The Additional Cost of Bottled Water
Many of us pass on bottled water because we don’t want to contribute to the plastic problem, or we have water filtration systems at home. But some of us are still reliant on supermarket bottled waters because we are aware enough to not want to drink the nasties that are coming through the town’s water supply and think, hey, no problem the bottles can be recycled.
Absolutely the best choice for ourselves and our families….right?
Aside from the fact that much of our recycling doesn't end up recycled, it ends up in the landfill, there is another consequence to consider.
Before you next visit the bottled water section of your supermarket, consider this additional cost of your bottled water purchase.
Today I saw first-hand another dirty aspect of the bottled water paradigm. I was on a magnificent property…. Mother Earth at her finest…. except the creek had been running dry. Not only because there has been a shortage of rain and heavy agricultural consumption in the area, but also because of the activity upstream.
Water mining.
My friend, whose natural instinct is to live in harmony with the land, filled me in briefly on the situation… truckloads of water being hauled off the mountain every week, depleting the water table. The direct downstream effect for him and the wildlife in his area is a lack or complete depletion of their water source.
Prior to this, I had a general awareness of the water mining issue as I’ve had multiple conversations recently in which the topic was forefront.
One conversation took place with a water expert sharing his insights into the plight of the Great Artesian Basin. From his perspective, things are not looking good in the long run, despite its “sustainable” management plan.
Another recent conversation was from the perspective of a beautiful, health-conscious man whom I consider a community pillar. He has a small operation providing sustainably managed bore water from his land in reusable 15 litre bottles to those who require quality drinking water. Before sold, the water goes through a revitalization process. Many, including myself, have always seen his business as a much-needed service to the community.
Another conversation took place with an individual considering obtaining a permit to bottle water from his bore. His point of view was that the water stays within the water cycle and the water table would most definitely be replenished.
So this all prompted a look into the situation occurring at this magnificent land I communed with today.
The eye-opener is quite short…
130 million litres of water per year are pumped (government permitted) from this small area and sold to bottlers including Coca Cola.
Approximately 9 months ago, the local school’s 50 metre bore went dry. Not once before had it run out of water.
Here's the kicker... the government's solution was to purchase water from Coca Cola and truck it back up the mountain to supply the school. Water that came from the community and would have been in the school's bore in the first place.
Something's amiss.
LET’S RETHINK OUR WATER.
Article: Queensland Schools Run out of Water as Commercial Bottlers Harvest Local Supplies
-ZJM