Despite US scientific claims that bottled water and tap water are no different, and their claims that the only reason people drink bottled water is because it looks, tastes and smells better, is not something that is very convincing to the majority of Americans. In fact the sale of bottled water across the US is rising about 7-10% each year, costing the consumer more than $100 billion US or the equivalent of 154 billion liters of filtered bottled water.
Some of the criteria by which the majority of consumers make their bottled water purchases are: convenience; safety; and potability. Most consumer perceptions about bottled water may well be due in part to the attractive labeling and advertising campaigns used by industry bottled water providers. However, despite constant guarantees across both the United States and Canada that local drinking water is safe, outbreaks of contamination, combined with deaths and inconvenience, are leading most consumers to doubt government authorities and public water providers and err on side of caution.
An outbreak of cryptosporidium in 1993 in Milwaukee made many people very sick. Last year, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada was overwhelmed by a water crisis, started by landslides into the reservoirs on the nearby mountains. This contamination of the main drinking source for Greater Vancouver caused water to be dangerous to drink. The water resembled sludge, smelled foul, and despite the ‘boil water advisories’ a thick residue coated the bottom of any container it touched. In the end, boiling water was not enough, and local authorities appeared distant as they failed to keep the public informed. As the first week passed, residents were left to fend for themselves, fighting over what was left of the city’s bottled water supply, and in many cases, unable to find safe drinking or cooking water. Canned foods became a sparse commodity. Poor people risked death because they could not afford to buy bottled water. What did the local authorities do? Nothing was done – no water tankers, no emergency shelters with water, and no free water. People went into debt to provide themselves, their families, elderly people, disabled people, street people and others with the basic necessity of life. If you couldn’t pay, you couldn’t get. Thankfully, no one died this time, but the lack of confidence that drinking water consumers have in authorities in Canada and the United States is very apparent, and probably warranted. Their demand for clean, healthy drinking water continues. Their faith in filtered bottled water is never ending, expanding beyond North America’s borders.
World Bottled Water Consumption:
The following is a list of bottled water consumption according to each major world market –
| USA |
25.8 |
| Mexico |
17.7 |
| China |
11.9 |
| Brazil |
11.6 |
| Italy |
10.7 |
| Germany |
10.3 |
| France |
8.5 |
| Indonesia |
7.4 |
| Spain |
5.5 |
| India |
5.1 |
| Others |
39.9 |
|
| Grand Total |
154.3 |
The following is a list of bottled water consumption per person annually -
| Italy |
183.6 |
| Mexico |
168.5 |
| United Arab Emirates |
163.5 |
| Belgium |
148.0 |
| France |
141.6 |
| Spain |
136.7 |
| Germany |
124.9 |
| Lebanon |
101.4 |
| Switzerland |
99.6 |
| Cyprus |
92.0 |
| United States |
90.5 |
| Saudi Arabia |
87.8 |
| Czech Republic |
87.1 |
| Austria |
82.1 |
| Portugal |
80.3 |
| India |
0.6 |
Current sources of demand – the brands:
Arrowhead
Aquafina
Aquapod
Bisleri
Crystal Geyser
Dasani
Deer Park
Dejŕ Blue
Evian
Fiji
Galvanina
Gerolsteiner
Iceland Pure Spring Water
Ozarka
Pennine Spring
Perrier
Propel Fitness Water
Ramlösa
San Pellegrino
Spa
Ty Nant
Vata
Voss
Zephyrhills
Sources: NRDC.Org
Beverage Marketing.Com
Bottled Water.Org
Canadian Bottled Water Association
NCBI.Gov
International Bottled Water Association
Environmental Magazine
British Bottled Water Association
Earth Policy Institute
