Bottled water last year surpassed soda as America’s most popular beverage. It’s a $16-billion-a-year industry, marketing a product that—when purchased one bottle at a time—costs about $6 per gallon, compared to two-tenths of a cent for a gallon of Irvine Ranch Water District tap.
Since both bottled and tap water meet regulatory standards, the choice is a matter of lifestyle, not health.
Here are some facts to consider:
- Tap water is economical and accessible, particularly with a travel bottle.
- 25% of all bottled water is packaged tap water.
- Plastic bottles produce waste: 85 million bottles are manufactured in the U.S. each day.
- Plastic bottles are made from petroleum—1.5 billion barrels every year— and the production and shipping of them burns fossil fuels.
Make the most of your tap water:
- Drink it from a reusable glass or stainless steel travel bottle to reduce waste.
- Keep it in a pitcher in the fridge to chill it and let it breathe.
- Infuse it with slices of cucumber, lemon or berries for a healthy punch.
- If you use a filter, be sure to change it regularly. Carbon-based fi lters are breeding grounds for bacteria.
How clean is our water? Irvine Ranch Water District meets all quality standards set by the state and federal government. Visit irwd.com/water-report to read our annual Water Quality Report, released this month.
