Bottle or Tap?
In 2014, the problems with lead contamination in the municipal water supply in
Flint, MI became front page news. This and several other incidents around the country have
raised concerns about the safety of our tap water. As consumers, we have the choice of using
the water provided by our local municipalities or purchasing water, either in large
containers, as we see in water dispenser systems, or in individual bottles. At one time or
another, almost everyone has purchased bottled water, say while on a trip or out at a fast
food place. The growing demand for bottled water has raised concerns about the
environmental impact of the plastic refuse created. These bottles can take over 1000 years to
biodegrade in a landfill. So, why do we choose to use bottled water instead of tap water?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
Completing this activity will assist you in mastering Module Level Outcomes 1 and 2.
First:
Read the following articles:
• Postman, A. (2016). The Truth about Tap: Lots of people think drinking bottled water is
safer. Is it? National Resources Defense Council. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/truthabout-tap
• Bottled Water – The nation’s healthiest beverage – sees accelerated growth and
consumption. International Bottled Water Association.
https://www.bottledwater.org/bottled-water-–-nation’s-healthiest-beverage-–-seesaccelerated-growth-and-consumption
• Braff, D. (2016). How Safe is Bottled Water (Links to an external site.)Links to an
external site.? Chicago Tribune January, 22, 2016
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-bottled-water-health-0127-
20160127-story.html
View:
• The Real Story of Bottled Water (Links to an external site.)Links to an external
site. [Video, 3:11 mins]. International Bottled Water Association.
https://www.bottledwater.org/content/real-story-bottled-water
• In a thirsty world… bottled water seems wasteful (Links to an external site.)Links to an
external site.. The Water Project. https://thewaterproject.org/bottledwater/bottled_water_wasteful
Next:
Post your responses to the following questions:
1. Based on what you have learned in this module, compare the water you get from a tap
and bottled water. Look at factors such as safety, cost, and convenience.
2. What do you see as the major environmental drawbacks and advantages of each
source – tap and bottled? Consider concerns such as wasted water in the supply chain or
production, pollution from the containers and/or delivery systems (such as lead pipes),
and contamination from outside sources.
3. Compare the information in the readings and viewings assigned in this discussion and
others from the module. Some are from environmental organizations, some from the
bottled water industry, as well as one news report. What specific points do you see as
unbiased scientifically based information, and what do you see as a more slanted or
biased perspective? Most likely, nothing you read is actually wrong, but it may be
“cherry picked” data that supports the perspective of a particular group. Give at least two
examples of each.
4. What source or sources would you recommend to a friend who is interested in
learning more about drinking water from the tap vs. bottled? You can locate your own
sources or select from any in the module, but be sure to give reasons why you think this
is a reliable source for information.
Your initial post responding to this assignment should be no shorter than 300 words. Include
both in-text citations and complete APA style references for all the sources you used to
inform your work.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Drinking Water: Understanding the Science and Policy behind a Natural Resource (provided
as a PDF document)
Home Water Safety: Evaluating the Condition of Your Public Water Supply (provided as a
PDF Document)
10 Ways Clean Water Can Change the World: https://thewaterproject.org/why-water/10-
ways-clean-water-changes-the-world
