Municipal Sources

Publicly treated or “municipal” sources are used by 25% of the bottling companies in the US.  Sometimes the companies take additional steps, to insure quality or taste, but in other cases, no other steps are taken.

A municipal source may be surface or groundwater.  In some areas, it’s a river.  In others, there are deep-water wells that require little pre-treatment before being delivered to a home or an industry.

So, is tap water cleaner than bottled water sold at stores in your neighborhood?  It might be just as clean.  It might be the same thing

Springs & Mineral Wells

Springs are points where groundwater flows onto the surface.  But, in many cases, bottling companies collect the waters by means of a well.  In the United States, bottling companies are required to list the name and location of the spring that is the source.

For example, Poland Spring, a Nestle brand, may come from a variety of sources in Maine or Massachusetts.  The company settled a class action lawsuit in 2003 for alleging that their products contain “spring” water, when they actually contain “heavily treated common groundwater”.  The case was settled without Nestle admitting to any wrong doing, but agreeing to make $10 million dollars worth of charitable donations and offering discounts for their products.

If you live in Fryeburg, Maine, you are actually paying Nestle to bottle the water that flows out of your tap.  There are numerous other areas in similar situations.  So, when it comes to “spring-water” bottled in the United States, the answer to “is tap water cleaner than bottled water sold at stores in the neighborhood” is “it is just as clean”.

When it comes to bottled mineral waters, regulations around the world vary.  In the EU, disinfection of natural mineral water is prohibited.  In the US, the waters must contain at least 250 parts per billion of total dissolved solids or TDS. The average TDS content of tap-water is between 42 and 62.

The higher the mineral content, the lower the clarity, sometimes considered a part of “cleanliness”.  So, is tap water cleaner than bottled water sold at stores and labeled “mineral water”?  Yes, in a way tap-water is cleaner.

Tap water around the world contains numerous chemical contaminants, including chlorine, which affects the taste and odor.  Some of the chemicals, both synthetic and naturally occurring, increase our risk of cancers and other chronic diseases.

Public facilities cannot remove all traces of these contaminants.  Reverse osmosis, the choice for treatment used by most bottlers will not remove them.  Parasitic cysts are not removed by public means of disinfection.  They cause illness that can kill the elderly and those already in pore health.  Bottles may also be contaminated with cysts.

A Better Choice - Wisest Option

The best and safest choice is home filtration, using a multi-stage selective device to remove harmful chemicals, while improving taste.  Is tap water cleaner than bottled water sold at stores, when the homeowner has a filter on their tap?

 The answer is “yes”, as long as they chose a high quality product. Since my research compared many brands, I recommend only one.  This is because of not just the price but more importantly it proved to be the best at removing dangerous contaminants.  Advice: Buy no bottled water. Filter your own tap water at home.

 



By: Larry L. Taylor

About the Author:

Bottled water, a multi-billion dollar industry, is growing rapidly. Today more people, approximately 68 percent of consumers, are drinking bottled water. Because of this, bottled water sales are increasing to the tune of nearly 10 percent per year. Americans consumed 8.25 billion gallons in 2006. On average, consumption increased by over 2 gallons per capita to 27.6 gallons.

Many consumers use bottled water thinking it is safer than tap water, which is not necessarily true. The truth is many bottled waters, approximately 25 percent, are nothing but tap water that has been processed and packaged.

Many bottled waters are high in quality, and yet, bottled water may not be the safer alternative. Fact is, bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA regulations are similar to the Environmental Protection Agency regulations on tap water. Currently, the EPA only requires testing for 114 contaminants of the 260 contaminants detected in tap water. The regulations on bottled water are lacking in many respects. For instance, bottled water which is processed and sold in the same state may not be regulated at all.

The Natural Resources Defense Council recently completed a study on 1000 bottled waters and found that 17 percent exceeded unenforceable sanitary guidelines for microbiological purity. They also concluded that most bottled water is no cleaner or safer than tap water. Some bottled waters were found to contain chemical or biological contaminants. 40 percent of the water tested was found to be of good quality.

The source of bottled water comes into question also. Do not be misled by the advertising. The question is - is it really from a sparkling mountain stream, a local tap water supplier, or from a well? Read the fine print on the label. If it states “from a municipal source” or “from a community water system” the source is derived from tap water. Just because the label has a picture of a mountain stream does not mean that was the source.

