Adopt a Watershed

There are certain establishment and processes that have to be undergone before bottled water is produced. These processes include the transportation, packing and also the storage of the water that is sealed up in a bottle.  This is done in strict conditions that will not exposed water to harmful chemicals and will also minimized the chances of the bottled water getting any harmful substance.  The process of producing bottled water also extends to the process of filling, the process of sealing as well as labelling.

The equipments that are used in the course of the production of bottled water include fillers, pumps, piping and other equipments.   The equipments that are used should not be mistaken for those that are used in the production of drinks and milks, although you will find some similarities in the equipments but there are a number of equipments that are strictly unique to that of the production of bottled water.

In the course of the production, some requirements are expected to be met for the water produced to be perfect and safe for consumption.  With reference to the above there are quite a good number of machines that can be used to ensure that bottles water is safe and sound for consumption. The essence of all this is to ensure that the water in the bottle does not have any form of odor or color. 

The storage tank where the bottle water production is done also must meet the following criteria:

• It should be close so tightly that no form of contaminant can find its way into the container.
• The use of inverted filter should be applied to ensure also that no form of contaminant gets in.
• The storage tank should be strictly use for the storage of water and water alone.  On no condition should it be used to store any other substance be it food, drink or any form of edibles.  The storage facilities should not also be used for non edibles.

Other precautions that are ensured in the production of bottled water should include:

• The pipelines that are used for already treated water that is to be bottled should also not serve as a valve for other substance.  
• The filter should be designed in such a manner that there will not be condensation taking place therein. 
• The equipments should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure cleanliness.

The unfortunate situation is that all these criteria that are needed to be put in place are not maintain by 25% of the bottling water industry thereby making the bottled water not better than tap water.  So, if you really think about it, using tap water to fill in reusable water containers, such as the trendy styles on the market today, you can save thousands of plastic bottles over a lifetime.  Imagine if everyone did this; we could reduce the plastic in our environment significantly.

Bottled water usually has some sodium mixed in with it.  While the amount is small (generally around 75 milligrams), it still states that the water is not entirely pure. Then again, however, neither is tap water. Tap water usually has added fluoride which raises gum and teeth health. Bottled water does not offer this, so health buffs may not be as eager to go for the bottled alternative.

Although this isn’t as serious a problem anymore, there were cases in the past where leaving a previously opened bottle of water slightly capped, but not all the way, created a breeding ground for bacteria. This would only happen after it was left out for days, but it is still a possibility. Always be sure to cap your water entirely, and to store it in a chilled environment.

In reality, those are truly the only downsides you face when using bottled water. It is not as healthy for the environment (although you can greatly help this by being sure to recycle), and you may be uncomfortable with some of the added chemicals, or lack of chemicals. Those aside, you’re looking at all good things. So, let’s take a moment and talk about those.

First and foremost, the best thing about bottled water is the portability. Many of us live a life that keeps us busy. We’re always on the move, and taking the time to look for a water fountain can be out of the question. However, if we be sure to always carry a bottle of water or two, our problem is solved. No longer do we need to try and talk on the phone while silently drinking from the park drinking fountain.

Bottled water can also save money.  When we are on the run, we often just grab whatever is most convenient.  Sometimes, that is an expensive soda or coffee when, if we were to have a bottle of water on hand, we’d be set.

Some people prefer variety.  While tap water constant spurts out the same thing, bottled water comes in many different types. There are various flavors of water available, to suit whatever your preferences are. There are also energizing waters for those of us who need that extra boost during a long day, and also relaxing waters to aid in falling asleep. Bottled water also lacks that heavy stench of chlorine that often accompanies plain tap water.

What this research shows is that, while there are certainly pros and cons to drinking bottled water, there is nothing so powerful in either argument to make one stance “right” and one stance “wrong”. This all falls to personal preference. So long as you are sure to recycle the plastic bottles, there is no real reason to abstain from making using of the convenience of bottled water. However, just to be safe, you should always be sure that the cap is securely on the lid to avoid the rare but possible dangers of growing bacteria.

