The human body consists of approximately 70% water, and it is crucial that we maintain that balance so that our bodies can function at their best. Water is required by every single cell in the body; it keeps the blood liquid enough to flow through the veins carrying nutrients and oxygen throughout the body; lubricates the mucous membranes; lubricates and cushions the joints; allows the kidney to filter out toxins and performs many other functions.
Unfortunately the quality of our drinking water in many parts of the worked has declined so much that it is not pleasant to drink anymore. Some of the governments also add fluoride to the drinking water in the mistaken notion that it is good for us because it helps stop cavities; the problem is that it is not good for our bones and various other organs.
This has led to an explosion of companies creating various products to take the place of tap water; markedly various types of bottled water, including some very dubious brands. Drinking bottled water has become as much of a fad as the latest fashion items and water companies have cashed in on it.
According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, the bottled water market increases by between 10% and 12% annually and the per capita increase rose from 12.6 litres to in excess of 21 litres in 2002.
While the fastest growth has been in the United States, Asia, and Europe, the biggest consumers of bottled water were historically the North Americans. This seems to be changing now though, with the Chinese fast becoming avid bottled water drinkers, and the bottled water companies are taking note of this growth and trying to capitalise on the trend.
China has doubled its share of the bottled water market in the past 7 years, and although the per capita consumption is less than in other countries, the population of China, at more than 1 billion means that it has now overtaken most other countries in total consumption, and this is a fertile future market for bottled water companies.
Popularity of bottled water in the UK is still on the rise, and the advent of the Olympics in 2012 encouraged this trend. This trend is set to continue as Brits become more health-conscious and switch to bottled water.
The sparkling bottled water market is the biggest in Europe, taking a massive 75% of the world market. In 2013 the global bottled water market was one of the fastest expanding industries and it is predicted that it will grow to around $70bn (about £40bn) in value by 2017.
One thing that really frightens this writer though is when a company seems to think that water is not a universal right, as espoused by Nestlé at the 2000 World Water Forum held in the Netherlands, where Chairman of the Board, Peter Brabeck lobbied to stop water from being declared a universal right. According to him, “The one opinion, which I think is extreme, is represented by the NGOs, who bang on about declaring water a public right. That means as a human being you should have a right to water. That’s an extreme solution.â€
It is frightening that a corporate entity presumes to take control of a natural resource that human beings cannot live without, drinking water. Unfortunately the government officials present failed the public by taking the side of big corporations and not the public, and water was declared a ‘need’ and not a ‘right’ which leaves it open to abuse by big corporations. [Source: Urban Times]
Water is the new gold, and huge conglomerates like Nestlé are the modern-day pirates that are exploiting global water resources across the globe. In some areas they are bottling water by the millions of litres ever day while nearby towns are restricted in their water-usage due to water shortages. Where this is done in countries like Pakistan, Ethiopia and Nigeria, where there is no potable drinking water, this should be declared a crime.
If you do not have access to potable tap water or even if you don’t drink the tap water because it does not taste that good, instead of spending tons of money on bottled water, rather consider investing in a water cooler. Water coolers offer chilled, fresh, clear, and great tasting water virtually 24/7 and are far cheaper, more eco-friendly and more ethical than bottled water.
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Buy water cooler online and hire water dispenser from Living-Water.
