The Daily Orange"Tap" Into Common Sense, Save A Few Cents
By Janae DeRusso
Posted: 9/9/09, 9:58 PM EST Section: Opinion
Nothing peeves me more than hypocrisy. Financial complaints by students, warranted and unwarranted, ring in my ears as I walk across the Syracuse University campus. The price of a gallon of gas or the price of a movie ticket is a constant cause of strife. When that same student takes a swig from their vending machine-dispensed water bottle, I no longer emphasize.
Disposable water bottles may be the most unnecessary, and wasteful, purchase a college student, or anyone in this cash-strapped economy, can make. Yes, I love the ease of getting a cold water bottle from any vending machine on campus, at any time, for $1.75. I'm even happier when the Schine and Goldstein Dining Halls only charge my SUpercard $1.59 for that same bottle.
Tap water is hardly inconvenient. Maybe you have to plan ahead and grab some from your kitchen sink before you go out. In America, it is just as safe, if not safer, than that nicely-packaged bottled water. A nifty label does not make water any cleaner, my friends. Just because Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston co-starred in "The Break-Up" did not make it a good movie. Advertising departments are important for a reason.
You say, "But what about the chemicals in tap water?" This occurs as you schedule an appointment for your next fake tan and drink your Energy-Infused Cherry Coca-Cola Zero (made that one up, did you get the point?). Yes, there can be chemicals in tap water.
After a four-year study, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concluded that an estimated 25 percent of bottled water is simply, tap water in a bottle. Any U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules regarding the packaging of bottled waters "completely exempt waters that are packaged and sold within the same state, which account for between 60 and 70 percent of all bottled water sold in the United States" according to the Environmental Protection Agency Web site. In fact, city tap water is often subjected to more rigorous and more frequent testing than bottled beverages.
Disposable water bottles may be the most unnecessary, and wasteful, purchase a college student, or anyone in this cash-strapped economy, can make. Yes, I love the ease of getting a cold water bottle from any vending machine on campus, at any time, for $1.75. I'm even happier when the Schine and Goldstein Dining Halls only charge my SUpercard $1.59 for that same bottle.
Tap water is hardly inconvenient. Maybe you have to plan ahead and grab some from your kitchen sink before you go out. In America, it is just as safe, if not safer, than that nicely-packaged bottled water. A nifty label does not make water any cleaner, my friends. Just because Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston co-starred in "The Break-Up" did not make it a good movie. Advertising departments are important for a reason.
You say, "But what about the chemicals in tap water?" This occurs as you schedule an appointment for your next fake tan and drink your Energy-Infused Cherry Coca-Cola Zero (made that one up, did you get the point?). Yes, there can be chemicals in tap water.
After a four-year study, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concluded that an estimated 25 percent of bottled water is simply, tap water in a bottle. Any U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules regarding the packaging of bottled waters "completely exempt waters that are packaged and sold within the same state, which account for between 60 and 70 percent of all bottled water sold in the United States" according to the Environmental Protection Agency Web site. In fact, city tap water is often subjected to more rigorous and more frequent testing than bottled beverages.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 9
Anon
posted 9/10/09 @ 9:22 AM EST
What about those people that purchase a vending machine or "name brand" water bottle one time, and then refill it with tap water?
THB
posted 9/10/09 @ 11:39 PM EST
Don't you mean empathize in the first paragraph instead of emphasize?
Harmen
posted 9/13/09 @ 3:41 PM EST
Absolutely couldn't agree with your stance more. I don't really understand how people rationalize their purchase of bottled water. It's just unfortunate there aren't more water fountains around campus, especially in dorms. (Continued…)
Laura
posted 9/14/09 @ 11:48 AM EST
The best solution for safe water is home filtration, and that is not a solution in college. Filtered water is better for our bodies inside and out. Chemicals in municipal tap water also dry out your hair and skin. (Continued…)
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