Andrew Klein, Grade 12
Ms. Bateman, Teacher / Boston Latin School
"The Tap Water Debate is no Debate"
Imagine this scenario: a runner has just completed a day's workout and is ready to refuel. His post-workout meal typically includes a portion of carbohydrates and a healthy amount of water. He opens his refrigerator and slowly scans the shelves for a store-bought bottle of water. After several minutes, he abandons his efforts and resigns to drinking from the tap. He groans at the thought of this but reluctantly swallows the water from the faucet until his glass is empty. He then fills another, surprised at his satisfactory reaction to the tap water.
Undoubtedly, you have heard allegations that bottled water is safer than tap water,that tap water is typically not clean enough for regular consumption. This is simply not the case.
In fact, such rumors are typically propagated by special interest groups and bottled water advocates. For unadulterated information, it is generally the safest bet to refer to unaffiliated nonprofits or government organizations.
The National Resources Defense Council, in a study on the benefits of tap water, found that city tap water must be tested for coliform bacteria 100 times a month while bottled water must be tested for it only once a week. Such statistical disparities also occur with respect to tests for e. coli, cryptosporidium, phthalate (a cancer causing chemical), and other bacteria and chemicals that may occur in water. In all of these cases, it was determined that tap water from cities was tested more frequently and thoroughly than bottled water.
While in theory the Food and Drug Administration tries to impose some stricter measures on bottled water companies, the enforcement of these measures is often lax and there are many loopholes. As a result, 60-70 percent of bottled water falls outside the jurisdiction of the FDA and is left to the individual states of destination for regulation.
States seldom carry out this responsibility, however.
As a consumer it is important to not be distracted by the smoke and mirrors of the bottled water companies. While their advertising campaigns may paint glamorous pictures of snow-kissed mountains and water trickling through regal evergreens, it is important to acknowledge the reality of the water situation.
The reality is that nearly 40 percent of bottled water is simply tap water; bottled water is between 240 and 10,000 times more expensive per gallon than tap water; eliminating the plastics used in bottled water would significantly benefit the environment by reducing fossil fuels.
It is important to not fall victim to the marketing ploys of the bottled water industry.
If you know the facts about drinking water, then the choice is clear.
So next time you intend to drink water, don't rummage through the fridge in search of purchased bottled water, fill up a glass or a reusable water bottle from the tap. You'll be doing the environment and yourself a favor. Water will be much more
rewarding on many levels.
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