Dying for a Drop: Impact of the Use of Bottled Water on World Economies

The accessibility to drinking water has improved quite dramatically over the past century, particularly in North America. One major source of drinking water for people is tap water, although tap water has been associated with some major health issues, particularly in developing countries. Tap water in general is safer in the United States, Canada and other developed nations. However, bottled water is still used by many people in these countries today because of its portability, ‘guaranteed’ cleanliness and preference of taste (which is arguable). Many people in these countries don’t recognize both the environmental cost of packaging and transporting bottled water and the health implications of persistent use of plastic bottles. The controversy between tap water and bottled water has always been around due to health concerns, taste, price and, especially, environmental issues. Some even regard bottled water as quite unnecessary and merely as a generator of profits.