What’s worse is that it takes about three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water. This is simply illogical when tap water in the U.S. is federally regulated. However, we insist that bottled water is better. 

But a closer look proves that tap water can be, in most cases, better for us than bottled water. One reason is that many of the natural minerals found in water are filtered out when prepared for bottles. These minerals are harmless and perhaps beneficial to our health, but most prefer water without them simply to accommodate taste preference. 

Tap water also isn’t stored in unnecessary plastic. Depending on the type of water bottle, just one takes at least 450 years to biodegrade. Considering that nearly 90 percent of these bottles in the U.S. aren’t recycled and that bottles made with polyethylene terephthalate never decompose, this is a major problem. Yes, some of the most “trusted” water bottle industries will use these chemicals in their plastic and could prove to be harmful when exposed to heat and sunlight. 

Speaking of chemicals, many water bottle companies will use new or untested industrial chemicals in their water and distribute it for consumption. Companies may also use tap water and bottle it to make more money by charging consumers with ridiculously unreasonable prices, just because it’s in a bottle. 

Most of us can do without bottled water and the harmful environmental problems and health concerns they come with. Perhaps we need to think twice before reaching for that plastic bottle when the tap is right in front of us.

— Holly Johnson
Freshman, Sixth College