It seems you can’t go anywhere lately without seeing a plastic bottle of water for sale, businesses even give them out to clients and make them available to employees. They are in gas stations, airports, vending machines, and offices. While it’s important to stay hydrated, have you ever really stopped to question what happens to the plastic after your single use water bottle is empty? Have you ever thought about the quality of water you are drinking from the plastic bottle? The Natural Resources Defense Council says you should not assume bottled water is safer or cleaner than tap water.

Is Your Bottled Water Safe?

A recent statistic states 90% of people that drink bottled water choose the option because they believe bottled water is healthier. Bottled water companies tout the health benefits of water but a study of water in plastics bottles by researchers at the State University of New York produced findings that were shocking. The plastic used for bottles and during the bottling process is actually leaching into the water. In essence, you are ingesting small particles of plastic with much of your bottled water.

A large portion of bottled water is not subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations because it does not cross state lines in production or sale. At that level, only the state health and safety departments oversee regulation. There have been cases of contamination by E.coli, arsenic, and other bacteria and chemical contaminants. In fact, there is actually more rigorous testing for municipal water by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) than the FDA requires for bottled water.

Leaching over time can be a problem for bottled water safety as well. This is especially true in cases where the bottle is old or exposed to hot temperatures. Before you continue to drink bottled water, do you homework and don’t assume all bottled water brands are providing you with better water.

Reduce Waste & Pollution

If safety concerns aren’t enough to sway your opinion of bottled water, consider the waste it creates.

Plastic waste is one of the world’s largest environmental issues causing damage to the land, air and water. Plastic is the leading cause for pollution in oceans and it also can cause pollution in groundwater. Toxins from plastic trash and landfills can seep into groundwater.

While plastic recycling is increasing across the United States, the majority of plastic is still not recycled. Even though most plastic water bottles are recyclable, only about 30% were recycled in 2017 according to recent data from the EPA.

Even more, shipping and producing plastic bottles uses oil. Plastic production actually begins with crude oil. The overuse of fossil fuels is a contributor of pollution and climate change. Efforts are underway to change the plastic production process; however, production changes will take time and are costly.

Make the Switch

Now is the time to make the switch— ditch plastic water bottles for good. Take the first step and contact a trusted water company, like Hague Quality Water of Maryland, with water specialists certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA). WQA certification is a voluntary credential granted to individuals and companies that agree to abide by the Water Quality Association Code of Ethics and conduct ongoing education for water treatment.

A full-service water treatment company will provide several options when it comes to delivering clean, filtered drinking water. Your office’s or home’s water quality and usage will determine the best solution such as:

• Point of use reverse osmosis: affordable, great tasting filtered water at the tap
• Bottleless water coolers: on demand filtered hot and cold water
• Whole house filtration systems: filtered water for all your water using appliances and taps

Many companies even offer a free trial or payment options that make water filtration more affordable. Over the long term, many water filtration options are cheaper than buying bottled water. A water treatment specialist can recommend the best solution for you.

Get started today to experience better water that’s better for the environment.

Contact Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.

Resources:

“FDA Bottled Water Regulations” https://www.bottledwater.org/education/regulations/fda-vs-epa