It is suggested that only 40%-50% of Americans recycle all the time. This still leaves millions of bottles sitting in landfills.  Each year this amount continues to increase and, even if everyone were to start recycling today, it would not decrease for many, many years. To be more exact, most bottles will take anywhere between 500 and 1000 years to fully decompose and return to the earth. This will vary, of course. Thinner bottles will not take as long, and the heavier duty designer bottles will take even longer.

In most cases, a bottle is only used once before it is discarded, whether in the trash or recycling. People do not seem to realize that one of the wonderful things about plastic water bottles is the fact that they can be reused! This would greatly reduce the waste rate, and help the environment.

What else can be done to tackle the waste created by using plastic water bottles? The simple answer is to simply stop using them. Not only will it save you money, but it will help save our damaged environment.

A common defense to that is the statement that an individual just doesn’t like the taste and/or smell of tap water.  However, there is a multitude of ways to counter that. First off, let’s take a look, or perhaps sniff, at the smell.  Many people complain of a chlorine-like smell coming from their tap water.  This is because of the purification systems that tap water has to go to before it is drinkable.  Did you know that the purification rule for tap water is actually much stricter than that of bottled water? The makers behind bottled water can get away with a lot more, such as additives, than those behind tap water.

To remove this smell, simply take a pitcher and fill it with tap water. Place it in your refrigerator for a few hours, and the chlorine will naturally evaporate, leaving fresh and cold water. While this may seem like something of a pain, it is an easy habit to keep up once you’ve gotten in to it. It also makes sure that your water is chilled when you want it, aside from the lukewarm temperature of most tap water.

Now, about that taste. Most tap water has something of a soapy taste to it. Like the smell, this is because of the purification it has to go through. This can be dealt with by buying a filter which can be attached to your faucet. While it may seem a tad pricey, it will quickly pay for itself in the money you save by not buying bottled water.

The simple fact is that bottled water is no healthier for you than tap water. It damages the environment, and costs you unnecessary money. There are easy solutions and alternatives to this costly and potentially harmful form of water, and it is highly recommended you take it. It is best not only for you financially, but for the planet, environmentally.

Water coolers which are also categorized under bottled water provide cool and refreshing water to people that want it. Water coolers and carbonated water mounted on a dispenser are the best option for companies with great number of staff.  Employees can easily get their drinking water from the dispenser in their companies. The clients of the companies can also make use of the waters in the dispensers.

Every coin always has two sides. This is applicable to bottled water.  It may be shocking for some people to hear that most of the bottled waters available today are not as pure as they are believed to be.  Experiment carried out on bottled water proves that right. The reason for this is because of the presence of many bogus bottled water companies in existence. They do not process their water. Upon analysis, there is no difference between their water and tap water.  If that is the case, why then should people waste their money in buying bottled?

Do you know that bottled water can cost tooth decay?  Are you surprise to hear this? This is a fact that many people do not know.  Even bottled water produced under the best condition can also lead to this.  Bottled water produced through distillation or osmosis lack fluoride ions in them which are present in natural water. Fluoride ions are needed to guide against tooth decay.  So, you are exposing yourself to the dangers of developing tooth decay.

The greatest downside of bottled water is its effect on the environment.  Given the number of people taking bottled water, the environment is littered with emptied plastic bottles; only a small fraction of these bottles can be recycled. They therefore constitute environment problem. One of the problems facing the contemporary world is the problem of waste management. The government is spending a huge sum of money every year in order to manage this waste. Even if these plastic bottles can be recycled, many people drop them anyhow along the road. This does not present a better image of the society.

Besides, when these plastic bottles are mixed with other degradable garbage, it will constitute some problems to the composters. Separating them from the degradable garbage becomes a very big problem for composters. Owing to the amount spent in waste management, bottled water business indirectly take from the government the money they got from the business through taxation. 

There is also the danger of being exposed to chemicals when one is using bottled water. This chemical does not emanate from water. It comes from the plastic bottles used in packaging bottled water. The chemical BPA which is the acronym for Bis-Phenol A is present in some plastic bottles used in packaging distilled water.  As studies have revealed, this chemical can lead to serious health complications.

Having known the pros and cons of bottled water, it is left for you to decide on the best line of action to take.

