Bottled Water- A Hoax?

The idea behind bottled water is to have a purified source without contaminates usually found in tap water.  That was what I had in mind when I started drinking bottled water in 1985.  In 1986 I bought my first water filter.  Immediately I noticed a big difference in the way I felt.  According to some recent studies, it appears that “In some cases water is no less polluted than tap water and at 1,900 times the cost, consumers should expect better,” said Jane Houlihan an environmental engineer who co-authored a study by an environmental advocacy group.  

President of the International Bottled Water Association said the study is based on the faulty premise that a contaminant is a health concern in the absence of established regulatory limits or where no standard has been set. 

In 10 brands of water tested,  38 substances including bacteria, caffeine, acetaminophen, fertilizer, solvents, and plastic related substances were found.  Presumably toluene and styrene, used to make plastics, may have leached from the bottles the water comes in. (See related article on this site.) 

Bottled Water is a regulated product subject to federal, state and industry standards.  The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product.  Supposedly, bottled water is subject to the FDA’s extensive food safety and labeling requirements.  State and trade associations regulations may apply.  

The FDA began regulating water as a packaged food in 1938. The EPA regulates the quality of public water supplies.  The FDA must monitor the EPA guidelines and propose comparable regulations for bottled water. The difference between tap water and bottled water is consistent quality and taste.  Tap water comes mainly from rivers and lakes while 75% of bottled water originates from protected sources such as underground aquifers and springs.  About 25% of bottled water comes from municipal sources.  Bottled water can be recalled.  Tap water cannot.

While bottlers are required to test for bacteria weekly, they need to submit samples to either in-house or outside testing labs to be analyzed for other parameters including physical, chemical, and radiological on an annual basis only.  To be fair, many bottlers conduct a number of onsite tests daily.

International Bottled Water Association has a higher set of standards than the FDA.  They developed the program called the Model Code which many states now use.  The FDA does not regulate chlorine but the IBWA does. 

In 2006 I bought my second water filter which was easy to install and a great value.  I bought stainless steel canisters to carry my water in when I am out and a small water filter I use when I travel to filter bottled water that I am forced to use. 

www.kleankanteen.com  for stainless steel containers for water storage

www.multipureusa.com/hwc for a great water filtration system

For more information, consumers can contact IBWA at 1-800-water-11 or log onto www.bottlewater.org.