Kirchner 1 Reflective letter: Constructing this essay was done by first listing a number of topics of interest that fit

the cause-effect requirement. Several were placed on the list but the main topic was chosen because of the authors particular interest following a recent conversation with an associate. Research into the subject was conducted before prewriting to confirm sufficient material existed before any other attempts were made. Surprisingly, ample research has been conducted on the topic and three scholarly journal articles were quickly located. Based on the information obtained through research, a thesis statement and introduction were established fairly easily and the authors position was easily determined as well. Additional consideration was given to the intended audience. Since the related research material was not overly complicated and did not rely upon scientific terminology, the information was considered to be suited for the audience. In addition, the topic was expected to attract considerable interest from the audience as they are likely heavy consumers of the research product. The intent of the author was to inform and persuade the reader to make a more conscientious choice. The organization was emphatic. The topic naturally relied upon research that was not suited for a chronological approach. Each argument for the cause and effect was laid out in the order of relative importance. A first draft was completed followed by several proofs and rewrites before submission of the final piece.

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Keith R. Kirchner Professor Brenda Stephens English 101 29 November 2013 Is Bottled Water Better The bottled water craze is in full swing. Grocery store isles are usually packed full of bottled water with labels ranging from generic to exotic. The craze is not isolated to North America as many countries around the world have caught on to this convenient alternative to filling up at the water fountain or from the kitchen faucet. There are a variety of reasons beyond mere convenience that lead people to choose bottled water over tap water. Regardless of the reason though, the impact on the environment has been devastating. Why Do People Prefer Bottle Water The popularity of bottled water cannot be pinned down to one particular reason. Demographics, availability, quality of local water supplies, and taste are just some of the reasons people choose to refresh themselves from a prepackaged bottle. Convenience is yet another. Using the prepackaged form eliminates the problem of washing the reusable glass or bottle. Water can be transported easily in this form and the container can be thrown away once it is empty. The annoying reusable container rolling around in the vehicle floor board for days or leaving it behind at work or school can be avoided. Convenience seems to be a necessity in todays fast paced internet age. The drive through is preferred over home cooked meals, emails are preferred over the U.S. Postal Service snail mail, and when the handymans tool breaks, it is quickly chunked into the trash and replaced

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after a trip to the local depot store. It should be of no surprise that the bottled water option has gained appeal with todays throwaway society. Bottled water may also be considered a safer alternative than municipal supplies. This is especially true when local supplies experience outbreaks of infectious diseases or when contaminants are discovered flowing from the consumers tap. The effects from such problems can be short lived or enduring depending on media coverage or the severity (Doria 273). Choosing bottled water when a serious health risk arising in a particular region is understandable but a national or even international reaction is not. Millions of consumers use water from the faucet each day and are choosing a perfectly safe way to hydrate. Another consideration causing people to choose bottled water is a perceived healthier choice. The trend of healthier options is not isolated to the bottled water industry. In recent years consumers have increasingly opted for healthier foods such as organically grown vegetables and drinks such as juices (Doria, p. 273). Consumers interested in improved health may be surprised that approximately 44 percent of all bottled water was obtained from a municipal source as opposed to a naturally occurring spring. Manufacturers often needlessly and wastefully filter or purify the water a second time in these cases (Ascioti, p. 8). People most likely prefer bottled water because of organoleptic considerations. Organoleptic refers to taste, odor, and sight. The preference can vary from one region to another and from country to country but taste seems to matter most often when choosing to hydrate (Doria, p. 272). It is understandable to choose bottled water when the local supply has a foul odor or taste. Making the switch when the distinction between the two is slight or non-existent just doesnt make sense especially when the cost difference is considered.

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How Has the Introduction of Bottled Water Effected the Environment? Where do all of the bottled water containers end up? Most often in the local landfill as speculated by one researcher. In Canada it is estimated that 30 million bottled water containers are thrown into landfills every day. The number of recycled containers is staggeringly low at just 13 percent (Queiroz, p. 328). Simply looking into any trash containers at work, school, or at home will provide support for this research. Limited landfill space and the cost to operate these facilities, which are normally passed on to the tax payer, should cause any responsible consumer to consider a wiser choice or at least to recycle. Producing bottled water is simply wasteful as well. The energy expended is consumed for transportation, manufacturing, and waste management. Disposable water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Synthesizing and shaping the bottles from PET requires consumption of natural gas, petroleum, and electricity. In 2007 an estimated 50 million barrels of oil was consumed for production of containers. In addition, it is estimated that producing bottled water requires 2000 times the energy required for tap water. After production the product must be shipped and often cooled at the local convenience store before it reaches the consumer (Ascioti, p. 9). In a time when energy cost and global warming are front and center nationally and internationally, it is surprising that so many have been attracted to the bottled water craze. Why choose a product that was probably shipped across the country or across the planet when a safe alternative is a few steps away? Tap water usually flows a short distance through a pipe with minimal energy consumption. In addition to energy consumption, the bottled water industry poses an environmental impact as well. The vast energy consumption produces harmful toxins such as methane and carbon dioxide that are released into the environment (Ascioti, p. 6). Containers that dont end up

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in the landfill or recycling center are often found on the side of the road, in our streams and even the ocean where they can remain for centuries. One of the more troubling concerns over bottled water production centers around the impact on municipal and naturally occurring water supplies such as aquifers and springs. The localized drain on water supplies can reduce available reservoirs dramatically. The Ogallala aquifer in the United States supplies water to eight different states. Consumption of water from the aquifer is estimated at ten times its capacity to replenish itself. While the impact on the aquifer is not isolated to bottled water, the effect has been significant (Queiroz, p. 330). When vast amounts of water are taken from one region to supply other regions a shortage in the source area can be expected. It is equivalent to driving across town for a tank of gasoline when a better priced option is a just a few blocks away. The emergence of bottled water in the marketplace has many troubling consequences. With the exception of replacing contaminated or diminished water supplies, the use of bottled water is simply not a legitimate alternative to tap water. The cost alone, especially in todays economic climate, should encourage consumers to remain faithful to the kitchen tap or water fountain. In short, using the prepackaged bottle simply does not hold water.

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Works Cited Ascioti, Frank, Atwarter, Britney, McCabe, Mark, and Rallis, Nick. "Think Outside the Bottle at WPI: A Transition to Tap Water." (2013). http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/Eproject/Available/E-project-042913-113415/unrestricted/CAI_FINAL_Proposal_4-27.pdf Doria, Miquel. "Bottled water versus tap water: Understanding consumers-preferences." J Water Health 271 (2006): 276. http://www.iwaponline.com/jwh/004/JWH0040271.htm Queiroz, Josiane, Rosenberg, Mark, Heller, Leo, Ahouri, Andrea, and Silva, Sara. "News about Tap and Bottled Water: Can This Influence Peoples Choices? "Journal of Environmental Protection 3 (2012): 324-333.J Water Health (2006) 271-276. doi:10.4236/jep.2012.34041