In Search of a Uniform Standard For Bottled Water

Abstract

Bottled water, as distinguished from drinking water derived through a piped water distribution system (“tap water”), has unique characteristics that justify its regulation apart from tap water. First, the bulk of bottled water is used specifically for human consumption through drinking, cooking, and food preparation. Second, the perception that bottled water meets or exceeds the standards of tap water is widespread and is supported by the fact that people commonly pay a higher unit cost for bottled water than for tap water, from 500 to 1000 times greater, depending on the brand of the bottled water and local market conditions. Third, the time and vessels in which bottled water and tap water are carried to the consumer are different. Unlike tap water, which may be exposed to a variety of conduit materials during its fairly constant time of travel to the consumer, the residence time of bottled water in a single container made of a single material can be days, weeks, months, or years. Fourth, bottled water has the potential for widespread distribution far beyond its point of origin, including different cities, regions, and countries. Lastly, consumers of bottled water are subject to a myriad of individual labeling possibilities, whereas there are no such labels for tap water.