| It's Water |
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| Written by T. Bowen |
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The public does not receive the concurrent facts about the great advantages that tap water has over bottled. This undermined fear is in itself the cause for this widespread myth that bottled water will supply one with the nutrients that tap water no longer contains. In addition, many bottle water drinkers believe that the water put in their bottles is worry free from all unhealthy elements that make tap water look and taste the way it does. Studies have proven otherwise. We must take into consideration the public relation ploys used to get us the consumer to pay for a product that is in fact free of cost and all around us. The sales tactic must center on the health and well-being of our loved ones, yet is substituting bottled water over tap water affecting our health at all? When we purchase bottled water at neighboring grocers we genuinely believe that what goes into the water is safe for use to drink. Studies conducted by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) have shown through lab tests that tap water is just as healthy as bottled water, need we mention the cost. According to these same studies many generic bottled water industries, such as grocers brand and bulk warehouse brand waters contain a higher limit of the elements known to cause cancer, and are no more filtered than traditional faucet water. And then we look at the stats of plastic water bottles which are made out of PET plastic. It has the same properties as polyester. So, when it's recycled it can be made into new things like carpet. When it's not recycled, it ends up in the landfill, where it sits for years and years. National statistics show that out of every 10 water bottles that are sold, only two end up coming to a recycling center. The other 8 remain stagnate in landfills for more than 10 years! Post 9/11 and the Anthrax scare have granted us a superior system of water contamination detection within our water sources, the surrounding lakes, damns and holding tanks containing the same water we consumed as kids. A daily test of the major tap water supply systems in America have show that our faucet water is in fact neutrally set, and being monitored and protected by governmental agencies far more frequent and thoroughly than bottled water, making tap water more healthier, convenient and best of all free. Weeks ago I read about a survey conducted at a local college with approximately 350 collegiate professionals. The surveyor recently shared the survey results in a public forum, and concluded that imagery and trend played a significant role in as to why over 320 of the 350 participants purchase and drink bottled water over tap. Sad to say this fact is all together reality, and tends to go back to the reason why our country is dealing with the financial dismays and over consumption of goods that has lead to our economic downfall. There is no major debate on the irreversible demise bottled water has on our environment, yet how hard does not having it in our homes really affect household productivity? A few suggestion alternatives are reusable water bottles with individually unique designs and caricatures to take to work, school and leisure. Since fit is the new Black many people are purchasing color coordinated Brita water filters with matching reusable water bottles as an alternative to the traditional water bottle that can be carried as an environmental fashion statement. Individual participation is needed. This is just one of many examples as to how one minor individual effort, jointly combined can in fact produce a major change. Those small, insignificant acts that we have for so long taken for granted need to be altered in order to accommodate the newly presented worldly changes that are needed to ensure the safe and productive well being of our future generations. It may not be fashionable attractive to fill one’s water bottle with faucet water at work or out during leisure, but when you think about it, what ever is…It’s water.
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