Certainly, there is some waste accumulated during the production of plastic bottles. This waste also adds to the problem of waste management facing the modern society. It is true that these plastic bottles are not the only thing that increase the waste accumulation as some will argue.  But the fact remains that huge number of plastics is produced on yearly basis as WWF have discovered in their research, the number is incredible.

As a solution to the problem WWF suggests that already used water bottles should be reused after washing them.  This according to them will help to reduce the problem of waste accumulation.  But this solution turns out to elevate the problem.  Reusing the bottles will lead to the production of low quality water which will have some negative health implication on the people that drink the water.  Some may want to know why this is so.  It is not because that the plastic bottles will not be properly washed. But the fact is if this solution were to be taken, the plastic bottles will be aging the more they are being used. As we know, as these bottles are aging the phthalate used in manufacturing this plastic will gradually have access to the water and this will spell doom to the entire humankind.

 WWF also came up with another solution that did not help the matter when it is critically examined.  As a remedy to the consumption of fuel taken up by these bottling companies WWF was of the opinion that the bottling companies should resort to the local bottling facilities.  This also will affect the quality of water that will be produced.

This is not all about the effect of bottled water on the environment.  We all know the effect of global warming to human beings, animals and even aquatic lives.  Global warming is caused by the depletion of the ozone layer by the harmful gasses that are being discharge in huge quantity to the atmosphere. These gasses create large holes in the ozone layer which shields us from the direct heat from the sun. The direct rays from the sun can have terrible effect on the body. It can lead to skin cancer and sunburn. I know that some people may want to know how this concern bottled water. Yes! It indeed concerns bottled water.

As has been observed earlier, huge amount of energy is used in the production of these plastic bottles.  As they are being produced, gasses are produced as this fuel is burnt down. The gases are discharge also to the atmosphere. Since the amount fuel burnt is high, the amount of gas released to the atmosphere will also be high. This is why bottled water is also one of the major causes of global warming. Besides, gases are also released to the atmosphere during the transportation and shipping of these bottled waters.  

The extraction of water used for bottled water also contributes its own quota in damaging the environment. Quite a good number of bottled companies get their water from the same source with the government water board. Owing to the use of heavy machines in extracting water, more gases are released to the atmosphere.

One of the problems facing the modern society today is the problem of waste management. Huge amounts of money on an annual basis go into waste management and much is still to be done.  Today, there is increasing emphasis on the need for everybody to join hand together in controlling waste accumulation.  Recyclable and reusable materials are proffered as solution. But the material used in producing packaging bottled, namely, Poly Ethlene Terephthalate, abbreviated as PET, is not totally recyclable as studies have shown. Besides, it takes huge amount of energy to manufacture PET.

In our society today, every nook and cranny is littered with plastic bottles used in packaging bottled water. This really has a massive impact on our environment.  Most of the time people mix up these plastic bottles with ordinary refuses that can be used for composting. This makes it difficult for composters to separate these plastic bottles from other refuse.   Since they are not biodegradable, their presence in the compost will affect the rate of the decomposition of the biodegradable garbage.

In most developing countries where the process of recycling such materials is still at the bottom level, these plastic bottled are burnt. The atmosphere off course will be affected by this singular action. Through the burning of these plastic bottles carbon dioxides and other dangerous gasses are released to the atmosphere. As we all know, these gasses eat up the ozone layer that protects us from the scorching heat of the sun. Global warming is the aftermath of such act. We all have heard about global warming.

Economic Importance of Bottled Water

In the world today, one of the lucrative markets is bottled water. Almost everybody has taken to bottled water due to the fact that it is believed to be healthier. Besides, since it comes in portable plastic bottles people find it more useful when they are going for picnic and other function in order to quench their thirst.  You can easily buy a bottle at road side shops whenever you are thirsty.  Owing to the above, the business is growing.  As many bottled water companies are being established, employment is created. Most importantly, these companies pay their taxes to the government. In other words bottled water is a very good source of income to the government and also to individual who are into the business.     

With the existence of jumbo size bottled water industries, banks, restaurants and other public places can provide drinking water to their clients. When you visit an office, you can easily take water from the dispenser positioned in a strategic position. Such dispensers with carbonated water present beautiful sights in places where they are used and also make it possible for such places to provide water for their clients. Besides the clients, employees can also benefit from that too.