Bottled Water and The Environment Our consumer preferences for spring water, involve innocent choices made by individuals, but their cumulative impact.

Bottled Water and Bottled Water and The EnvironmentThe Environment

““Our consumer preferences for “spring” water, Our consumer preferences for “spring” water, involve innocent choices made by individuals, involve innocent choices made by individuals, but their cumulative impact has the potential but their cumulative impact has the potential to devastate springs and rivers”to devastate springs and rivers”

-Robert Glennon-Robert Glennon

How much do YOU know about bottled water and the industry?

(Take a true/false quiz to determine your water wisdom) 1. Nestle, famous for its chocolate products, owns the famous Perrier Group.2. France has the strongest international presence and history in the bottled water industry.3. Volvic and Evian are owned by the same company.4. Purified drinking water is actually a special tap water.5. The retailers make at least half of the profits along the supply chain.6. Buying shelf space at the grocery store to sell a bottled water brand is around $50,000.7. Europeans like more minerals in their water.8. How bottled water is packaged (ie types of bottles) strongly determines its success.9. FDA standards on water are not strictly enforced.10. An issue that confronts the bottled water industry is exploitative labor practices.11. Water "bars" have once existed in the United States.12. Tap water in some cities may have more minerals than bottled water.13. China's bottled water market is expected to grow by 150% in the next five years. http://www.soc.duke.edu/~s142tm16/answers.htm

Bottled Water in U.S.Bottled Water in U.S.

Americans shell out more than $10,000 "every Americans shell out more than $10,000 "every minute of every day" or up to 30 cents for a glass of minute of every day" or up to 30 cents for a glass of bottled water*bottled water*

1978 Consumption = 415 Million Gallons**1978 Consumption = 415 Million Gallons**

2001 Consumption = 5.4 Billion Gallons**2001 Consumption = 5.4 Billion Gallons**

* Consumer Reports Magazine (2000) * Consumer Reports Magazine (2000)

** ** Water FolliesWater Follies (2002) (2002)

Why Drink Bottled Water?Why Drink Bottled Water?

www.toothpastefordinner.com/102002/ drink-bottled-water.gif

Bottled Water is Big BusinessBottled Water is Big Business

REVENUES REVENUES (2003)(2003)

$7.7 Billion in $7.7 Billion in USUS

$35 Billion $35 Billion Worldwide Worldwide

(Beverage Marketing (Beverage Marketing Corp.)Corp.)

Bottled Water vs. Tap WaterBottled Water vs. Tap Water Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that

bottled water is bottled water is 240 times to 10,000 times240 times to 10,000 times more expensive than more expensive than tap water.tap water.

Spring Water = $4.50 to $7.50 per gallonSpring Water = $4.50 to $7.50 per gallon Tap Water = $0.07 to $0.20 per gallonTap Water = $0.07 to $0.20 per gallon

Who Drinks Bottled Water?Who Drinks Bottled Water?

60% Of 60% Of AmericansAmericans

43 Billion 16 43 Billion 16 ounce bottlesounce bottles

Why Do Americans Drink Bottled Water?Why Do Americans Drink Bottled Water?

Americans drink bottled water primarily for aesthetic reasons: Americans drink bottled water primarily for aesthetic reasons: the taste, smell, and appearance of the water. the taste, smell, and appearance of the water.

Tap water supplies are often treated with chlorine, which can Tap water supplies are often treated with chlorine, which can leave an aftertaste or odor. leave an aftertaste or odor. Bottled water, on the other hand, is Bottled water, on the other hand, is usually treated by ozonation and filtration, processes that leave usually treated by ozonation and filtration, processes that leave no aftertaste.no aftertaste.

Despite almost half (49%) of the respondents to an AWWA Despite almost half (49%) of the respondents to an AWWA survey saying they believe bottled and tap water to be equal in survey saying they believe bottled and tap water to be equal in quality -- 37% responded that bottled water is safer and quality -- 37% responded that bottled water is safer and healthier to drink than tap water, as opposed to only 10% who healthier to drink than tap water, as opposed to only 10% who said the opposite. said the opposite.

A perception most chalk up to clever advertising by the bottled A perception most chalk up to clever advertising by the bottled water industry.water industry.

Who Are The Players?Who Are The Players?

