During National Drinking Water Week – 4-10 May 2014 – the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) highlights the important role bottled water plays in our on-the-go society, in which most people meet their hydration needs through packaged beverages. For those who want to eliminate or moderate calories, sugar, caffeine, artificial flavours or colours, and other ingredients from their diet, bottled water offers consumers a safe, healthy, and convenient alternative to other packaged drinks.
“Most people who drink bottled water also drink tap water, and the bottled water industry recognises the importance of having a safe reliable municipal drinking supply,” said Chris Hogan, IBWA vice president of communications. “The bottled water industry supports a strong public water system, which is important for providing citizens with clean and safe drinking water. Promoting greater consumption of water from all sources, including bottled water, will support the efforts of communities striving for a healthier lifestyle.”
Efforts to further increase the availability of clean, safe drinking water in cities, towns, on college campuses, in the work place, and at home should be encouraged. Bottle refilling stations and water fountains throughout communities are an excellent opportunity to help promote healthy hydration. Consumers’ access to bottled water is also a key component of leading a healthy lifestyle and therefore it should be available for purchase wherever packaged beverages are sold.
IBWA released a water use ratio study in 2013, showing that the amount of water used to produce bottled water products is less than all other types of packaged beverages; on average, only 1.39 litres per litre of finished bottled water (including the litre of water consumed).
Many bottled water companies use public water sources for some of their products. This source water is treated using the multi-barrier approach described above and bottled under sanitary conditions. Nearly every US consumer and industry relies on tap water, and every taxpayer and every industry must help ensure that supplies of water from municipal systems are safe and plentiful in the years ahead.
Source: IBWA
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