Bottled Water: an Unsustainable Scourge: a Critical Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
INTRODUCTION 3
Purpose and Scope of the Study 4
Sources and Methods 4
LITERATURE FINDINGS AND RESULTS 4
Benefits 5
Health Concerns 5
Environmental Risks .6
SOCIAL SURVEY FINDINGS AND RESULTS .7
Taste and convenience 8
Cost and Environmental Impact ..8
Health ..9
On-Campus Water Consumption .10
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION .11
CONCLUSIONS .12
RECOMMENDATIONS .13
REFERENCES .14
APPENDIX A: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE .15
APPENDIX B: SELECTED INTERVIEW COMMENTS 22

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
INTRODUCTION 3
Purpose and Scope of the Study 4
Sources and Methods 4
LITERATURE FINDINGS AND RESULTS 4
Benefits 5
Health Concerns 5
Environmental Risks Error! Bookmark not defined.
SOCIAL SURVEY FINDINGS AND RESULTS Error! Bookmark not defined.
Taste and convenience Error! Bookmark not defined.
Cost and Environmental Impact Error! Bookmark not defined.
Health Error! Bookmark not defined.
On-Campus Water Consumption Error! Bookmark not defined.
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONCLUSIONS Error! Bookmark not defined.
RECOMMENDATIONS Error! Bookmark not defined.
REFERENCES Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX A: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX B: SELECTED INTERVIEW COMMENTS 22

Bottled water is a growing industry that threatens water safety, equity, and ecosystem health. The United Nations have declared, “The human right to drinking water is fundamental to life and health.” But when water becomes a commodity to be bought and sold, it means those who can afford it get it while those who can’t go thirsty. Marketing of bottle water has made it a fad, where a bottle of mineral water has become a lifestyle accessory. Finally, allowing our water to fall into the hands of big business, allowing them to package and remove water from ecosystems where life depends on might be irresponsible and dangerous. The purpose of...