Aquafina Is Expensive Tap Water

hello...gud to see such replies!!

Tap water may have some stuff in it, but is it bad stuff? Does removing everything from tap water make it necessarily better? As far as taste is concerned, I prefer Arrowhead Spring Water - a taste I picked up living in L.A. To reduce my use of plastic, I bought a Brita system. But then I got a brochure from my local water district (I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains) and learned that the water from our aquifers is soft well water. I began drinking tap water and have found it nearly as good as Arrowhead in taste, better for the environment, and a heck of a lot cheaper.

But I will also say, regardless of what purification system they use, bottled water has a horrible impact on our world. For one reason, its a huge money pit. Even with gasoline prices being so high, bottled water still costs more per gallon. And then there is the impact of production. Manufaturing plastic has a big tole on our air and water quality. Kinda Ironic huh? the plastic made for bottling "cleen" water, is actually poluting our water supply in the process. And there is also the fact that plastic is not bio degradable. Another downfall, is the impact plastic has on our helth, and the health of our children. Plastics break down and release chemicals into our bodies that have been linked to causing down syndrome in unborn children. I found that by not purchasing bottled water, I've saved enough money to purchase a purification system for my own home. And I love Kathleens idea to re-use snapple bottles. Its good to know there are some other people who actually make an effort.

I want to say something in Aquafina and Dasanii's defence. Its true that thesmost bottled waters are just filled with tap water. But unlike most brands, Aquafina and Disanii both use Reverse Osmosis purification. I watched a demonstration (not funded by any bottled water company) that used chemicals that cling to substances in your water, pulling them to the bottom, and making them visible to the naked eye. For the demonstration, a glass of tap water from my own home faucet was used. He aslo hooked up a mini filtering (reverse osmosis) device to my faucet and made a glass of that as well. He also used a unopend bottle of Aquafina (from my car) and a bottle of unopened Arrowhead water (from my mothers refrigerator). After adding equal chemicals to each sample of water, he let it sit. The tap water glass had about 2 inches of cloudy particals, the bottle of Arrowhead had about and inch and a half, and the glass of filtered water and the Aquafina water were even, perfectly crystal clear.

I have had two PUR water pitchers; and now my refrigerator has a water filter for it's ice maker & water-in-the door dispenser. I buy Propel water in big bottles, and re-use the bottles. I deplore the waste and have lived and moved towards living green for a long time. The industry would go broke if they depended on my buying bottled water. I only drink soft drinks occasionally, drink low fat milk, soy-milk, home-made teas & coffee, some juices. Always buy large/in bulk to reduce packaging. I also recycle cans, plastic, paper & cardboard. I use my own cups when traveling, and have been known to wash & re-use cups provided when I eat out; foam cups can be washed in dishwasher & re-used; I give them to kids to keep my good cups & glasses from disappearing. America wastes more than almost every other country; we need to stop and save the earth and enviornment. Waste not, want not. I want to pass on a better world to future generations!

Although I've never been a fan of the taste of Aquafina or Dasani - I do enjoy (the more expensive/less eco friendly) New Zealand and Fiji water. But, now that I'm trying to be more kind to the environment (and my budget), I've started using a Brita water pitcher at home. I'm still buying bottles for in the car and at work - but try to go w/ the more economical Whole Foods brand bottles. Hats off to those of you who are re-using bottles you carry with you throughout the day!

I love Kathleen's idea of reusing the Snapple bottle. I used to buy a plastic gallon jug of purified water, refill it with the water in those glacier dispensers outside the supermarkets, and keep it in the trunk of my car for a bit until it got funky. Then I'd buy a new one. Well, all the more reason to drink green or white tea!

Another reason to buy coffee instead! There are also the health hazards associated with some plastics as well. I fill my glass snapple bottle with water and reuse it throughout the day. It can be thrown in the dishwasher when I'm done.

waste, waste, waste. Not only are you spending your money for nothing, the discarded plastic bottles create mountains of landfill and take a lot of oil to manufacture. Plastic has a very large carbon footprint. Carry a water bottle and fill it up in water fountains and sinks.

It doesn't really surprise me. either. Any bottle that doesn't say spring water or mineral water on the label is likely municipal water filtered.