Recognizing the importance of water for human survival, it is widely accepted that water plays a crucial role in maintaining our bodily functions. The World Health Organization has emphasized global concerns regarding the accessibility and safety of clean drinking water. Consumption of water containing dangerous elements such as infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiation can lead to severe health issues. Therefore, implementing methods of water treatment and purification as preventative measures to protect our health and well-being is now considered essential.
Over the past decade, Filipinos have seen a notable change in their water consumption habits. In the past, tap water was relied upon for drinking purposes due to its safety. However, in recent times, there has been an increase in the preference for purchasing and consuming bottled water. This shift has resulted in a growth of filtered/purified water businesses. Despite these developments, certain queries still remain unanswered: Is bottled water perceived as safer than tap water? How much are individuals willing to invest in bottled drinking water? Moreover, has bottled drinking water become a regular part of their daily hydration routine?
This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the purchase of bottled water, going beyond its health advantages. It will examine people’s perspectives on the cost, health benefits, and lifestyle implications of consuming bottled water. The specific focus of this study is to understand how BU Freshmen students perceive drinking water from bottles. The researchers aim to determine if individuals believe that bottled water is safer in terms of health benefits compared to tap water.
The study aims to assess people’s awareness of the health benefits of different types of bottled water and their consumption patterns based on lifestyle and location. It also seeks to analyze how price and branding impact people’s choice. Specifically, this study focuses on Bicol University Freshmen students’ habits regarding bottled drinking water and tap water, excluding other levels within the university and other schools or institutions. Identifying these factors is crucial in understanding what drives people’s preference for bottled water.
This study will provide benefits to various groups. The Students will gain further insight into the water they consume and the precautions they should take. The Researchers will obtain answers to determine the safest source of drinking water. The Future Researchers can use this study as a guide for their own research, gaining pointers and ideas on formulating relevant problems and conducting fruitful discoveries.
Drinking water is a fundamental necessity for humans, constituting 80% of the human body. The researcher aims to explore the primary sources of drinking water, its impact on human lifestyle, and analyze existing literature and studies to draw a comprehensive conclusion. The study will also define key terms, such as tap water (running water, city water, municipal water, etc.), which refers to potable water supplied to a tap inside households or workplaces.
“Outdoor plumbing” relies on bottled water, which is drinking water packaged and sold in bottles, usually sourced from a natural spring. Bottled water comes in various forms, including spring water derived from an underground source where it naturally surfaces. For the designation of spring water, direct collection from the spring or through a borehole connected to the underground source supplying the spring is required.
Mineral Water is characterized by its consistent level and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements upon source extraction, with a minimum total dissolved solids content of 250 parts per million and no added minerals. Sparkling Water, also known as sparkling water, fizzy water, and seltzer, is essentially plain water infused with carbon dioxide gas. This ingredient holds great significance in various soft drinks.
Carbonation is the dissolving of carbon dioxide gas.
In his related literatures, Sam Tsiryulnikov from Los Angeles, CA, expresses concerns about tap water safety. However, generally it is agreed that tap water is usually safe to drink.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has tested both municipal water supplies and bottled water. According to their findings, tap water is considered safe for consumption.
According to the NRDC, tap water is generally safe for adults without special health conditions and who are not pregnant. The contaminants found in public water supplies are usually at low levels, so a high intake is needed for health problems to occur. However, certain groups such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable to the risks of contaminated water.
According to the group, individuals at risk should obtain and consult their city’s annual water quality report as required by law. They should also consult their doctor. It is important to note that despite the attractive images on packaging, 25 to 30 percent of bottled water actually comes from municipal tap water systems. While some of this water goes through additional filtration, not all of it does. Extensive research conducted by the NRDC has shown that bottled water undergoes less rigorous testing and purity standards compared to tap water provided by cities. Bottled water is subjected to fewer tests for bacteria and chemical contaminants in accordance with U.S. regulations.
The regulations set by the FDA for bottled water allow a certain level of contamination from E. coli or fecal coliform, which contradicts the EPA’s guidelines that prohibit such contamination in tap water. Furthermore, according to the NRDC, disinfection or testing for parasites like cryptosporidium or giardia is not mandatory for bottled water, unlike the stricter EPA regulations for tap water. These inconsistencies raise concerns expressed by the NRDC that individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and others who are advised against drinking tap water may face similar health risks from specific types of bottled water.
The Department of Health (DOH) reports that there is a dangerous cholera epidemic in the Bicol Region. Health officials have declared an epidemic due to the surge in cholera cases. According to the Philippine Information Agency, there were 3,158 individuals affected by cholera and 30 deaths during the first half of 2012 in comparison to only 445 cases and 4 deaths during the same period in 2011.
The DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has reported a severe outbreak of cholera in Catanduanes province. According to their data, there have been 1,831 cases of cholera recorded in the province, resulting in 14 deaths. Cholera outbreaks are caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, specifically serogroups O1 and O139. These bacteria are usually acquired through consuming contaminated water or food. Water contamination occurs when infected individuals excrete feces into it, whether at the water source, during transportation, or even during storage at home.
The decision to opt for bottled water rather than tap water is often driven by convenience. Many individuals find that the taste of water from their refrigerator surpasses that of bottled water, with some even claiming to detect a plastic flavor in the latter. According to Chris Baskind (Mother Nature Network 2010), there are five primary reasons why choosing bottled water is not advisable. Firstly, it lacks good value. Secondly, it offers no health benefits over tap water. Thirdly, consuming bottled water contributes to increased waste production. Fourthly, dependence on bottled water can lead to neglecting public water systems. Lastly, the privatization of water is a cause for concern.
Although Jennifer Aniston has endorsed Smartwater, many people believe that choosing bottled water over tap water is healthier. However, studies have shown that this belief is unfounded as bottled water may actually contain more impurities than tap water. Therefore, it is unwise to opt for bottled water. Tap water should be preferred for two reasons: the strict regulations governing its quality and the regular testing conducted to identify E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria.
According to the Earth Policy Institute (EPI), regulations for tap water and bottled water vary. Tap water must undergo monthly testing for coliform bacteria at least 100 times, while bottled water companies only need to test once a week. The EPI also reports that globally, approximately 2.7 million tons of petroleum-based plastic are used each year in the production of bottled water. Emily Arnold, a researcher at EPI, highlights that manufacturing these bottles necessitates more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually – equivalent to fueling around 100,000 cars in the United States for one year.
The Container Recycling Institute states that 86 percent of plastic water bottles in the U.S. are not recycled and instead end up as garbage or litter. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered that bottled water is significantly more expensive than tap water, with costs reaching up to 1,900 times higher. Additionally, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that over 90 percent of consumers’ expenses on bottled water primarily go towards bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, and profits rather than the actual water.
Although tap water is deemed safe for human consumption, it still contains various types of bacteria such as iron bacteria, sulfur bacteria, and coliform bacteria. These specific groups of bacteria are frequently found in tap water. This information is supported by eHow.com and emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which underscores the crucial role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in relation to overall health and disease prevention (13).
Various diseases are linked to water, including those caused by microorganisms and chemicals in drinking water. Additionally, diseases like schistosomiasis have a stage in their life cycle that occurs in water. Furthermore, water-related vectors can transmit diseases such as malaria. Lastly, aerosols containing specific microorganisms can carry legionellosis.
