Why Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water

Not all water is created equal. There is much debate as to if water should come from a tap or if it should come from a bottle. Many believe that bottled water is a worse option than tap water. However, bottled water can provide many benefits that tap water lacks. Bottled water is better suited for disasters, it can reach underdeveloped countries, and it even provides jobs for many individuals. Conversely, there are people who believe that bottled water contributes to environmental pollution, but despite this, bottled water can do more good than harm.
Firstly, bottled water can be essential during disasters such as hurricanes and floods. Prior to hurricane Irma in September 2017, buyers stocked up on bottled water to prepare for the coming days without power. Many people live in rural areas and depend on electricity to power their wells. Several areas became flooded during the storm and tap water was not an option. Flood water can

contaminate local water sources, leaving bottled water a crucial element for survival. “Public water problems outscore BW problems by orders of magnitude, and have caused more than a few fatalities” (Fager). These local water sources include municipal water supplies and wells.
Secondly, bottled water can reach countries without natural clean water sources. In these countries, citizens do not have access to wells, leaving them dependent on natural water sources. Many of these sources are contaminated, leaving citizens without clean water for consumption. “Girls and women in arid countries, like Afghanistan — where only 13 percent of the population has access to clean water— spend countless hours missing school to collect water” (Werft). Bottled water can be a very viable solution. Organizations such as The Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) work diligently to provide these countries with the resources they need, including bottled water.
Lastly, demand for bottled water can boost the economy and provide many individuals with jobs. Fager describes desirable traits of bottled water. “Bottled water is fully portable, and thus versatile” (Fager). This desire increases the demand for the product, which increases the need for packaging and shipping of bottled water. In turn, positions are created in bottled water companies. Bottling water is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many families depend on this industry for their income.
On the other hand, many believe that water bottles are bad for the environment.

These bottles are piling up in landfills and are accumulating in rivers and oceans. Although this is true, it can be said about all types of bottled beverages. Eliminating bottled water does not eliminate all harmful waste in the environment. Bottled water is only one of many factors that can contribute to environmental pollution. A solution to this problem is increasing the accessibility for recycling, and for companies to develop more biodegradable containers. This would help reduce all types of waste.
Overall, the pros of bottled water far outweigh the cons. Without bottled water, many people would not have water at all. This can happen during disasters when tap water is unavailable, or in places in the world without clean water sources. Also, unemployment rates would be higher and many people would not be able to support their families without the jobs provided by the bottled water industry. To conclude, getting rid of bottled water can do no

good.