The latter refers to crucial investments needed in local municipal water infrastructure we rely upon for cheap and high-quality drinking water.
Funny enough, we are quickly up in arms when our municipal water rate goes up, but we are willing to pay almost 2,000 times (!)
more for bottled water, which is most likely not much more than nicely packaged, refiltered tap water and subject to lower quality standards than our tap water.
For that same amount ($2.62), you could fill 4,787 20-ounce bottles with tap water.
Assuming a price of $1 for 20 ounces of bottled water makes it 1,827 times more expensive than tap water!
Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, while bottled water is regulated under less stringent standards by the Food and Drug Administration.
Because bottled water tastes better?
Full disclosure: For taste reasons, I refilter our tap water before it fills up my family’s glasses, pitchers and water bottles, but nevertheless it’s our primary and preferred method of hydration.
I’m not a cheapskate, but buying bottled water is one of the hardest things for me.
Good thing we have many local organizations and government entities that work diligently year-round to ensure clean drinking water and respond swiftly to water-related emergencies.