Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day

Posted in:

Illinois

* The setup…

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says preliminary results from tests show the state’s drinking water is safe.

Officials took samples from across Illinois in March to test for unregulated pharmaceuticals or personal care products. […]

Officials say they tested for 57 chemicals. Seventeen chemicals were detected at low levels.

But the EPA says there is no cause for immediate concern.

* The question: Do you typically drink tap water or bottled water? Why?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:18 am

Comments

Ice mountain delivers to home, but about to cancel that as I feel it is unnecessary. Chemicals in the H2O will only make me more invulnerable

Comment by Wumpus Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:20 am
bottled water. Not because I have a problem with tap water, its just I usually get it when I am out somewhere so I grab a bottle of water instead of getting soda.

Comment by Ghost Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:21 am
Tapwater = It’s at the core of guv’s free prescription medicine program and I don’t want to miss out.

Comment by A Citizen Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:25 am
I have a Dasani water bottle that I have refilled with tap water for the last 3 months. Maybe my tastebuds are not as sensitive as others, but I have a hard time believing that there is any difference in the taste or quality of Southern Illinois tap water vs. bottled water.

This question always reminds me of the episode of Penn and Tellers show, where they open up a “high priced water bar” in Los Angelas. They filled each glass out of the same garden hose and told people that the water from all different parts of the world…and people bought it!

People were even saying that the different waters had “boldness” or a “more refined” taste. He think the price of gas is high, its nothing compared to what we pay for 20 oz of water!

Comment by Speaking At Will Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:28 am
tTap. And I love that much of the bottle water companies have to admit the “public water source” on the labels now.

Comment by Learning the Ropes Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:34 am
I drink both but I’ve always drinked tap water. Bottled water is good for me on the go. Also I like to take tap water and put it in the refrigerator for additional cooling. Sometimes bottled water is good when you hear that the tap water supply might have some chemicals and bacteria in it.

Comment by Levois Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:36 am
Tap water because I need to change the filter in my fridge. I have no faith at all that water that comes in bottles isn’t out of someone’s tap somewhere else in the country and resold at a tremendous profit.

Those filters you can put on your faucet are kinda nifty, though. Still, it cracks me up when I’m out and actually PAY a dollar or more for 20oz. of water.

Comment by Amuzing Myself Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:38 am
I drink Chicago tap water because it’s less expensive than bottled water, and I have more of a guarantee that it’s healthy.

Comment by Squideshi Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:40 am
We use one of those Britta water filters for our tap water, but I have no problem drinking straight from the tap when the pitcher is empty. It is mainly a taste thing. Whether or not there is a real taste difference or it is all in my head is up for debate.

Comment by montrose Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:43 am
Reverse osmosis filter system only: cancer physician running friends all demand it for their families. Good enough reason for me.

Comment by North of I-80 Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:44 am
Tap water - Chicago water is safe and tastes good too. I understand there may be some localities where it makes sense to drink bottled water. Generally, I think bottled water is a rip-off - a want created by marketing rather than a genuine need. I do purchase an occasional ice cold bottled water on hot day way when tap water is not readily available.

Comment by Captain America Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:45 am
Tap water run through a Britta. I drink a lot ot water and buying water bottles would cost me a fortune.

Comment by Bluefish Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:55 am
I actually drink bottled water only. But for me, it’s purely a taste issue. I grew up in the country on well water, and city tap water in Springfield tastes very “chemically” to me.

Comment by Miranda Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:55 am
Tap water, because it’s been working for the last 50 + years.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Friday, May 23, 08 @ 10:59 am
We buy a case of water about every 3-4 years. We keep the bottles and refill with tap water. I’ve got a few unopened bottles of water for the anals who may visit and think they have to have bottled water. But I hate to put those empty bottles in the landfill when what I get from my tap is just as good, if not better, than what comes out of a bottle.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:08 am
Bottled water sold in Chicago, since the tax revenue will help the children. Especially the underprivileged Latin School students who were robbed of their unalienable right to play soccer in Lincoln Park.

Comment by The Doc Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:08 am
I pump my water straight out of the ground and into my glass. Nothing like “natural” “raw” “organic” water!

Comment by What planet is he from again? Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:15 am
No flouride in bottled water. Dentists love bottled water drinkers.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:26 am
Whatever is most convenient. As long as it does not smell bad, taste bad, or look bad, I drink it.

