Bottle vs. tap--the debate is fluid
Hardly a moment goes by that you don't see someone toting a water bottle for a cool drink. Bottled water is a $15-billion industry in America with more than 8 billion gallons of the stuff consumed annually. Millions of people swear by bottled water and happily choose from dozens of different brands. There's spring water, purified water, mineral water, sparkling water, artesian water and even well water. There are plain bottles and fancy bottles, short ones and tall ones.

Other countries are guzzle-happy, too. Italians, in fact, consume almost twice as much bottled water per capita as Americans. But many foreign countries have municipal systems that are less reliable than ours. For them, bottled water is a necessity. Here in the U.S., opponents of bottled water say local supplies are safe, so why spend extra money on essentially the same product that comes out of the faucet?

The debate is fluid. What do you think?

Granted, bottled water must meet Food and Drug Administration guidelines, but the potable supply from your local water district has a regulatory umbrella as well. For many consumers it boils down to a matter of taste. Tap water contains chlorine, which offends certain taste buds, but it may also have fluoride, which is a proven cavity fighter in the defense of young teeth from toddlerhood on. Home tap water also may contain contaminants from pipes.

You'll have to do your homework before deciding whether bottled water is indeed better, and, if so, is it worth the cost. For many, bottled water is all about the convenience. We're a nation on the go and you have to admit, bottled water does make life easier.

The manufacturing of bottled water takes energy and creates pollution. If you're not a fan of the tap, at least remember to reuse the bottles and put them in the recycling bin when you're done. Or avoid bottles altogether and try using a portable purifier. Keep your supplies stored in a large jug or pitcher in the refrigerator.

Drink and be merry, but whichever way you lean in the bottled versus tap debate, be a considerate consumer. Nobody likes waste and litter.