Time to take back the Tap!
Without water, we die. Hunger strikers are known to die after 50 - 70 days.
One of the greatest sacrifices we may make in our lives is to live (for a few days only!) without touching water to our lips - this "fasting" is common in many religious and spiritual practices worldwide. We know instinctively that we need water to survive. Second to air, water is the most bountiful substance on the planet, so much so that it makes up 90% of our bodies' constituents.
Most of us are aware that we should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to stay healthy. There is little evidence that supports the latest industry offerings of flavour-enhanced sugar free plastic bottled water as a substantially healthier choice than regular tap water.
At home, the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) states that the local bottled water market grew by more than 20% in the past two years. SANBWA figures show that 260 million litres of bottled water were sold during 2006 at an average retail price of R7.19 per litre. That makes a turnover of almost R2 billion for the industry!
Even more so, in 2004, the total global consumption of bottled water was 154 billion litres. 154 billion litres - and that was a 57% increase from the 98 billion litres consumed worldwide in 1999. Despite the exorbitant cost of bottled water, analysts predict that the bottled water market will continue to grow at 6 - 7 % per annum.
Bottled water costs almost as much as petrol per litre, in comparison with the average cost of tap water in South Africa is R3, 07 per kilolitre. In a price sensitive society, having to manage a 40% increase in food prices over the last year, should we really be spending our money on a natural, abundant (and most of us are very, very lucky in this!) resource?
I recommend a moment to consider the environmental impact of your next purchase of bottled water. Think about the energy consumed in the process and transport; think about the effects on our local water resources; think about the waste generated. To make one litre of the delicious, convenient bottled nectar, it takes 3 - 5 litres in the "manufacturing process".
Then there's the plastic problem. It is well documented that chemicals from the plastic may leach into water during storage and especially re-use. Even though the plastic used, known as PET can be recycled into other useful materials (such as fibres used in pillows and eiderdowns); only 20% of this popular packaging material is recycled in South Africa - the remainder ends up in landfill or incineration or even worse - the ocean!
Our bottled water fetish also creates a ridiculous dependency and insatiable market for petroleum based product and our limited water resources. Large multi nationals such as Coca Cola Company and Nestle are busy buying up water supplies all over the world. Water is being considered the new oil and the pending shortage of this resource will soon become number 1 on the list of global crises, as a result of our stupid bottled water obsession.
In recent South African news (Nov 2007), The National Consumer Forum (NCF) announced a warning to South African consumers that they may be threatening their health and environment by drinking bottled water. The NCF was reacting to reports that up to 40% of bottled water in the US uses tap water as a source. The announcement was made as the NCF suspected similar trends in South Africa.
What they wash over:
Selected ingredients in a popular "lightly flavoured sparkling drink", which occupies majority of the shelf space in local retail and convenience stores:
Flavourant - Adds taste
Flavourants and aromas are perfumes by another name, derived from petrochemicals. They often contain the same range of neurotoxins, carcinogens and allergens found in all perfumes.
Acesulfame K - Artificial sweetener
It causes cancer in animals. One of its breakdown products (acetoacetamide) has been shown to affect thyroid functioning in rats, rabbits and dogs. This ingredient is often blended with other sweeteners to cover its bitter taste, although there are no studies to show whether the combination is safe or whether it may produce other toxic by-products.
Aspartamine - Artificial sweetener
A common neural stimulant used in more than 6000 consumer foiod and beverage product worldwide. The known symptoms in reaction to this ingredient include headaches, migraines and heart palpitations. Chronic illnesses which are triggered or worsened include Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Potassium Sorbate - Preservative E202
The relatively innocent ingredient; which causes eye, nose and throat irritation.
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Ever think that drinking tap water can help save you and the planet?
Tap water seems to come out as the environmental winner - it generates zero waste to burn or to bury or to recycle into other product (which uses energy and leaves its own environmental footprint). Tap water is also extremely cheap. Our water is safe to drink and even safer when we filter.
The time has come to "Take back the Tap!"
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Written by Janine Johnston
Manager of the Natural and Organic Products Exhibition
The 5th annual showcase is planned for 17 - 19 October 2008 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
For more information please contact 021 671 0935 or Janine@specialised.com
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