Bottled water.

[Wild-Woman]

Just wondered what folks thoughts were on the subject of bottled water.
I do drink it if I'm out and it's convenient but I do wonder whether it's a bit of a fantasy to think that it is any better than tap water-which I also drink gallons of.
It does concern me about the amount of plastic we use through using bottled water- or any other soft drink come to think of it.
I also wonder when the 'trend' to drink bottled water started. I can't remember when it all really kicked off and why?

I can understand the need moreso when abroad and we have no real idea of the cleanliness of water and where it's from, but on the whole, the standards of water in this country are good. Granted, there have been instances of impurities and unexceptable levels of bacteria in some supplies across the land but how do we know that there aren't the same problems with bottled water from time to time.

Your thoughts in a sensible and friendly discussion please.

[lol geoff]

I think the fashion started in the eighties along with yuppies, nuevelle cuisine and the need for refreshments for the runners that took part all the marathons and fun runs that started around that time. I prefer to drink tap water but that might be due to my thrifty nature , my wife however only drinks bottled fizzy water at home with a slice of lemon. We allways recycle the plastic but it still seems to be a waste of valuable resources, making and disposing of all those millions bottles.

[gfilmsuk]

It seems that everywhere you go these days there are people running around clutching bottles of water or cardboard cups of coffee as though their lives depended on it. Everyone seems to be obsessed with 'must have a drink in my hand at all times'.
I have a water filter and replenish my plastic bottle from it whenever I want.
I must be a minority as I can go several hours without a drink.

[badgerwatcher]

It goes with the designer tracksuit, doesn't it?
I wear old track suit trousers and an old T shirt to the gym and refill my plastic bottle from my water filter, but then I'm not trendy or 'on the pull'.

[kml]

This has been a hot topic in our area as someone obtained the Councils expenses list.It was surprising just how much was spent on bottled water.I can`t remember how much off the top of my head but I know it was a huge lot.

[Gill Catton]

this is a personal annoying thing for me.....

Personaly I resent spending money on something I can get at home for a fraction of the price which is just as good for me. - Id rather pay for someone in a country where drinking the available water means they might die to be able to have clean water. Whenever I hear someone complain about the taste of tapwater I understand what they are saying but still my brain switches to the images in my head brought back from Madagascar of families forced to drink from the same streams they wash in and that their sewage ends up in. We're so lucky and yet still complain and switch to something that is ultimately more harmful to the world because we percieve that it tastes better. - but then undoubtedly here I'm being hypocritical because I'm sure there are things I do because I prefer it, even though ultimately its more harmful - like eating KFC (oh how I wish you could buy free range kfc then I'd only have calorie related guilt) or driving distances I could walk.

Also this is spring water that would otherwise be going into streams and rivers and ponds and lakes and things so presumbly the spring water industry results in less habitat for wildlife? And has this loss been compensated for? Do the water companies create areas of better wetland to compensate?

And then yes the plastic bottles, even if people bother to avoid chucking them into the bin they are shipped to China for recycling I believe - . My fella refuses to stop drinking bottled water 'because its what he's always done' and he doesn't want me telling him what to do its frustrating but at least I can get him to recycle the bottles!

I hope its not long before we get better plastic recycling facilities in this country. I remember reading that although we can recycle plastic into things like fleece materials - making new bottles etc is beyond our national capabilities which seems very odd to me but there you go, being nationally self-unsufficent seems to be an international pastime!!!

sorry rant over

[tufftie]

Well all i can really do is echo Gill's comments though I do have filtered water where i am at the moment because it always reeks of chlorine and tastes really rank!!! Seems to taste and smell okay where i'm going though, so wont need to waste anymore money on filters Not to mention the plastic involved with them

[nightshade]

We have had a real problem with bottled water on our trips up and down the motorways,namely stupid people drinking it while driving!

[Kayleigh]

I buy bottled water then after fill it with tap water and keep it in the fridge. Tap water taste better. I get to reuse the bottle.

[demicav]

We drink a lot of water in this house, mostly tap water but I do occasionally buy bottled for various reasons. I don't think tap water tastes much different really. some people may drink a lot of bottled water as it's seen to be a symbol of a healthy lifestyle. My children take tap water to school every day and it does the job. If I buy bottled I tend to refill with tap water as Kayleigh said.