Buying What is

Free

$1.50

Are you sure?

Tap Water Vs. Bottled Water

What does this “marketing

phenomenon” say about our society?

Thesis:Bottled water market reflects

society’s growing concerns for our health and diminishing concerns for the health of our environment.

Why Do People Prefer Bottled Water?

Bottled water tastes better!

People believe that they don’t taste the chlorine in bottled water that they taste in tap water

Double-blinded studies

People think that chlorine in tap water is a carcinogen

Several studies have proven that this is a myth

The Image of PurityCompanies use images of

nature on their bottle labels.

The most widely used words to market this good are ‘pure’, ‘pristine’, and ‘natural’ (Wilk, 2006.)

IF ONLY THEY KNEW…

EPA V. FDA

EPA tests their water supply every year while the bottled water industry does not reveal any tests results (Naidenko, 2008.)

Neither the FDA nor the states regulate the storage and expiration of bottled water.

The bacteria in water bottles has increased radically due to how it’s being stored, making it more hazardous than tap water which doesn’t even need to be stored (Raj, 2005.)

Environmental Risks:Of the 36 billion bottles sold in 2006, only

a fifth were recycled (Doss 2008).

“Water bottle production in the U.S. uses 1.5 million barrels of oil per year, according to a U.S. Conference of Mayors’ resolution passed in 2007, enough energy to power 250,000 homes or fuel 100,000 cars for a year”

“Water mining” puts strains on community drinking supplies

They argue: “But several other beverages also pose

dangers to our environment!

I argue: Since tap water is easily accessible and proven to be safe, we should drink it in order to prevent even further damage caused by other drinks.