700 brands are sold in the United States700 brands are sold in the United States

Aquafina = PepsiCoAquafina = PepsiCo

Dasani = Coca-ColaDasani = Coca-Cola

Nestle = Perrier and 72 brands in 160 countriesNestle = Perrier and 72 brands in 160 countries

Dannon = Visit one of their plants at Mt. Shasta!Dannon = Visit one of their plants at Mt. Shasta!

Who Is Perrier?Who Is Perrier?

““Perrier” = 32% of U.S MarketPerrier” = 32% of U.S Market ArrowheadArrowhead CalistogaCalistoga Poland SpringPoland Spring OzarkaOzarka Ice MountainIce Mountain Deer ParkDeer Park Many, many othersMany, many others

Who is Dannon?Who is Dannon?

No. 2 worldwide in bottled water No. 2 worldwide in bottled water EvianEvian Volvic Volvic Dannon Natural Spring Water (Dannon Natural Spring Water (from Mt. Shastafrom Mt. Shasta)) Pure AmericanPure American Enon SpringsEnon Springs Alhambra Junior Sport Drinking Water Alhambra Junior Sport Drinking Water Sparkletts Junior Sport Drinking WaterSparkletts Junior Sport Drinking Water

The Bottled Water ProcessThe Bottled Water Process

About one-fourth of bottled water is tap water.

(U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

(International Bottled Water Association)

Types of Bottled WaterTypes of Bottled Water Artesian Water/Artesian Well WaterArtesian Water/Artesian Well Water - Water from a well that taps a water-bearing underground - Water from a well that taps a water-bearing underground

rock or sand formation (aquifer) in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the rock or sand formation (aquifer) in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer.aquifer.

Drinking WaterDrinking Water - Water that is bottled sanitarily without added sweetners or chemical additives. It - Water that is bottled sanitarily without added sweetners or chemical additives. It must contain no calories, no sugar and very low amounts of sodium. Flavors, extracts, or essences must contain no calories, no sugar and very low amounts of sodium. Flavors, extracts, or essences may be added, but they must not exceed more than 1% of the weight of the product.may be added, but they must not exceed more than 1% of the weight of the product.

Mineral WaterMineral Water - Water containing no less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. It has - Water containing no less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. It has constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence from constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source. No minerals can be added, but may contain calcium, iron, and sodium. Many times from a the source. No minerals can be added, but may contain calcium, iron, and sodium. Many times from a geothermal well or spring.geothermal well or spring.

Purified WaterPurified Water - Water from which all minerals and any other solids have been removed. May also - Water from which all minerals and any other solids have been removed. May also be called distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis.be called distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis.

Sparkling WaterSparkling Water - Water that after treatment and possible replacement with carbon dioxide contains - Water that after treatment and possible replacement with carbon dioxide contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it contained at the source.the same amount of carbon dioxide that it contained at the source.

Spring WaterSpring Water - Water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the - Water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. It must be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the surface of the earth. It must be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation.underground formation.

Well WaterWell Water - Water from a hole bored or drilled in the ground which taps the water of an aquifer.  - Water from a hole bored or drilled in the ground which taps the water of an aquifer. 

http://www.soc.duke.edu/~s142tm16/glossary.htm

Premium Sources ($$) Premium Sources ($$) Cool & Geothermal SpringsCool & Geothermal Springs

Periodic Spring, WYPeriodic Spring, WY Thermopolis Hot Springs, WYThermopolis Hot Springs, WY

Artesian WellsArtesian Wells

Not as valuable as Not as valuable as “Spring” sources due to “Spring” sources due to public perception that public perception that springs are more pure, springs are more pure, despite flowing well despite flowing well water is from the same water is from the same aquifer as the spring and aquifer as the spring and has an identical chemical has an identical chemical composition as the spring composition as the spring water.water.

Water Follies (2002)Water Follies (2002)

Bottled Water RegulationsBottled Water Regulations Bottled water, unlike tap water provided by a utility, Bottled water, unlike tap water provided by a utility,

is considered a food. The U.S. Food and Drug is considered a food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water.Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water.

EPA is responsible for the safety of drinking water EPA is responsible for the safety of drinking water from public water systems through SDWA.from public water systems through SDWA.

(Joe Gelt, Arroyo, 1996; IBWA, 2003)(Joe Gelt, Arroyo, 1996; IBWA, 2003)

Contaminants Found in Bottled Water?Contaminants Found in Bottled Water?

