Spare Change

Moron Water for Drips

Posted by Bryan

I'm sorry...I meant to type "More on Water" since I blogged about this a little while ago.

Pepsi has joined Coke in 'fessing that they simply refilter the already filtered and much less expensive public water supply, repackage it in convenient plastic bottles and sell it at exorbitant prices under the brand of Aquafina (Coke's brand is Dasani).

I'm a little rusty with my Latin, but I'm pretty sure "Aquafina" means "Fool's Water."

I admit, I just paid $6.50 for two 20-ounce Dasanis at the Rockies game the other day.

No, I was not happy about it (but my "grumpy old man rant about ballpark prices" is another blog entry altogether).

But I did it, rather than cupping my hands at the bathroom spicket.

The Aquafina site boasts its Hydro-7 process of filtration, which at first glance causes one to think, "hmm...impressive work," leading one to assume that the bottled product starts as murky brown groundwater laced with filth and poisons. Once you (or the generic "one," for that matter) realize that the beginning product is already a city water supply that has been treated, filtered and inspected, the 7-step claim sounds a bit more like Dr. Magillicuddy's Magic
Hydro Elixer for All Thirst-Related Ailments.

Seriously. They boast that, in step 3, they blast the water with "high intensity light" to impart energy to it, and in step 7....well, read for yourself (click for the bigger pic)

Bottled water is a convenience, an expensive one at that. If a label matters that much too you, then pay the ransom for a single bottle, and refill it from the tap. Don't worry, they're not leeking poisons as they degrade from re-use. I would, however, recommend, periodic washing of said bottles, just in the name of sanitation.

Better yet, you could just go buy a stainless steel canteen and be on the uber-edge of green self-hydration.

July 30, 2007 4:48 PM | TrackBack