Byron Bay Life

Bottled water is convenient and portable; that convenience comes at a high cost, however. The plastic bottles used in packaging constitute a serious environmental problem, both in their manufacture and in disposal after use. Tiny half-litre bottles of water sell for $2.80 at many convenience stores, representing a major expenditure for what is, after all, the most plentiful substance on earth. In fact, many expensive waters are no more than repackaged municipal tap water with a pretty label on the bottle. Perhaps most importantly, contaminants and pollutants have been found in many brands of this supposedly pure water, dispelling the notion that it is healthier than plain tap water.

The difficulties and negative environmental effects associated with disposing of plastic bottles are well known; few people consider the environmental damage created by the manufacture of those same bottles. Chemical processes involved in creating plastic bottles can produce harmful by-products; ironically, these chemical contaminants can end up in groundwater, damaging the very resource bottled water companies are seeking to market. Plastic bottles do not break down naturally in landfills; while they can be reused, few ever are. Consumers buy water in plastic bottles primarily for convenience, and tossing the empties into the rubish is much simpler than retaining them for reuse.

In an average year, Australians consume about 150 million litres of bottled water; this amounts to approximately $123 million in sales. By contrast, tap water is practically free. Tap water typically undergoes more rigorous testing for purity and safety than bottled water; samples are taken at regular intervals to ensure it is of high quality and free of dangerous contaminants. In blind taste tests, most people couldn’t tell the difference between tap water and an expensive brand of water. This would be more surprising if not for the fact that many manufacturers actually use tap water, rebottling it in fancy packaging and selling it to consumers with labels depicting glaciers, mountain springs, and other images implying a pure, natural origin.

This illusion of purity is an important part of the manufacturers’ marketing strategies. Studies show, however, that bottled water is often no more pure than tap water. A simple water filter can render tap water that is purer than many name brands at a fraction of the cost and with minimal environmental damage. Additionally, because water in bottles is not subject to restrictions in how it is transported or stored, it is easier for contaminants to flourish undetected. The standards applied to water in bottles by the national Food Standards Code are not as strict as those for tap water, and local testing at the point of sale is so rare as to be nearly nonexistent. For most consumers, tap water is just as pure, far better for the environment, and less costly than expensive bottled water. By avoiding water in bottles and choosing environmentally-responsible tap water, with or without a purifying filter, consumers can make a green choice for both the environment and their wallets.