In this era of healthy living, a shiny water bottle is a critical accessory. In most cases tap water is as good as bottled water and comes at a far lower cost.
In this era of healthy living, a shiny water bottle is a critical accessory. In most cases tap water is as good as bottled water and comes at a far lower cost.
Fresh Water Manager of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa, Rodney February said SA has the third cleanest water in the world. Since South Africa has limited fresh water we should not waste so much but use what we have.
A 2006 WWF study found that it takes three litres of tap water to make one litre of bottled water; excessive bottling of water removes water from our already low water table.
The process to manufacture bottled water also generates 600 times more carbon dioxide than that for supplying tap water.
“The energy used to manufacture and transport these bottles contributes to global warming and the huge amount of plastic bottles contributes to pollution”, February said.
Grahamstown is advancing in its attempts to balance the impacts of this industry, as bottles can be recycled under the municipality’s two-bag system or by Makana Glass & Bottle Recyclers.
Legal matters
Legislation in South Africa is not yet strong enough to regulate effectively.
At the moment the Department of Health has regulations on bottled water which states that bottled water is packed in sealed containers, but does not contain sugars, sweeteners, or flavourings.
This means that the current trend in flavoured water incurs less scrutiny at the moment.
The WWF reported that South Africans consumed 260 million litres of bottled water in 2006, three million litres of which were imported.
In Grahamstown local companies have started to bottle water to sell it. Bottles line the aisles of retailers.
Rainwater solution
Drinking water can also be produced through reverse osmosis, although Rhodes University Safety and Environmental Officer Nikki Kohly said the problem with this water is that it lacks the necessary minerals that our bodies need.
Kohly recommends using rainwater as a "free gift from above"instead of bottled water reduces demand on Makana’s piped supply.
Since rain water is the cleanest water available Kohly believes that this can be part of a cleaner lifestyle.
"It is a really satisfying feeling when we can become a bit more self sufficient," Kohly said.
She says rainwater would ensure that residents have an alternative source of water and would not have to worry about the quality of water supplied by the municipality.
The best solution for your next exercise excursion will be to take a bottle and fill it with rainwater.
The taste of rainwater will be even sweeter knowing that you are saving money, and the environment.