For example, the NRDC located a bottled water company which produces bottled water from a well located in the middle of an industrial warehouse facility and next to a state-designated industrial waste site in Millis, Massachusetts. The bottled water produced from this facility was found to be contaminated with industrial solvents including trichloroethylene at levels above EPA and FDA standards. At least one of the brands produced there displayed labels with a picture of a beautiful lake and mountain scene.

One thing for sure is, no matter what the source, if water is not properly treated for bacteria and filtered for contaminants it is not safe to drink.

Bottled water is expensive, averaging approximately $2.85 per gallon. The smaller the bottle, the more expensive it is by volume.

More money is spent on packaging, labeling, and marketing of bottled water than the production itself.

Point of use water filters are a more economical, cost effective, and convenient choice. High quality water filters can reduce many contaminants of health concern to a high degree, are more convenient, and produce better drinking water than most bottled water.

For more information concerning our drinking water

see the water today page at http://www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com

Other sites of interest are:

http://www.epa.gov

http://nrdc.org

http://cdc.gov

http://ewg.org



By: Patti Wilson

About the Author:

Fresh water reserves are very limited and the combination of overpopulation and rising sea levels increase the salinity of groundwater.

Compounding the supply problem, fresh water reserves are continually being degraded by air pollution, agricultural run-off and contamination from

wastewater. Sadly, our fresh water reserves are not expandable and must be shared among an ever growing global population. Competition for resources, rising water quality expectations and environmental regulation are combining to stimulate demand for better conservation strategies and more effective treatment processes. Quality standards for bottled and municipal waters are similar.

Today, nearly 70 percent of the worlds fresh water reserves are in the Antarctic region and protection and conservation of this reserve has been identified as a global priority by environmentalists. Approximately 80% of the world’s population lives in the Eastern Hemisphere, while about 80% of the earth’s fresh water reserves are found in the Western Hemisphere. Water, in both quantity and quality, is inextricably linked to public health.

It must be realised that water is a key component of the ecosystem, a natural resource and a public good. We can’t know if we’ll organize ourselves

and educate and mobilize the public in time to keep the crucible of life on our blue marble planet from becoming a dead sea.

It is estimated that total consumer expenditures for bottled water are approximately $100 billion per year—a vast sum that both indicates

consumers are willing to pay for convenient and reliable drinking water and that society has the resources to make comparable expenditures to provide far greater quantities of water for far less money by investing in reliable domestic supplies.

There are detrimental environmental impacts at every stage of the life of a bottle of water, from manufacturing the plastic bottles, to pumping and

bottling the water, to shipping it to consumers, to eventual disposing of the bottles, and sales of bottled water are increasing at nearly 10% a year.

While Americans with annual incomes of $60,000 per year or more are about 35 percent more likely than those of lesser means to buy bottled water,

the purchasers of bottled water are hardly limited to high income yuppies. As far as we are concerned tap water and bottled water are the same, so you

might as well have it free from the tap. You can make your water safer and cleaner for less than a penny per gallon using the most advanced water filters!



By: Paul Rodgers

About the Author:

Industry, agriculture and the general public use over 70,000 different chemicals. Many of which can be found in our environment today, polluting the air we breathe, the soil in which we produce our crops, our lakes, rivers and streams. Many of these toxic contaminants are finding their way to our drinking water sources.

Amazing as it may seem, municipal water treatment facilities are only required to test for 68 of these contaminants. 51% of the U.S. population do not believe that federal laws governing drinking water quality are strict enough. Many people today drink bottled water or use drinking water filters.

Bottled water is heavy to handle, inconvenient and expensive to buy. Most bottled water is of good quality. Some is not as “pure” as they would like us to believe. The Natural Resources Defense Council studied a number of bottled waters and found the vast majority of the waters tested to be good quality drinking water. Approximately 25% was actually nothing but tap water. A few of the waters tested were found to contain contaminants of health concern.

The source of bottled water can be misleading at times. Just because the label displays a picture of a mountain stream, this doesn’t mean it was the source of the water. Read the label and the cap of the bottle, usually the actual source will be indicated. If your intention is to use bottled water as an alternative to tap water, purchase the high quality waters.

