Tuesday, May 08, 2007

THE BOTTLED WATER CON



JEFF ALEXANDER, MUSKEGON CHRONICLE - A glowing orange sun rises above
snow-capped peaks on the label of Aquafina, America's best-selling
bottled water and one that claims to be "pure water" with a "perfect
taste." The label doesn't mention that the Aquafina sold in Michigan
comes from the city of Detroit's water system.

"Yuck," said Muskegon Community College student Sara Tibbe, who said she
didn't know Aquafina was Detroit water. "I don't like the taste of
Aquafina as well as the Nestle water." That might be because Nestle's
Pure Life and Ice Mountain products in Michigan are groundwater pumped
from wells and natural springs in the Muskegon River watershed.

Before it bottles Detroit water, Aquafina goes through a seven-step
treatment process, beyond the treatment the Detroit water department
conducts, a company official said. . .

Corporate watchdogs and environmentalists are pressuring water bottling
companies to disclose the source of their water. Critics accuse
companies like Pepsi (Aquafina) and Coke (Dasani) of hypocrisy by
promoting bottled water as a healthier alternative to tap water when
those products are, in fact, purified tap water. . .

Bob Kuhn, Muskegon's director of public works, said he doesn't
understand why anyone would buy bottled water when city water is just as
good and far cheaper.
At roughly $1 per bottle, bottled water costs about 3,300-times more per
ounce than water from Muskegon's water system. Muskegon, like most West
Michigan communities, gets its drinking water from Lake Michigan.

"People are paying a very high premium for the luxury of having a
carry-along water bottle," Kuhn said. "I tell people that I can sell
them 748 gallons of water for $1.40."

To put it another way, homeowners in Muskegon could spend $1.40 and fill
4,787 20-ounce containers with Muskegon tap water. Or they could buy one
20-ounce bottle of Aquafina, Dasani or Ice Mountain water for about $1.

http://www.mlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-11/
1178201896145200.xml&coll=8&thispage=3


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