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What
is bottled water?
Water is called "bottled water"
if it meets all federal and state standards, is sealed in
a sanitary container and sold for human consumption. Some
bottled water includes carbonation, which can occur naturally
in the water or be added by the bottler. Flavors, extracts
and essences -- derived from spice or fruit -- can be added
to bottled water, but these additions must comprise less
than one percent by weight of the final product. Beverages
containing more than the one-percent-by-weight flavor limit
are soft drinks, not bottled water. Bottled water cannot
contain sweeteners or additives (other than flavors, extracts
or essences) and must be calorie-free and sugar-free. In
addition, most bottled waters are sodium-free or include
"very low" amounts of sodium.
What
are the different types of bottled water?
There are several varieties
of bottled water, including: artesian water, mineral
water, sparkling water, spring water and purified water. A specific definition for each term has been proposed
as part of new, additional regulations being considered
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Artesian Water: Bottled water from a well
that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground
layer of rock or sand) which stands above the normal water
table.
Mineral Water: Bottled water originating
from geologically and physically protected underground water
source. Mineral water must contain mineral and/or trace
elements that make it clearly distinguishable from other
types of water. This content must remain constant in the
water's original state at the point of emergence from the
source.
Spring Water: Bottled water that flows
naturally from an underground source to the surface of the
earth. Spring water must be collected directly from the
spring or from a bore hole that is adjacent to the water's
natural point of emergence. Spring water collected by pump,
or any other device applying external force, must retain
all the properties of, and be of the same composition amd
quality as, the water flowing naturally to the surface.
Well Water: Bottled water collected from
an aquifer through a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed
in the ground.
Purified Water: Bottled water produced
by distillation, deonization, reverse osmosis or another
suitable process that meets the definition of purified water
in the United States Pharmacopoeia. Water that meets this
definition, and is vaporized then condensed, may be labeled
"distilled water."
How much
water should I drink everyday?
That depends on your body
weight and daily activity level. A general rule of thumb
is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day (1 glass=8
ounces, 8 glasses=64 ounces). But the more active you are,
the more water your body needs.
Can I
drink soft drinks to rehydrate?
No. The caffeine found in
many soft drinks acts as a diuretic and depletes your body
of fluids rather than replenishing them. By drinking these
beverages, you could be making matters worse.
The tap
water in my area is proclaimed to be "safe to drink".
So what are the advantages of bottled water?
Tap water quality is inconsistent
at best, and suffers from several disadvantages. First,
municipal tap water is usually treated with chlorine, which
makes the water taste bitter. Second, tap water flows through
pipes, which in older buildings, may contain lead. Its quality
is not guaranteed by the time it reaches you. Furthermore,
the supplies are often threatened by industrialization,
agriculture, and natural disasters.
Bottled water, on the other hand, offers a more consistent,
superior taste compared to tap water. It contains no lead
or other harmful chemicals, and no chlorine is used during
the purification process. The sealed bottle also protects
the water, so what you get in the bottle is the same water
as the source. And let's not forget the convenience of having
both hot and cold water offered by our service.
What
about pitcher filters?
Pitcher filters will remove chlorine
and other objectional/harmful chemicals from tap water,
but they often leave black particles in the water. While
not harmful, some people consider them to be objectionable.
Also, the filters must be replaced every two months
to retain optimal performance.
I've
been boiling tap water so far without any problems. Are
there any reasons why I should switch to bottled water?
While boiling tap water kills
some harmful bacteria, it does not remove any of the chemicals
or minerals that may make the water taste objectionable,
or may be hazardous to your health. Boiling tap water is
also inconvenient and it wastes energy and time.
Does
bottled water contain chlorine?
No. Bottlers do not use chlorine
as a final disinfecting agent in bottled water. Bottlers
use ozone (O3), a form of oxygen, or ultraviolet light.
Unlike chlorine, which is commonly used in public water
supplies, these methods disinfect water without leaving
any after taste or smell.
Why
should people pay to drink bottled water when they can drink
tap water for free?
The number one reason consumers
choose bottled water is taste. Unlike tap water which uses
chlorine as a final disinfectant, bottled water is most
commonly disinfected with ozone, which does not leave a
residual taste.
Second, consumers are concerned about the quality of their
tap water. In addition to concerns about chlorine by-products,
contaminants such as lead, nitrates and micro-organisms
have been discovered in municipal water supplies. Consumers
are turning to bottled water because they can be assured
of bottled water's high quality.
The third reason consumers choose bottled water is for what
it does not contain - calories, caffeine or alcohol. Consumers
are leading a more healthful lifestyle and turning more
frequently to bottled water. |