22% violated enforceable limits.22% violated enforceable limits.

17% violated guidelines.17% violated guidelines. Some waters exceeded both Some waters exceeded both

state limits and state guidelines, state limits and state guidelines, so the total that violated one or so the total that violated one or the other was 33%the other was 33%

(NRDC, 1997-1999) (NRDC, 1997-1999)

Percentages indicate % of waters for Percentages indicate % of waters for which at least one test found which at least one test found containment. Number of waters containment. Number of waters tested: 103.tested: 103.

Is Bottled Water Safer?Is Bottled Water Safer? In 1989 the Environmental Policy Institute concluded that In 1989 the Environmental Policy Institute concluded that bottled water bottled water

is not necessarily any safer than tap water…due to bacterial growth in is not necessarily any safer than tap water…due to bacterial growth in the water. the water.

EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, stresses that EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, stresses that although studies are inconclusive on the issue, although studies are inconclusive on the issue, bacteria in bottled bacteria in bottled water doesn't seem to be a significant problemwater doesn't seem to be a significant problem. . (Critical thinking in (Critical thinking in action?)action?)

February 1990, benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer in February 1990, benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, was detected in bottles of Perrier at levels that exceeded by humans, was detected in bottles of Perrier at levels that exceeded by four times the EPA standards for tap water. four times the EPA standards for tap water. Perrier recalled more than Perrier recalled more than 170 million bottles as a result of the contamination170 million bottles as a result of the contamination

Perrier incident prompts U.S. General Accounting Office to charge the Perrier incident prompts U.S. General Accounting Office to charge the FDA with failing to set "adequate safety standards for chemical FDA with failing to set "adequate safety standards for chemical contamination of bottled water." contamination of bottled water."

Is Bottled Water Safer?Is Bottled Water Safer?

In 1994, the FDA passed regulations that impose the same In 1994, the FDA passed regulations that impose the same standards on bottled water as the EPA imposes on tap water.standards on bottled water as the EPA imposes on tap water. An exception is lead: lead content may not exceed 5 parts per An exception is lead: lead content may not exceed 5 parts per billion in bottled water, whereas EPA limits lead in tap water to billion in bottled water, whereas EPA limits lead in tap water to 15 parts per billion. 15 parts per billion.

Bottled water may help to bypass other potential problems Bottled water may help to bypass other potential problems brought about by the practice of public water suppliers of brought about by the practice of public water suppliers of adding chlorine to drinking water to remove bacteria.adding chlorine to drinking water to remove bacteria. Although Although chlorine kills bacteria effectively, it can react with organic chlorine kills bacteria effectively, it can react with organic matter in water to form by-products such as matter in water to form by-products such as trihalomethanestrihalomethanes which have been linked to bladder and rectal cancers. Chlorine which have been linked to bladder and rectal cancers. Chlorine is not used as a disinfectant in bottled water. is not used as a disinfectant in bottled water.

What’s In Bottled Water?What’s In Bottled Water?

“Drink lots of water.

Tap water is best, but if you must drink

bottled water, do 60 extra sit-ups per day because bottled water contains an enzyme that produces more cellulite to the abdomen.”

Brigid, The Sarcasm Diet (2003)

Bottled Water Environmental ProblemsBottled Water Environmental Problems

“…“…an immense waste of energy and plastic and resources if you an immense waste of energy and plastic and resources if you consider the number of bottles that are made and transported consider the number of bottles that are made and transported and disposed of…” (NRDC) and disposed of…” (NRDC)

US Consumes Equivalent US Consumes Equivalent of of 43 Billion43 Billion 16 ounce 16 ounce bottlesbottles

Japan disposes of Japan disposes of 6 6 BillionBillion plastic bottles to plastic bottles to Tokyo Bay in 1998Tokyo Bay in 1998

Water Follies (2002)Water Follies (2002)

Bottled Water Environmental ProblemsBottled Water Environmental Problems

““Tap water comes from underground pipes, while Tap water comes from underground pipes, while the manufacture, distribution and disposal of bottled the manufacture, distribution and disposal of bottled water requires much more energy and fuel.”*water requires much more energy and fuel.”*

It takes 1,851 gallons of water to refine one barrel of It takes 1,851 gallons of water to refine one barrel of crude oil.**crude oil.**

Twenty-four gallons are needed to make one pound Twenty-four gallons are needed to make one pound of plastic. **of plastic. **

*BBC (2001) *BBC (2001) **Emily Gersema, Associated Press (2003)**Emily Gersema, Associated Press (2003)

Bottled Water Environmental ProblemsBottled Water Environmental Problems

The French company, Perrier - Vittel, bought the Buxton The French company, Perrier - Vittel, bought the Buxton mineral water bottling plant in Britain's Peak District national mineral water bottling plant in Britain's Peak District national park 14 years ago when it produced half a million bottles a park 14 years ago when it produced half a million bottles a year.year.

