When It Comes To H20, Who Do You Trust?

Time To Chime In: Leave It Up To Uncle Sam Or The Private Sector?

(CBS)  Consumers often believe that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap water but the government now says their faith is misplaced. And now move's afoot to force bottled water providers to make sure their products come with the same level of disclosure information as that offered by municipal water providers. (Regular tap water must be tested in certified labs.)

With Congress now looking into the matter, what's the most reasonable way for Washington to proceed? More government-sponsored regulation or should Uncle Sam leave it up to the individual companies - and their customers - to decide what's right for them? It's your turn to comment. Let's hear what you have to say.

[gosstom]

Considering that there are 4,500 plus trace chemicals in water to include, but not limited to, contraceptive pill wastes, ferociously powerful chemotherapy chemicals, powerful herbicides and pesticides with the list increasing by 400 plus additional new ones per year, I think the government is headed 180 degrees in the wrong direction. With cancer making a drastic comeback despite new therapies, it is about time that the gvt. takes a step toward making all water sold be in bottles.

[lawyertom1]

Drinking water is heavily regulated, and virtually all drinking water purveyors are careful to follow the rules. I never cease to be surprised by the extent to which such entities take their mission with the utmost seriousness, unlike many other local and regional governmental bodies. If you do a life-cycle analysis of the environmental and energy costs of bottled water, there is one conclusion that can be reasonably drawn -- it is a waste. Between creation and disposal of plastics, the leaching of plasticers and binders with significant adverse human health effects, and the ridiculous cost, it is a waste [no pun] all around. There is no question that bottled water needs to be regulated since its quality is often poor. But more importantly, it is an economic waste and an environmental blight.

[Wookiee-1138]

I've never wasted money on bottled water, and frankly, I think those that do are fools. I stick with tap water and a brita pitcher.

[fdx22]

I use a PUR water filter mounted on my faucet to get clean drinking water, which is cheaper than bottled water. Bakersfield, CA tap water is slightly harder than most other tap water sources.