Bottled water should not be sold or must be properly regulated since tap water is better in most ramifications. This is simply because of the associated merits in terms of costs, environmental benefits and health benefits. The need for safer water, environment with less hazardous material, and economic benefits makes tap water the best choice if we considered the option between tap water and bottled water.
There have been several issues with the production & sales of bottled water. These are in terms of cost, environmental effects, and health concerns. Despite those issues, big multinational companies such as Coca Cola or Pepsi involve in production of bottled water always provide impressive statistics or financial results which shows more demand for bottled water. It is important that such figures should not overshadow the risks associated with the choice of water.
Environmental issues are a major concern that has been found to militate against the acceptance of bottled water by the environmentalist. This is simply because of the issues with the production, storage and disposal of waste associated with bottled water (Environment, Health and Safety Online, 2012). Owners of the land where the water is drawn by bottling companies indicate that those companies do not adhere to good environmental use and thus tend to degrade the land. Although, this might not seem to directly affect human health, it might lead to a form of chemical degradation of the land.
There are several misconceptions as regards to the safety of bottled water (Jemmott, 2008). This has an impact on the acceptance in the society. The role of powerful advertisements by big producers such as Coca Cola and Pepsi also contribute to factors that motivate people to accept bottle water. These contribute to factors that make people to purchase bottle water as an option. However, information is all what is needed as regards to making choice between both types. Perception such as viewing costly products as being the best could also influence why some tend to prefer bottled water. Standage (2005) shows that all over the world, bottling companies tend to report great success hence this could motivate consumers in purchasing bottle water.
Safe bottled water or canned food is a myth. According to Jemmoth (2008), there is always some level of risk associated with bottled water. This is noted to be related with the presence of chemicals and materials that could be carcinogenic. People with weak immune system especially cancer, or HIV/AIDS patients are even at higher risk of having their ailment worsened with accumulation of such substances (Environment, Health, and Safety Online, 2012). Standage, 2011 argues that spending of money on achieving risk-free products is a fallacy simply because exposure to health risks activities or substance is what occurs all the time. The implication of the argument is simply in support of the use of bottled water.
The idea that bottled water is secure and safe to certain extent is not true simply because most available evidence in support of the idea is not totally conclusive on the safety of the bottled water. The idea of having to boil tap water and cooling it down before drinking it is not necessary in the developed world simply because of the process of production and supply which makes it safer. Hence consumers enjoy perfectly clean water with no additives at a much cheaper price.
Economic experts may argue that bottled water is big business and needs to be preserved. However, it is also important to note that bottled water is a rather expensive way of living that needs to be reduced. It was stated that the Average American consumer spend nearly $1400 annually on bottled water alone (Standage, 2005). Consumption is now found to be growing more quickly than soft drinks. Americans are estimated to spend about $9.8 billion on bottled water in 2005 (Standage, 2005). Cost about 250-10,000 times more than tap water and at the same level with gasoline (Standage, 2005). With the current situation, it is agreeable that such expense would be channeled to more pressing needs such as healthcare and food security.
Conflicts of interest buffer the economic aspect of the arguments between the choice of tap and bottled water. There is a form of conflict of interest among the stakeholder as regards to their motives and the ethical aspect of their activities in production of bottled water. A major example is that of a case of Coca Cola in India (in the state of Kerala) where there is some form of deprivation caused as a result of the activities of the company in their bid to produce bottled water. This activity deprived the farmers of Plachimada their social right. The point here is that in cases where the use of public goods arises as opposed to purely economic goods, the companies have to evolve a fair use mechanism if they are to continue business without any ethical issues.
The need for no form of bottles or container for tap water use makes it more environmental friendly when compared to bottled water. Although there has been arguments in support of the ability of the companies to recycle the bottles, however, the fact that tap water need no form of recycling make it a better choice of water to use. The environmental issue associated with disposal of bottles makes it a non environmental friend choice. This could be viewed in terms of hazards that could be caused by pollution or if such bottles are burnt. Burnt bottles could contribute to the release of greenhouse gases which could lead to depletion of the ozone layer. All these factors are related to the disposal of used bottles which are not something related to tap water.
Water having different characteristic should be considered unsafe. This is simply because safe water should be tasteless, colorless, and odorless. The water from can't be guaranteed to be safe simply because of the additives added to give it a pretty good flavor or taste. This is part of what some companies use in advertising the products. However, consumers need to be informed as regards to the dangers with bottled water. Tap water has no such features simply because it can't be flavored.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the utilization of tap and bottled water has been under debate for quite a while now. As discussed above, tap water has several advantages over bottled water. As observed by the paper, there are many hidden benefits of tap water over bottled water. The information needs to be properly circulated for more consumers of bottled water to understand those benefits of tap water and disadvantages of bottled water. Despite the fact that popular brands are providing 'so called secure water' through their powerful markets, it is essential for Americans to consume less bottled water and more tap water considering the earlier highlighted benefits and demerits of tap water and bottled water respectively. The price difference between the prices of the two types of water brands is a case to consider by each consumer.
References
Allaboutwater.org. (2004). The Truth about Bottled Water-Is it really better than tap water?
Retrieved Nov 22, 2012, from http://www.allaboutwater.org/bottled-water.html.
Environment, Health and Safety Online. (2012, 11 12). Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?
Retrieved 11 22, 2012, from http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/DrWater/drinkingwater.php
Jemmott, J.M. (2008, February). Bottled Water vs. Tap Water. Retrieved Nov 21, 2012, from
<http://www.rd.com/health/rethink-what-you-drink/>
Moore, Z. (2007, August 17). Defying the Nalgene. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from
http://thedartmouth.com/2007/08/17/opinion/bottledwater
Standage, T., (2005).Bad to the last Drop. Editorial. The New York Times.
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The New York Times, (2007). In praise of Tap Water. Opinion.
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