TFTT Report
New Resource Available: “The Bottled Water Problem”
The Truth from the Tap toolkit has a new resource, “The Bottled Water Problem,” which examines the issues surrounding bottled water consumption. The backgrounder explores the economic implications and environmental consequences of reliance on bottled water, and how public distrust in water systems drives this reliance.
There is the strong correlation between government distrust and the increased reliance on bottled water. The resource cites compelling case studies, including examples from Martin County, KY, and other communities where a significant portion of residents depend on bottled water due to concerns about the safety and reliability of their government-run systems.
Beyond the immediate cost, the resource highlights the broader financial implications of bottled water, emphasizing the disproportionate economic burden placed on low-income families, who often allocate a significant portion of their income to its purchase.
To address this “bottled water problem,” we need strategic investment in upgrading and maintaining our water infrastructure, a top priority of America’s regulated, private water companies who annually invest over $6 billion in community water systems. Such investment can help rebuild public trust and ensure equitable access to safe, reliable tap water for all communities.