The Real Costs of Buying Bottled Water

Hello everyone! Let’s consider something many of us do regularly: buying bottled water. While it may seem convenient, the true cost, financially, environmentally, and health-wise might surprise you. Let’s break down these aspects to understand what we’re really paying for when we opt for bottled water.

Financial Costs

Buying bottled water can quickly become an expensive habit. Let’s crunch the numbers:

Average Cost of a 24-Pack of 16.9 oz Bottles:

• Price per pack: $4.99 (prices can vary slightly depending on location and store)

• Bottles per pack: 24

• Ounces per bottle: 16.9 oz

• Total ounces per pack: 16.9 oz x 24 = 405.6 oz

• Total gallons per pack: 405.6 oz / 128 oz per gallon = 3.17 gallons

If a family consumes about 1 gallon of water per day, they would need:

• Packs needed per year: 365 gallons per year /3.17 gallons per pack ≈ 115 packs per year

• Annual cost: 115 packs per year x $4.99 per pack ≈ $573.85 per year

So, for a year, a family spending on bottled water will be looking at around $573.85. Over five years, this amounts to approximately $2,869.25. That’s quite a chunk of change for something we can easily get from our tap with proper filtration.

Health Effects of Bottled Water

Studies have shown that bottled water can contain contaminants, including industrial chemicals, pesticide residues, and even microplastics. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Chemistry, researchers found that 93% of bottled water tested contained microplasticslastic Leaching:** The plastic bottles themselves can leach harmful chemicals into the water, especially when exposed to heat or stored for long periods. Chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are found in some plastics, can disrupt endocrine function, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances and health issues .

The environmental cost of bottled water is staggering:

1. Plastic Waste:

Each year, billions of plastic bottles are discarded, contributing to the massive plastic pollution problem. According to the Earth Day Network, about 1 million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the globe, and only 9% of them are recycled .

**2. Carbon Footprint:

Production and transportation of bottled water generate significant carbon emissions. From extracting and processing raw materials to manufacturing the bottles and transporting them to stores, the carbon footprint of bottled water is substantial.

Conclusion

While bottled water might seem like a convenient option, its true costs—financial, health, and environmental—are much higher than many of us realize. By understanding these impacts, we can make more informed choices about our drinking water. Consider alternatives like using a home water filtration system like a reverse osmosis system or a economical countertop system like the Berkeley System, which can provide clean, safe drinking water without the high cost and negative health and environmental impacts.

Also keep in mind that counter top pitchers are not effective at filtering microorganisms like viruses and bacteria, nitrites, fluoride, and pharmaceuticals.

Thank you for reading, and let’s make smarter choices for our health and our planet!

References

1. Microplastics in Bottled Water:

• Frontiers in Chemistry. Link to study

2. Health Effects of BPA:

• Environmental Health Perspectives. Link to study

3. Phthalates and Endocrine Disruption:

• Journal of Endocrinology. Link to study

4. Plastic Pollution Statistics:

• Earth Day Network. Link to source