You’ve probably heard the story by now that bottled water is adding to the environmental threat to the world. The number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills on a daily basis is surprising and demonstrates that most are not being recycled.

The power used to create plastic bottles, transport them to their destination, and the fact that most of the water is just filtered faucet water are all reasons why you might buy a water filter for your personal use. Creating your own “bottled” water will save you money and help support the earth.

One of the most popular brands is Brita water filters. They are made in various types and sizes, can be hooked straight on your sink, or come as part of a water holding tank system that you sed in your refrigerator. I personally use the brita riviera water pitcher, because I like having chilled water available 24 hours a day as this pitcher sits nicely in the refrigerator. However, all types works well.

Water filters will remove impurities and chlorine and make your water taste equally as good as most bottled brands . This makes it a great choice for you and your family.

Along with making great tasting drinks available to you and your family 24/7, using a filter can save you a lot of money. On average, faucet water costs cents on the dollar compared to buying bottled.

Faucet water might also be healthier than some bottled water, as there are not as many laws in place covering bottled water regulation as there are for faucet water laid down by city municipalities. Therefore, it could be argued, that filtering your own water in the house is technically healthier for you than bottled anyway, and definitely better for the environment.

If you purchase a refillable water bottle you will also have access to filtered water when on the road or at work - situations where you typically drink the bottled variety. You can find reusable bottles most places you shop and they come in a variety of sizes and materials, from stainless steel to plastic and glass. Buying one for everyone in your family will enable them to have their own bottled water with them wherever they are going.

Investing in water filters for your home is a sensible and “green” choice to make for your entire family and the planet in general. You get the same or improved quality of water, save some hard earned dollars, and help improve the environment.

Tags: bottled water, Brita, saving money, water filters

A study and testing by the Environmental Working Group:

Bottled Water Quality Investigation: 10 Major Brands, 38 Pollutants | Environmental Working Group

Has found numerous and some very nasty contaminants in the bottled water found in many stores.

The study appears to have targeted and be the most critical of generic label water sold by Walmart and Giant Grocery stores. At least in the executive summary.

I did not see anything in there about distilled bottled water which is what I always bought when I used to buy about 10 gallons per week for drinking water.

Tags: Bottled Drinking Water, polluted water

Soda water, or carbonated water, is plain water to which carbon dioxide gas has been added; it is also called **LINK“sparkling water”LINKENDS** by many people. It is the number one ingredient of most “soft drinks.”. Carbonic acid results from the process of carbonation, and is better known to us as soda pop.

Soda water, which is also referred to as club soda, was produced in the past in the home by using a seltzer bottle filled with water and “charged” with carbon dioxide. Club soda may be virtually the same as plain carbonated water; however, a small amount of table salts and/or sodium trace minerals may be present. These additives could possibly make the taste of home made **LINKsoda waterLINKENDS*** a bit salty. This process also occurs naturally in some areas, and produces carbonated mineral water.

In some cases, a little dental decay might be caused by sparkling mineral water. Potential dental problems with sparkling water are admittedly greater than normal water, but only slightly so. Drinkers of regular soft drinks risk a higher rate of tooth decay compared to drinking sparkling water. The rate is so low it suggests that carbonation of drinks may not be a significant factor in causing dental decay.

Water coming from the ground, usually from artesian wells, is often filtered among layers of minerals; these layers contain various carbonates; the water absorbs carbon dioxide gas released by the carbonates. The resulting water is called natural sparkling water. Shoud the water also pick up enough different minerals to add a flavor to the water it becomes sparkling mineral water.

Basically, soda water is just water and carbon dioxide. Sparkling mineral water is a carbonation which is naturally-occurring. In 1794, a jeweler invented a device to produce an artificial carbonated mineral water.

In a taste test of several carbonated drinks, it was determined that Perrier, a sparkling natural mineral water, kept its fizz the longest.

For consumers who believe seltzer to be a bit harsh, club soda offers a more gentle fizz. In the taste test that was conducted, club soda was judged to be milder, and a little sweeter tasting, than standard carbonated water.

If you are counting calories, be aware that club soda, sparkling mineral water, seltzer, and carbonated water have none; they are a great dieter’s choice over soda pop and tonic water.

Mixing water, sugar, carbon dioxide and quinine produces a carbonated drink called tonic water. Originally, to help cure or prevent malaria, quinine was added to tonic water. Today it is often used as a mixer with gin and lemon or lime for an alcoholic drink.

These basic facts and terms help us have a clearer understanding of soda water.

Tags: soda water