As your regulated water utility, we adhere to strict U.S. EPA water quality protocols to ensure the water coming out of your tap is safe and of the highest quality. And we confirm that every year in your community Water Quality Reports. Thanks to the U.S.’s regulated system, Americans enjoy some of the safest and most reliable drinking water in the world.
Despite this, bottled water has become commonplace, to the point that even asking for “tap water” is looked down upon. Fortunately, the trend towards bottled water seems to be reversing, and there’s good reason for it.
Global Climate Change
More than 17 million barrels of oil are required to produce enough plastic water bottles to meet America’s annual demand for bottled water.
Pollution
According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the U.S. become garbage or litter. Much of that litter eventually ends up in oceans and becomes microplastics.
Cost
Bottled water is over 30 times more expensive per gallon than tap water.
- Tap water: $0.02 per gallon
- Bottled water: $0.64 per gallon
Bottled Water is Not Purer than Tap Water
Bottled water is generally no cleaner, or safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, some bottled water comes from the same sources as municipal water. The federal government (EPA) requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water than bottled water, which is governed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
So next time you’re offered bottled water, just say, “No thanks, I’ll have my local water please.”