What's the problem with bottled water?
Bottled water: It’s everywhere these days. But do we really need it?
Just asking that question can start a hot debate. So we’re going to wade right in and say that unless there’s no safe alternative, bottled water should be avoided. We think bottled water turns a public, common good into a private one (and an expensive one at that). The cash we spend on supposedly safer bottled water is better spent on improving public systems for everyone—especially rural and Aboriginal communities that may experience boil-water orders for years on end because of under funded (or non-existent) public water systems.
Then there’s the ecological angle. Bottled water removes water from local watersheds, including underground water sources that can take centuries to replenish. And the millions of plastic bottles that result from this industry are choking recycling systems and dumps across the country. They also take a combination of energy and petroleum products to manufacture and transport: not such a hot idea when the planet is faced with climate change sparked in part by our addiction to oil. So, why create those bottles in the first place?
If the price of gas is getting to you, consider this: a litre of treated drinking water delivered to your home costs less than a dime. Half litre bottles sell in your local store for about a dollar. That's twice the price of gasoline. For what?
Whether you agree or disagree, read on. In addition to resources from KAIROS and other church and non-profit groups, we’ve included links to bottled water promoters. Resources listed here can be freely downloaded and distributed.
Get informed—because individual choices add up to a big impact for us all.
Ten Concerns about Bottled Water (The Polaris Institute, Canada. Reprint)
Article: Bottled Water Facts (Sierra Club USA reprint)
Article: Is Bottled Water Immoral? (external link)
Article: Bottled Water: Pouring Resources Down the Drain (external link)
Water: Tap Into It! KAIROS and Development and Peace brochure, 8.5 by 14 inch paper required. PDF format
Out of Order: an invisible theatre play about bottled water (PDF format) and instructions for the play (PDF)
Many articles on bottled water are subject to copyright and cannot be posted here. Click here to see our links to articles and organizations dealing with bottled water.