Now production is up more than a hundred fold to 55 Now production is up more than a hundred fold to 55

million. Today they bottle, ship and sell a quarter of the flow million. Today they bottle, ship and sell a quarter of the flow from the Buxton source - and demand is growing. from the Buxton source - and demand is growing.

BBC (2000)BBC (2000)

Bottled Water Environmental ProblemsBottled Water Environmental Problems

The NRDC says the booming bottled water industry could be The NRDC says the booming bottled water industry could be draining aquifers and other water resources, contributing to draining aquifers and other water resources, contributing to pollution and producing energy inefficiencies.pollution and producing energy inefficiencies.

““It's absolutely absurd to be putting this very heavy bulky and It's absolutely absurd to be putting this very heavy bulky and yet supercheap product in bottles which weigh almost as much yet supercheap product in bottles which weigh almost as much as the product and carting these around the world." as the product and carting these around the world."

"It uses enormous amounts of energy and that in turn fuels "It uses enormous amounts of energy and that in turn fuels climate change and yet it's climate change which is the biggest climate change and yet it's climate change which is the biggest threat facing the world's water resources in the future. This is threat facing the world's water resources in the future. This is just craziness.“just craziness.“

(Matt Phillips of Friends of the Earth) (Matt Phillips of Friends of the Earth)

Bottled Water Environmental ProblemsBottled Water Environmental Problems

In some localities, In some localities, exported water may be exported water may be better left in the better left in the watershed. Spring watershed. Spring sources bring in the sources bring in the premium price, but also premium price, but also are part of wetlands, are part of wetlands, streams, and river streams, and river ecosystems.ecosystems.

Water Follies (2002)Water Follies (2002)

Shifting international geography Shifting international geography of the bottled water industryof the bottled water industry

In five years, bottled water consumption will be highest along In five years, bottled water consumption will be highest along the Pacific Rim. the Pacific Rim. China is expecting large growth.China is expecting large growth.

Canada will continue to close the gap between them and Canada will continue to close the gap between them and

France in imports. France in imports.

Mexico also looks to be a place where many plants might Mexico also looks to be a place where many plants might decide to invest. decide to invest.

A decade ago, France was considered at the center of the A decade ago, France was considered at the center of the industry, but as of 2000 the industry seems to heading in all industry, but as of 2000 the industry seems to heading in all directions. directions.

http://www.soc.duke.edu/~s142tm16/conclude.htmhttp://www.soc.duke.edu/~s142tm16/conclude.htm

ConclusionsConclusions Bottled water Bottled water isn't worth the priceisn't worth the price, especially considering that it must , especially considering that it must

be purchased, transported, and stored by the consumer.be purchased, transported, and stored by the consumer.

Canadian water researcher Pierre Payment (Armand-Frappier Institute Canadian water researcher Pierre Payment (Armand-Frappier Institute - Associated Press) indicates that municipalities should advertise the - Associated Press) indicates that municipalities should advertise the quality of their water the way bottled water companies do, because quality of their water the way bottled water companies do, because ""North American tap water is the best you can getNorth American tap water is the best you can get.“ (San Francisco is .“ (San Francisco is doing this)doing this)

If you must buy bottled water, look for “If you must buy bottled water, look for “PurifiedPurified” or an “” or an “ArtesianArtesian” ” source because it is just as pure, if not more pure, as “Spring” source because it is just as pure, if not more pure, as “Spring” Source. Source.

Wells located very close to springs can be sold as “spring” water.Wells located very close to springs can be sold as “spring” water. These wells dry up the springs. Let the springs discharge to the These wells dry up the springs. Let the springs discharge to the wetlands, streams, and rivers. wetlands, streams, and rivers.