The Consumption of Bottled Water & Tap Water
Azoulay, A., Garzon, P.,
& Eisenberg, M. J. (2001). Comparison
of the mineral content of tap water and bottled waters. Journal of
General Internal Medicine, 16(3), 168-175.
doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.04189.x
Despite of the rising
concern on adverse health effect on drinking water, the consumption of tap
water has decrease while consumption of bottled water has increase. This
objective of study was to observe the difference of the mineral content of tap
water and bottled water available in the North American cities. Only 3 minerals
have been chosen in these studies which are Calcium (Ca2+),
Magnesium (Mg2+) and Natrium (Na+). The minerals are very
important in human body functioning to ensure fluid level inside and outside
cells are balance. The imbalance of electrolytes in human body can cause muscle
spasm and weakness.
The interesting part of
this study was the regulation of bottled water in America. United States
Bottled Water Regulations approved the sale of distilled water (water that is
deficient of all dissolved substances). In contrast, the European Economic
Community Mineral Water Regulations prohibit the processing and treatment of any
water bottled from a source. The same goes to Malaysia. Ministry of Health only
allows the processing of mineral water as long as the mineral content before
and after processing doesn’t differ too much. It was stated in Food Act 1983.
As conclusion, mineral
intake from drinking water depends on the individual and on the source and
quantity of the water that is being consumed. The water quality in bottled and
tap water in North City of America are varying in many aspects such as mineral
content, aesthetical value and the sources.
Ferrier, C. (2001).
Bottled water: Understanding a social phenomenon. AMBIO: A Journal of the
Human Environment, 30(1), 118-119. doi: 10.1579/0044-7447-30.2.118
In this interesting
article, Ferrier classified bottled water into 3 major types which are natural
mineral water, spring water and purified water. In contrast, International
Bottled Water Association (IBWA) considers 4 other categories of bottled
waters: artesian water/artesian well water; drinking water; sparkling water and
well water. To differentiate between drinking water and mineral water, Ministry
of Health (KKM) have regulate the mechanism for manufacturer of drinking water
to put any color on the bottle cap except white for mineral water and white for
drinking water.
The social phenomenon in bottled water
industry refers to its ability to reflect a way to life. People nowadays prefer
to consume bottled water rather than tap water due to its taste. Tap water contains
RC fortified by water supplier to prevent contamination of E. coli. As described by Teillet et. Al. in 2010, it is demonstrated
that when presented with no chlorine, tap water is globally perceived in the same
way as bottled water.
In a nutshell, the
awareness on sustaining water security among people globally still low. Bottled
water should not consider as a sustainable alternative to tap water. Beside the
quality of tap water should be enhanced and secured to deliver good quality of
drinking water.
Teillet, E., Urbano, C., Cordelle,
S., Schlich, P. (2010). Consumer perception and preference of bottled and tap water.
Journal of Sensory Studies, 25, 463-480.
doi:10.1111/j.1745-459X.2010.00280.x
This study is about public
perception especially tap water and bottled water consumer on the preferred tasted
of particular water. It focuses on sensory perception of water and determines
which tastes are associated with different water samples. The researcher and
the team believe that taste play a main role on choosing water for drinking
purposes. Total Dissolve Solid (TDS) is an important parameter associated with
the taste of water. Prior to the research conduct, all the water must be
dechlorinated in order to remove the residual chlorine (RC) in the water
sample. RC is another parameter can influence the taste of drinking water.
To find the
relationship between sensory perceptions with the taste of water, they chose free-sorting
task methodology to determine sensory perception of drinking water. Free-sorting
is a useful tool to grasp the sensory space of water, but this methodology
cannot be used as a routine procedure as the projection of new samples on the
map needs a new evaluation of the samples already tasted. The gap between
preferences and behavior has been emphasized and tend to prove the influence of
other factors than those linked to sensory perception. Beyond physiological or
habit considerations, information and education could be a way to potentially
change consumer perception, preference and behavior.
Maqbool, A., & Ahmad,
S. B. (2009). Quality comparison of tap water vs. bottled water in the industrial
city of yanbu (saudi arabia). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 159,
1-14. doi:10.1007/s10661-008-0608-8
In contrast to the
study done by Azoulay and friends in 2001, this study found that there is no
significant difference in the quality of tap water and bottled water in the
city of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Maqbool and
friends have conducted a test not focusing on Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ only but also
physical and others chemical contents. Most of the bottled water available in
Yanbu have same quality of tap water except Bottled water brand B-2.
They encourage people
of Yanbu to use tap water instead of bottled water. The reduction of bottled
water consumption can help to reduce the production of plastic bottled. These
practices can greatly save the environment. Ironically, many people drink
bottled water because they are afraid of tap water but then the bottle they
discard will end up in dumping site resulting in more polluted
groundwater. Groundwater is the main water source in Saudi of Arabia.
Doria. M. F. (2006).
Bottled water versus tap water: Understanding consumers’ preferences.
Journal of Water and Health, 04.2, 271. doi:10.2166/wh.2006.008
This paper discusses
some of the reasons why people decide for an option that is often more
expensive and less comfortable than tap water. The selling price of 1.5L
mineral water Cactus is RM0.90, Mesra RM1.00, TopValu RM0.88 and Spritzer
RM2.50. Compare to 1.5L usage of tap water (Lembaga Air Perak) is only cost RM
0.30/m³.
There are 2 main factors
influence the people choices. Dissatisfaction with tap water organoleptics
(especially taste) and health/risk concerns. Trust in tap water companies also
seems to influence public behaviour. However, many other factors are involved,
including demographic variables and the perceived quality of the water source. An
improved knowledge of the factors that contribute to the use of drinking water
alternatives can contribute to a better understanding of the consumer’s
concerns and behaviours.
In my opinion, the
price, taste, mineral content and sensory perception are the major factors in choosing
drinking water regardless of the demographic of the consumer. For the time
being in Malaysia, people are preferred to consume bottled water because of the
positive perception on bottled water (personal observation). This scenario maybe represents the whole
world as shown by Maqbool et. Al., Teillet et. Al., Ferrier et. Al., and Azoulay
et. Al. The water suppliers have a lot work to do to build up their image as a
public water purveyor as shown by Royal Commision in Saudi Arabia. They have replaced
the whole drinking water network, which was made of asbestos-cemented pipes
with glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes, to avoid any asbestos contaminations.
The financial strength and the support from the government and NGO will help to
increase the quality of tap water in Malaysia. The choice is yours.
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