about-purification

I can tell you that it looks a lot more sophisticated than my tap... and I'm sure the pipes are far better maintained.

Furthermore, buying bottled water means you don't have to waste time and effort washing cups.