The physiological importance of water can never be overstated. Many who (do) have access to drinkable tap water choose not to imbibe. This is due to the promoted, commodification of water as part of the proliferation of (disposable) bottled water. Add to that aesthetics of material items, vegetative (ornamental) needs and requirements of sundry industrial processes. Many times, partially consumed bottles of purchased water can be found (just) sitting around. More (bottled) water is being consumed. There is a beneficial aspect of more bottled water being sold: that health and wellness is (being) benefited. Yet the overall impact upon the environment begs to question the long term feasibility of bottled water.
Agua. L’eau. Vasser. Maji. . . . . Water We cannot live without it. It comprises 75% of human physiological constitution. It is a key component (90%) of blood plasma which comprises up to 40% total volume of blood This is critical for nutrient / waste and oxygen / CO2 transport and exchange. Every Structure in the body contains water to a greater or lesser degree. Fluidity of movement, any movement would not be possible without water facilitated fluid matrix of cells, tendons, ligament, muscles. The connective tissues (tendons. Ligaments) are made up from Ground substance which is 70% water. Water is critical to survival.
The common tendency, in the U.S.A., is to eschew tap water. Tap water is view as unclean. Tap water must adhere to rigorous standards of cleanliness and disinfection. Those same standards apply to bottled water as well. 25 percent of the total amount of available bottled water is (just) filtered tap water. The contamination of levels of bottled water can vary depending upon exposure to elements, storage improprieties, and compounds leaching from bottles. Bottled water, comparatively, is not much cleaner than tap water. However, many still choose to drink bottled water.
Bottled water promotion has upended the drink industry. “The marketing trick of the century” said John Jewell of The Week in 2014, relies on convincing consumers that bottled water is a healthier alternative to soda, when, in reality, it is an alternative to tap water. As consumers shied away from sugary soft drinks, major beverage businesses were able to play on the habit of buying a beverage by bottling a nearly free commodity in plastic and printing a label on it. The majority of people are completely falling for this ploy,
Other situations contribute to minimizing the importance of water to everyday (physiological) existence. Washing vehicles is a major pastime in the U.S.A. Water is ‘wasted’ in the pursuit of a ‘clean vehicle’. Although in some cases vehicles do need to be cleaned. that is typically not the case. Watering the grass in median islands, unnecessary . . . like ‘totally’. I would even go so far to say that government building, palatial estates and whatnot should not be using water in such a manner . . .but, as long as it is, somehow, being ‘paid for’ I guess that it is permissible. “According to Ertug Ercin with the Water Footprint Network, “Packaging (plastic) makes a significant footprint” Adding that three liters of water might be used to make a half-liter bottle. In other words, the amount of water going into making the bottle could be up to six or seven times what’s inside the bottle.”
There is the occasional sighting of the abandoned, partially full, water bottle. What goes though one’s mind upon seeing this purchased ‘elixir of life’ just sitting out. Well, my take is that this is just a personal dismissing of the importance of water. An unconscious oversight of the resources that go into making this bottle of water (more water). An assumption that there will be more water available for me to buy . . . right now, I am done with ‘this’ bottle . . . . I will just leave it here. I will not take the water and pour it on a plant. I will not take it with me and drink it later. I will just leave it here and let the housekeeping personnel dispose of it (for me). Makes me so sad.
Nonetheless, people are consuming more water. According to studies sales of water have increased BMC Executive Director John G. Rodwan Jr. states that “As the quintessential portable and affordable beverage, bottled water prompted the formation of new habits and even new usage occasions. Suitable for consumption at any time of night or day . . . .” Bottled water has become the preferred beverage option not only for consumers aiming to reduce caloric intake or lessen artificial sweetener usage, but also for consumers of all kinds. Yet, there are some drawbacks that accompany the rise in bottled water sales. Companies who sale water have had to ‘enhance’ the product, but these enhancements (added minerals) do not necessarily provide any advantage to the consumer. Regular water is what the person needs, after all is said and done.
Perhaps the greatest irony is that buying bottled water works against the goals of “health and eco-conscious” consumers by contributing to environmental degradation, supporting large corporations and spending 2,000 times what they would have compared to tap water, writes Business Insider. Health and wellness are very important. Selling health and wellness comes at a price in that there are trade-offs to making a dollar. What is being sacrificed are environmental stability, the use of water (in manufacturing process) to make the bottled water product. the proper storing of water over time at to minimize the leaching effect (from the plastic). Water is important. It is now a commodity. Many humans are not seeing that this commodification clouds the importance of water to everyday life.
DRINK THE WATER IF THE WATER IS DRINKABLE . . . . .
LINKS
https://www.seriouseats.com/how-bottled-water-became-americas-most-popular-beverage
https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/19047
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 