Why People Purchase Bottled Water

We’ve all bought a 16.9 ounce bottle of water at the local store, but what is the impact of that purchase? The three main reasons people purchase bottled water are because it’s healthy, convenient, and tastes good. However, the same bottle of water can also be a waste of resources, harmful to the environment, and come from the same source as municipal water. Bottled water is an unnecessary indulgence that has a detrimental impact on the environment and society’s health. Therefore, bottled water and its waste should be eliminated and replaced with public water sources. Bottled water is expected to outsell carbonated beverages in the United States in 2016, rapidly becoming the beverage of choice (Bizzozero). People are choosing bottled water because it has no calories, no artificial sweeteners, and is considered a healthier alternative to carbonated beverages (Bizzozero).

Yet, is it better for your health than municipal water? According to ConsumerReports.org, 47% of all bottled water in the United States are derived from public water sources. PepsiCo’s Aquafina and Coca-Cola’s Dasani bottled water both come from municipal water sources and go through an additional purifying process before it’s bottled for consumption (“Do You Know?”). Nonetheless, it is essentially the same water available in the homes of the local citizens around the

Faucets are not portable and municipal drinking fountains are few, far between, and often overlooked. Remembering to bring a pre-filled container of water with you can be a hassle. Also, many people forget to wash and clean their refillable containers which can lead to sickness. In contrast, bottled water can be found at any store or vending machine; just grab a pre-filled bottle, drink its contents, and throw the container away. There’s no need to remember to bring it with you or wash the container. When you feel thirsty again, a bottle of water is always close at hand and ready to