The other option is a water filter. There are over 400 companies that manufacture and sell water filtration products that treat contaminants found in our drinking water. Most of these products only reduce chlorine to some degree. Only a few companies produce filters that actually reduce pesticides, herbicides and other chemical contaminants of health concern.

NSF International (National Science Foundation) tests and certifies water purification filters to meet certain standards and all claims of performance the manufacturer makes. Any manufacturer of water filtration products that meet the NSF standards are proud to advertise that fact. NSF certifies what the filtration device can reduce, this does not mean the contaminants listed are in your water supply.

Choosing a water filtration system can be tricky to say the least. There are a number of factors to consider in comparing drinking water filters. The first consideration should be the NSF Certification. Always review the NSF Certification of the product to verify that it will meet your needs. Manufacturer’s certifications can be viewed on the NSF website. www.nsf.org

Quality is a key factor in choosing any drinking water filtration system. A quality system will last for years, saving replacement cost. Quality systems do not come cheap, but in the long run they are definitely the best buy and offer more value in contaminant reduction. Most high quality systems are very efficient, and reduce contaminants to the highest degree. Always look for a system that is certified to reduce Bacterial Cysts, Chlorine, Heavy Metals, Herbicides, Pesticides and a vast array of other contaminants.

Also check the lifespan of the filter itself, as replacement filters can be very costly. If the filter has a high capacity rating it will last longer, requiring fewer filter changes, therefore reducing costs.

Loose carbon filters should not even be considered as they are a breeding ground for bacterial growth, have a very short filter lifespan and are very ineffective.

Solid carbon block filters are highly effective, do not remove the healthy minerals from water, doesn’t require electricity and generally have a high capacity rating. Check the micron rating, 0.5 is is very good. A 0.5 micron filter will effectively reduce particulate matter and bacterial cysts. The NSF certification will tell you which contaminants the filter will reduce and to what degree.

Some people prefer reverse osmosis which can reduce additional contaminants. Please note: reverse osmosis removes minerals from the water. It’s a good idea to take a vitamin/mineral supplement when using this type of filter on a regular basis to replace the healthy minerals removed from the water. Reverse Osmosis also reduces fluoride, which is a good thing. There is no need for fluoride in your drinking water.

Determine what technology is used in the pre-filters and the after filter. Many reverse osmosis units use solid carbon block technology in addition to the RO membrane. An additional filter, such as a solid carbon block, is recommended just prior to the faucet. Again, check the NSF Certification and take into consideration the filter life capacities..

For More Information Regarding

Drinking Water Filtration See The

“Water Today” Page At:

www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com



By: Patti Wilson

About the Author:

Pure drinking water is the basic element in any health oriented way of life. Although there is a great deal of water in the world less than 3% of the world’s “fresh” water is fit for human consumption and most of the so called drinkable water is not pure.

For the consumer, there are really only three alternatives supplies of drinking water: Municipal tap water, well water and bottled water.

Although regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States Government, tap water contains significant contaminants even after treatment and the pipes and other infrastructure of most municipalities in the United States add additional contaminants before the water gets to the consumer.

Most tap water supplies also contain significant chlorine additives to kill bacteria and chlorine ruins the smell and taste of the water.

Well water is not regulated by any agency and is often subject to industrial and animal (and sometimes human) contamination.

As a result of the many problems with municipal tap water and well water, bottled water has become a popular drink for human consumption. But most bottled water has contamination problems as well. The statement “Bottled Water” does not guarantee purity.

In terms of regulation, only a handful of states have regulation for bottled water so this type of water can come from any source (even bottled tap or well water).

For water distributed through Interstate Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States Government does establish rigorous standards but this regulation does not apply to water bottled and sold within state lines. Any reputable water supplier subject to FDA regulations and testing will freely supply copies of the test results.

Some bottled water vendors merely pass low cost tap water through cellular filters (there are some vendors who merely pass tap water through wooden 2X4 construction material) and mark up the resulting contaminated tap water in bottles as much as 1600%. This practice is unethical at best and very misleading.

Recent studies have shown that as much as 25% of all bottled water is nothing more than high priced repackaged tap water.

And some studies and reports have revealed that some bottled water products that are not regulated contain as much as 1,000 to 15,000 colonies of bacteria per quart.

A number of suppliers of bottled water brand their water as “Spring Water” but investigation has shown that there are very few good springs near large bottling plants. Since transportation of water is a critical cost element in the final price, the consumer must be careful to ensure that the water did indeed originate from a spring fed source.

