The global consumption of bottled water reached 154 billion liters (41 billion gallons) in 2004, up 57% from the 98 billion liters consumed five years earlier.
Even in areas where tap water is safe to drink, demand for bottled water is increasing — producing unnecessary garbage and consuming vast quantities of energy.
Although bottled water in the industrial world is often no healthier than tap water, it can cost up to 10,000 times more. At as much as $2.50 per liter ($10 per gallon), bottled water costs more than gasoline.
The United States is the world's leading consumer of bottled water, with Americans drinking 26 billion liters in 2004, or approximately one eight-ounce glass per person every day.
http://www.globalenvision.org/library/1/1015/1/
Posted by Dave at April 19, 2006 09:33 AM