non-renewable resource

Most of all, people generally have no idea where their water comes from. Municipalities generally get their
water from surface water sources; companies that that do not get their water from municipalities get their
water from below-ground sources. While all bottled water is not alike, the rate at which water is currently
being extracted makes water a potentially non-renewable resource.
Tere are many different types of bottled water. T ese differences are based on the source of the water and
types of treatments the water may receive.
Te types of bottled water listed below often come from municipal sources.
• Purifi ed water, which is often distilled, deionized, or filtered (reverse osmosis), removing many of the
contaminants that may exist.
• Sparkling water, which is water that has been treated and then has had co2
added to it.
Bottled water not coming from above ground municipal sources includes:
• Spring water, which comes from the surface release of an underground aquifer.
• Well water, which comes from an aquifer into which a well has been drilled and water is mechanically
pumped to the surface.
• Artesian water, which comes from a confined aquifer between impervious layers of rock from which the
water flows naturally to the surface.
• Mineral water, which contains naturally occurring dissolved solids (> parts per million, or ppm).
Many corporations, such as Perrier, have invested greatly in getting the highest quality water, usually looking
for “artesian” wells from which to draw. Many scientists believe that there are indirect costs associated with
the production and consumption of bottled water. Te biggest issue is overuse of the aquifer, leading to
reduced stream flow and habitat reduction in aquatic ecosystems. Perrier, for example, wanted to pump 
gallons/minute over a -year period (about one cubic mile of water) from one Wisconsin aquifer—estimated
to reduce local stream flow about . Tis water, once removed and transported around the country, is lost
to the local water cycle.
Aquifer recharge rates vary greatly, depending upon annual rainfall and the type of rock water must percolate
through. But since this is an open system—water is being transported out of the aquifer—water becomes a
locally non-renewable resource if the withdrawal rate exceeds the rate of recharge.
Questions
. How can we make society more aware of the environmental problems associated with bottled water?
. What will be the future impact on the environment if we continue to use bottled water like we do today?
. Is bottled water better or healthier for you than tap water? Are there times when bottled water is
essential? Are there times when it is not?
. List three ways you can help solve the environmental problems caused by water bottles.