We have all been tricked (brainwashed) into believing bottled water is more pure and fresh than tap water; a brilliant yet deceptive tactic of corporations to fatten their profits. Streams, fountains, and other "fresh" landscapes on their labels further convince us that the water is really pure. In 1999 the NRDC tested 1000 bottles of 103 brands of water (most recent major report of water bottle safety) and the organization discovered that:

1. At least one of the samples of 1/3 of the brands contained chemical or bacterial toxins, including carcinogens exceeding state and industry standards.
2. Samples of two brands were contaminated with phthalates, exceeding the EPA standard for tap water!

1. Get a water-quality or consumer-confidence report from your local water utility. If you have well water, get it tested every year. You can also call the EPA's toll-free Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791. or visit the website for the Campaign for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water at www.safe-drinking-water.org.
2. Reconsider drinking from the office watercooler. First, it is rarely, if ever, cleaned. Second, they are made of polycarbonate and have the nasty potential to leak bisphenol (BPA), a chemical that causes neurological and other problems. Recent research linked the BPA to a variety of disorders, including breast cancer and obesity, and one disturbing 2007 study, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, found that BPA exposure can cross generations.
3. Get a reusable stainless steel container and fill it up with your own tap or filtered water. Check out Klean Kanteen, SIGG, Greenfeet, and New Wave Enviro.
4. Never drink bottled water exposed to hot temperatures.
5. Buy only bottled water when necessary and make sure it has the NSF logo on it.

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