Friday, March 25, 2011

How Do You Like Your Tap Water?

Aquafinito - Watch the Documentary Film for Free Watch Free Documentaries Online SnagFilms

Interesting little 9 minute film on tap water vs. bottle water. Things that stood out to me:
  • We spend more per year ($15 billion) on bottled water than we do on either iPods or movie tickets
  • People can't typically taste a difference between tap and bottled water. (This is true in most urban/developed areas, but from experience, may not be exactly true in rural areas)

In the United States, we have one of the best (if not the best) tap water distribution systems in terms of availability and cleanliness. Yet there is a "fear" of tap water which can be seen in the sales of various filters. This is unfortunate. Humans had to fight past unclean water for centuries. Now that we have it, some of us don't even recognize it?

I do disagree with the premise that corporations are restricting access to water to those "who can afford it", however. Sure, water is something everybody needs, but corporations are selling the convenience of the bottle over tap water. Almost everything sold in our society, in some form, is sold off of the basis of convenience. It's why we're no longer an agrarian society. Not to mention those corporations pay taxes to the government who provides the tap water. Sorry, but you lost me there.

While I'm not an environmental fanatic, this one just makes sense. Why do we continue to buy bottled water as if it were our only option? Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it can save us a heck of a lot of money! Go buy a bottle, refill it, and be merry!

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