Bottled water can contain water from many different sources. It can be from springs found in mountains or similar areas, it can be pure glacial water found in extremely cold regions, or it can simply be water that has been purified and reused as drinking water. It is sold as an alternative to tap water, and can contain elements that are beneficial to human health. Many developing countries depend upon bottled water, as the local tap water is unsafe to drink. These countries are particularly vulnerable to economic problems as a result of this.
There are strict guidelines put in place by the European Union to regulate the quality and contents of various types of bottled water available for consumers. Two main kinds of bottled water are recognised – mineral water and spring water. Mineral water is water that is found in the ground, and is naturally very pure. Spring water comes from the same place as mineral water, but is found collected in springs.
Both types of water must undergo similar treatments before they are safe for human consumption. Certain elements are not removed though. Heavier metals are removed through various processes, and carbon dioxide is often removed, but can be left to produce water that is naturally carbonated. The process of removing or adding carbon dioxide must be stated on the packaging of the bottled water, so the customer is aware what it contains and whether it is naturally carbonated or not.
Many people are against the production and sale of bottled water. They feel that the process is a waste of time, money and valuable resources because the water found in the taps of many developed countries is safe to drink and has undergone a stricter cleansing and purification process. These people are concerned about resources that are wasted purifying and distributing a product that is already available, and they are also wary of the environmental issues created by the dumping of the plastic bottles.
Though many developing countries turn to bottled water as their only clean source of drinking water, the money put into creating this water could go towards developing clean tap water. Many poor families cannot afford the highly priced bottled water, and end up drinking the unsafe tap water anyway. It is felt that a better solution would be to concentrate on installing means of purifying and treating water instead of selling bottled water.