Bottled Water

[Ginger Rogers]

Ok it's nothing new that Evian is Naive backwards... But I'm interested to know, is bottled water really 'purified' tap water? if so how is that legal?

I actually do drink bottled water because down here the water is very hard and out of the tap is not nice. There are bits floating in it. Some bottled waters, volvic for example to my mind taste rather bitter, but they could easily add some minerals to it to get that effect.

What do you think, is it a scam?

[tkingdoll]

Well, it's only by coincidence that Evian is naive backwards, it's actually the name of the town in France where the water is sourced. Evian-les-Bains is near Lake Leman and the word means 'water'.

From http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fr-74-ev.html: "However, the name of Evian is related with water. It comes most probably from a Celtic or pre-Celtic root meaning water, and was written Aviano in 1150, Yvians in 1268. Local pencil pushers invented the Latin form Aquianum in the Middle Ages."



OK, here's the lowdown: some bottled water is just purified tap water, and some isn't.

The legal classifications are as follows:

If it says Natural Mineral Water, then it's just that, straight from the natural source, nothing added and nothing taken away. Evian is in this category.

If it says Spring Water, then it's water from the natural source that has been treated, de-mineralised or mineralised etc.

If it says Still Water (and nothing more - supermarket's own 'no-frills' labels tend to be this) then it's filtered tap water.

So you are getting more from your Evian than your tap, BUT what does make it a ripoff is that there are no health benefits to drinking Evian compared to filtered water. The only difference is in the taste, and that's very much a matter of taste :D

Personally, I have a Brita water filter as I dislike the taste of Birmingham tap water, although I do sometimes buy Volvic as I find it sweeter than Evian. However, in a blinded test I seriously doubt I would be able to tell the difference between filtered, tap, mineral or toilet water!

The real problem with bottled water is the waste involved in the plastic. It's better to buy one and refill it yourself than keep on adding to the plastic mountain!

[Ginger Rogers]

Ah ok, I didn't know that. I have a bottle of Buxton 'natural Mineral water' i'm currently drinking so that is good then!

But whilst I can see the point that natural water has no benefits in itself, it does concern me that the chemicals in tap water are not good for us at all, and I always have said (conspiracy theory alert lol) that cancer could be caused by chemicals that we ingest, in our food, in our water, and in the air. Blaming it on smoking is a fallacy designed to cover up this fact. that's my theory anyway! :D

[Mongrel]

Here's (http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/bottle.html) a good article about bottled water Ginger.

After processing the only things that gets added are Chlorine and Fluoride, at parts per Billion levels, although the water may contain traces of other chemicals from whatever it passed through before hitting the reservoir, but at strictly regulated (and incredibly low levels), some more details here (http://www.britishwater.co.uk/html/drinking_water.html). If the Chlorine is bothering you there are a number of options available ranging from letting the water stand for 5-10 mins (it dissipates quickly) to fully plumbed in ion exchange or reverse Osmosis filters.

Beware of scare sites that are probably trying to sell you something (whether it's anti-fluoridation or expensive non-working filters), one I found said
Here is a list of just a few of the chemicals routinely added to our water supply:

* Liquified chlorine
* Fluorosilicic acid
* Aluminium sulphate
* Calcium hydroxide
* Sodium silicofluoride

All of which is true, they just don't tell you that all but the Chlorine are Pre-treatment chemicals, two of them are used in conjunction to remove solid particulate matter (first one is added, that bonds to particles, second is added and the two chemicals combine to form a jelly-like substance that can be scooped out - thus removing all trace of the chemical).

As an aside I found their use of "Liquified Chlorine" to be a emotionally charged, there's no good reason not to just say Liquid Chlorine... ;)

[Admin]

I don't think bottled water is a rip off as long as they're not making any claims for it to be anything other than water.

Penta water were making all sorts of silly claims for their water but they couldn't substantiate their claims and it has been withdrawn from the UK market.

Volvic. Hmmm... :ponder: What on Earth is 'volcanicity'?

[Nicky]

If you can find it, buy 'One' bottled water.

They donate all their profits to building wells in Africa.

http://www.we-are-one.org.uk/

[Ginger Rogers]

Oh that's good... if they really do that... ::)

I just don't much like the taste of tap water here. it has bits floating in it and is very choriney tasting, and smelling.

[Aardvark]

You need to move to West Yorkshire where the water is very soft, clear and once it has stood for 30 seconds after drawing it even looses its bleachy nose.

I love your Avatar Ginger, are you a fan of domesticated pole cats??

If so have a look at this site

http://www.bantaworld.com/

[JJM]

Please vote yes at http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/search/display.var.2310176.0.the_fluoride_debate.php

[Lord Muck oGentry]

Did someone mention soft water?
Here the praises of our local supply are sung by the poet:
http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/poems/pgkatrine.htm

And it's got Urisks:
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/folklore/scottishfolkapp.html#GlossU








( McGonagall and pixies in one post— if this doesn't get me drummed out of the Brownies, I don't know what will. ;D )

[Vikingraider1]

Years ago I was a bricklayer and did a job for a small company selling water filters. The bloke who ran the company was a bit of a nob but when it came to water he really knew his stuff. He said that bottled water was one big con, as the chemicals in the plastic bottles affected the purity of the water. Also, if it was left standing on shelves unrefrigerated then the bacteria multiplied a hell of a lot quicker in the water. None of this will kill you but it sort of defeats the object. He also said that the best water to drink was tap water, as although it did contain certain chemicals, it was far purer than some bottled water. He also went on to say that the myth of drinking 8 glasses of water a day was never substantiated and that you could get your required daily intake of liquids from milk, tea, fruit juice etc.