BOTTLED DRINKING WATER

Bottled Drinking Water

Abstract

Sales of bottled water in the United States have increased dramatically since the 1980s. This increase is largely due to an effective advertising campaign that directly appeals to fitness-conscious Americans looking for healthy alternatives to tap water. These campaigns emphasize the purity of bottled water through advertisements and packaging labels featuring impressive glaciers and flowing mountain springs. Bottled water consumption has skyrocketed over the past several years. In 2007, some 200 billion liters of bottled water were sold worldwide, and Americans took the biggest gulp: 33 billion liters a year, an average of 110 liters per person. That amount has grown 70% since 2001, and bottled water has now surpassed milk and beer in sales. In order to verify the ethical issues regarding bottled drinking water is studied.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION5

Introduction5

Context Of Study5

Significance Of The Study6

Effects Of Bottled Water7

Environmental Effects7

Energy Use In Manufacturing, Storage And Transport8

Local Effects On Water Resources9

Solid Waste Generation10

Economic Effects10

Health Effects11

Bottled Water Controversy12

Research Aim12

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW13

Different Varieties13

Federal Regulations14

High Standards14

Bottled vs. Tap18

Surging Sales20

To Filter or Not to Filter?20

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY26

Methodology26

Research Design26

Approach27

Strategy29

Data Collection Method30

Interview31

CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION33

How to increase your water consumption ?33

Summary of Results of NRDC Testing34

NRDC testing: the good news34

NRDC testing: the bad news35

Other Surveys of U.S. Bottled Water Quality45

Potential for Disease from Bottled Water46

Bottled Water and Vulnerable Populations47

Bottled Water Storage and Growth of Microorganisms48

Conclusions Regarding Bottled Water Contaminants49

Cautions To Consider49

Water Purification & Water Filtration Systems50

Water Filters50

Metaphysical Considerations51

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION53

Future Research54

REFERENCES59

Chapter One: Introduction

Introduction

In America and certain other countries, many consumers believe that natural mineral waters have medicinal properties or offer other health benefits. Such waters are typically of high mineral content and, in some cases, significantly above the concentrations normally accepted in drinking-water. Such waters have a long tradition of use and are often accepted on the basis that they are considered foods rather than drinking-water per se.

On the other hand, in some countries, bottled waters with very low mineral content, such as distilled or demineralised waters, may be offered for sale. While a large number of people have traditionally consumed rainwater which is similarly low in minerals without apparent adverse health effects, WHO has no scientific information on the benefits or hazards of regularly consuming these types of bottled waters.

Context Of Study

Bottled water is drinking water packaged in bottles for individual consumption and retail sale. The water can be glacial water, spring water, purified water. Many countries, particularly developed countries, regulate the quality of bottled water through government standards, typically used to ensure that water quality is safe and labels accurately reflect bottle contents. In many developing countries, however, such standards are variable and are often less stringent than those of developed nations.

Significance Of The Study

In the United States, specific definitions and meanings ("standards of identity") apply to the most common types of bottled water. Bottled water manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the FDA established standard of identity for bottled water products.

Reusing plastic water bottles could be potentially harmful because bacteria builds up in the ...