Yes and no! In theory, the author is right. Let's have a look at the 
whys and wherefores. Bottled water started in Europe at the time when 
piped water was being brought into houses. The article quotes Evian and 
Perrier, but that is only a minute fraction of the European industry 
with several hundred large manufacturers (Vichy, Contrexeville, 
Apollinaris, Valser, Henniez, Aproz, Gerolsteiner, Voslauer, Volvic, San 
Pellegrino etc. are ones that come immediately to mind). Did you know 
there are 215 bottlers in France alone, 585 in Italy, 490 in Germany 
(USA only 178) etc? The reason? Because piped water was initially 
undrinkable because it was usually taken from rivers and lakes with no 
purification, said sources also serving to receive sewage, whereas the 
bottled waters were direct from springs and were bacteria-free. They 
were therefore essential for health. Of course, tap water in Europe is 
generally very safe now, but the tradition is maintained. 
http://www.mineralwaters.org/index.php

I have stayed in over half of the contiguous States and I can say that 
the water varies enormously. In Washington DC, for example, the tap 
water is undoubtedly safe but is undrinkable because of the extreme 
chlorination - and there are many other places likewise. That means the 
water must be heated to drive off the chlorine before it is potable 
(energy + CO2!!!). Much easier to open a PET bottle of water!

I question the credibility of the article with statements like, "In San 
Francisco, the municipal water comes from inside Yosemite National Park. 
It's so good the EPA doesn't require San Francisco to filter it." Only 
one of the eight SF reservoirs (Hetch Hetchy) is in the Yosemite NP and 
its water is treated with chloramine (more toxic than traditional 
chlorine or UV irradiation). SF is also beginning to pump up ground 
water at several sites, as well as use surface water.

Carbonated water is a different kettle of fish. My experience is that 
the CO2 dominates the flavour and that the quantity of gas is the only 
criterion of choice. In Europe, you can buy (with some makes), fully 
carbonated (red cap), half carbonated (green cap) and non-carbonated 
(blue cap) versions of the same water. I like the half-carbonated.

Personally, I have no objections to anyone buying ***locally produced*** 
bottled water, if that is their preference. I do it myself (the tap 
water here isn't very palatable). I would never buy imported water, 
though, if it can be helped.

Brian



Joe Fjelstad wrote:
> _http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/117/features-message-in-a-bottle.html?par
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> 
> 
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