It must also be noted that even if the bottled water did come from a spring, springs today are subject to significant industrial and agricultural runoff that causes contamination.

The only sure way to get a consistent source of pure water is by purchasing from a supplier that processes and purifies water. Many experts agree that a steam distillation process complimented by the addition of oxygen through ozonation creates the purest, freshest tasting water and there are a number of companies that utilize this water process. And unlike some bottled water companies, purified water suppliers have made a considerable investment in plant and equipment.

Rigorous FDA testing is utilized by the best purified water companies as a means to ensure that their customers receive only the purest water available.

When choosing any water supplier, the consumer is advised to ask to see the test results of the regulatory agency. If these results show any contaminants in the water, or are unavailable from the water supplier - choose another supplier.



By: Marcus Stout

About the Author:

Generally speaking, the Federal Government does not purchase pure bottled drinking water for Federal employees unless it can be proved that agency drinking water is unsuitable for drinking.

Proof of water quality however, is a long and time consuming process and many agency employees are forced to drink low quality, bad tasting tap or well water in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area..

Nevertheless, many Federal agency employees now purchase pure drinking water by forming water clubs. Water clubs are formed from individual employees with shared interests of maintaining good health and drinking pure water as a start. The club that is formed agrees to purchase bottled water delivery and usually agrees to rent or buy one or more water coolers for club use on the agency premises.

The club gains purchasing power based on the strength of it membership and the members gain the advantage of pure drinking water for office and event consumption. Office consumption usually takes the form of regular delivery of 5 gallon bottles for water cooler use and 20 oz and 12 oz. small package PET bottles for events or other club occasions.

Some Bottled Water Companies Offer Specific Programs Tailored To Water Clubs.

In Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro area at least one purified bottled water company offers programs tailored to water clubs in the Federal Government. These program offer volume discounts and flexible delivery dates as well as responsive customer service based upon the latest technology and trained staff.

In addition the quality of the drinking water is important. Some bottled water companies merely repackage tap water while other bottled water companies use water from springs or artesian wells that may contain contamination, harmful minerals or bacteria.

What to Look For In a Bottled Water Supplier.

If you are forming a water club in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area it is wise to conduct some due diligence before you choose a water supplier. What to look for:

• A supplier with the highest quality water. Distilled/oxygenated water is considered by many experts to be the purest water.

• A supplier with flexible programs that address the needs of water clubs including:

o Volume pricing agreements

o No cancellation charges

o Quality bottles with no spill caps and handles for easy use

o Flexible and changeable delivery schedules

o Flexible billing procedures

• A supplier with trained customer service personnel and a culture of customer service.

Water clubs are becoming more common for Federal Government employees as a way to avoid the low quality tap water found in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and it is important to choose a quality supplier that will meet the needs of the water club.



By: Marcus Stout

About the Author:

Using the latest advances in water purification science, City Water International Inc. lets you take your existing municipal water system and removes all the chlorine taste, odor, chemicals, and metals that drove you to the bottle in the first place.

Their bottle less water cooler and filtration system is revolutionary in nature. It is clean, cost effective and convenient. The bottle less water cooler comes with highest quality purification system that will provide you with anti-bacterial, fresh and clean water.

If you are having storage problems or experiencing back pains due to lifting big awkward bottles, worry no more. City Waters’ bottle less water cooler requires no lifting, no storing, and no delivery. You get unlimited water for drinking coffee or tea with a fixed monthly charge.

Ford’s Operations Manager, Brian Gold points out that “City Waters’ bottle less water cooler and filtration system delivers superior tasting water with the advantages of cost savings and not needing to carry heavy bottles of water in the office. The new system blends right into our office atmosphere without unsightly bottles of water.”

“It’s a great product that can satisfy your unique needs,” adds Gary Kimel, President at City Water International Inc.

City Water offers a wide range of different types of products to meet your unique needs. Besides offering you tasteless, clean and fresh water, these systems can be used for other purposes.

“We don’t always have the time to wait for the kettle to boil. The instant hot feature is so great for making tea or soup,” happily adds M.C. Anderson, Manager at Flight Centre.

“The alternative to bottled water is finally here. Just imagine no more heavy lifting, no more storage, and no more high cost,” says Mr. Kimel. “It’s what you don’t see that makes City Water beyond compare.”

Call 1-800-730-9000 for a free 30 day free trial or order online at: http://www.cityh2o.com



By: Jadranko Jerkovic

About the Author:

jedreport asked:

Anybody know *** is John Bush McCain talking about?

Did you know Americans consumed more than 7.5 billion gallons of bottled water in 2005? That’s more than 26 gallons per person.

Why have so many thirsty people turned off the tap and chosen to drink bottled water?

Some prefer the taste, but others give up the convenience of tap water because they are convinced bottle water is safer (healthier) to drink. Is this true?

For healthy people, both bottled water and tap water are considered safe to drink if they meet the standards of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The FDA sets food safety, labeling, and inspection standards for bottled water, and the EPA sets standards and conducts frequent testing for municipal drinking water. However, the sources and treatments of drinking water can vary considerably.

Is There Evidence for the Health Claim?

The taste and quality of drinking water depend on where it comes from and how it is chemically treated. Most tap water comes from surface sources, such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Most bottled water comes from ground sources, such as underground aquifers.

The day-to-day variation of the taste and quality is usually less for ground water than with surface water sources. Water from deep underground is less vulnerable to contamination than surface water. Despite this, ground water can contain high levels of contaminants or be contaminated during the bottling and/or treatment processes.

Do you know where your water comes from? If your tap water’s source is a public water system, you can check your annual water quality report or contact your water supplier to find its source. You can read the label of the bottled water to find out where it comes from.

Artesian water, ground water, spring water, and well water come from underground aquifers.

Distilled water is steam from boiled water that is re-condensed and then bottled.

Mineral water is ground water that naturally contains dissolved solvents such as minerals, salts, and gases. Or, it is prepared synthetically.

Purified or sterilized water may originate from any source, but is supposed to be treated according to the US Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for purification and sterilization, respectively. US Pharmacopeia sets official standards for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements and other healthcare products manufactured and sold in the United States.

If you are still unsure of where your bottled water comes from or how it is treated after reading the label, call the manufacturer for more detailed information.

In certain circumstances, tap water may become contaminated by substances such as disease-causing germs, making it unsafe to drink. In these instances, your water supplier is required to notify you by mail, radio, television, or hand-delivery that your water does not meet safety standards. The notice you receive will describe precautions you need to take (e.g., boiling your water).

Drinking water may also become contaminated with toxic metals, including arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, mercury and silver. These metals may enter the water supply from natural sources, industrial processes, and materials used in plumbing systems. Since exposure to toxic metals can have serious health consequences, most water systems are tested regularly to make sure the levels of these substances are within safe standards.

If you have concern about contaminants in your home’s drinking water, have your water tested. For more information about testing your water, contact the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Is There Evidence Against the Health Claim for Bottled Water?

Although bottled water is considerably more expensive than tap water, it is not guaranteed safer. In fact, both bottled and tap water - may contain small amounts of contaminants. Furthermore, the purity of bottled water is not regulated by the government as is the case for tap water.

The National Resources Defense Council published a study in 1999 in which more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of bottled water were tested. The researchers found that while most of the bottled water tested was of high quality, about one-third of the water contained levels of contamination that exceeded state or industry standards or guidelines.

Conclusion:

You can obtain a copy of your local water supplier’s annual water report to find out the source and quality of your public water supply. If your water comes from a private well, make sure that the water is tested annually for nitrate and coli form bacteria, and more frequently for other contaminants if you suspect a problem. You can also contact bottled water manufacturers and request the results from their latest testing and find out how the water is treated to remove contaminants.

After you are satisfied your water supply is of acceptable quality, consider its taste and expense. If bottled water tastes better to you and fits your budget, buy it. But if you are looking to save money, most publicly supplied tap water in the U.S. is safe to drink and tastes just fine. Another popular alternative is to install a high quality water purifier to remove possible contaminates and improve the taste of your local water supplier’s product.



By: Tom Nuckels

About the Author:

gochiefs83 asked:

**UPDATE: the label on Aquafina will soon be changed to spell out that it is just expensive tap water. For more info message me on myspace.com/cahern

The craze of bottled water is a national obsession but tap water is usually safer for you, and often better tasting too. Using a hidden camera, Penn & Teller will take a look at the obsession.