Comment by Jaded Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:29 am
Unlike Africa, we aren’t dying off because of bad water. We have it good here. Our water testing is sufficient.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:41 am
Britta pitcher with a filter for my tap water. Tastes much better!

Comment by Poor girl Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:44 am
I drink tap water, but we have a well that taps into an aquifer. The water has tested clean. Perhaps it is “clean” because the tests available to me aren’t as good, or perhaps it really is clean. But the water is clear and tastes great.

When I’m in the city, I drink bottled water. I agree with Miranda - I can’t stand that chemical taste of the chlorine and whatever else is added.

As to the purported benefits of those additives, my dad is nearly 90 and has lived on well water most of his life. He still has all of his teeth. My teeth are in good shape also. I’ll take clean well water over city water any day, and I’ll take my chances.

Comment by The Cowgirl Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:46 am
I drink tap water. Why payfor something twice? I’m really hoping EPA used sounder science in testing the drinking water than Al Gore did for global warming!

Comment by Belle Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:54 am
Little Egypt,

I think you just proved GB’s point about Madigan being the wall between Illinois and progress.

Comment by problem Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:59 am
Tap,
I can find much better beverages to spend money on.

Comment by OneMan Friday, May 23, 08 @ 11:59 am
Tap water from the blessed bounty of the Great Lakes.

Bottled water is a brilliant scam that I only wish I would have thought of first.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:04 pm
Pollution is unfortuantely a fact of modern life, and water (the foundation of life) is no exception. All we can do is pray the filtering process is effective. So, I drink both. The way I figure it, if I’m going to die from some weird cancer caused by my tap water, there’ll be a few million other Illinoisians dying with me.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:08 pm
I drink tap water, but I give my dog bottled water.

Comment by taxmandan Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:08 pm
I only drink bottled water. Do you know what they put in tap water? Flouride! And do you know who started this nefarious plot? The communists. I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.

Comment by General Jack D. Ripper Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:14 pm
The real General Jack D. Ripper only drank rainwater. The above poster is obviously an impostor.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:22 pm
Both. Tap water is filtered and used primarily for cooking, tea, and coffee where it’s boiled or brought to near-boiling first. Bottled for cold drinks.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:25 pm
About half & half. I have a filter under the sink that should be replaced, but am having a hard time finding one (came from Watkins Products - any suggestions?). We do fill the dog’s bowl from the filtered tap when we remember to (which Im sure she appreciates, but she hasn’t said anything), and it feeds my ice maker in the fridge. We also keep bottles cold in two sizes for drinking around the house and taking with when we leave to go somewhere.

I’ve never noticed a significant taste difference, it’s more of a convenience thing.

As an aside, while everyone gripes about gas prices, I haven’t heard may complaints over paying $1.40 for 17oz of water (that probably came from a tap somewhere…)

Comment by BehindTheScenes Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:25 pm
I drink tap water but I keep it in my glass vodka bottle…keeps my co-workers from asking too many questions.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:36 pm
We also use tap water when boiling something but not in tea and coffee makers. The water system in our town is old and too often have water main breaks and/or boil orders so we have a water cooler. We’ve had boil orders lasting almost a month.

Comment by Chanson Friday, May 23, 08 @ 12:39 pm
Use the 3 stage faucet filter for taste, with coffee, tea, and such. Have the britta pitcher in the ice box. But I don’t have a problem with straight tap water when needed.

I don’t buy bottled water for home use, just an unnecessary expense.

Comment by Coffee drinker Friday, May 23, 08 @ 1:33 pm
Do you know what fish do in water?! I stick with gin.

Comment by phocion Friday, May 23, 08 @ 1:59 pm
I like to drink from the water fountains in city hall so I don’t have to pay the 5cent bottle water tax!

Comment by clj Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:11 pm
Would love to drink tap water, but the water that comes out of my pipes tastes like sewage. I’ve tried to double and triple filter it but, alas, no difference. Not sure if I should blame the city or my landlord for that - whoever it is, I should send them my bottled water bill… esp now that I’m getting taxed extra on it.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:12 pm
Mostly tap - but I periodically buy bottled and then keep refilling them. When I do buy bottled, I only buy brands that specify spring water just because it makes me feel better knowing I’m not paying for someone else to put tap water in the bottle.

Comment by cynically anonymous Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:14 pm
Drink tap out of a 1/2 gallon Gatorade bottle so I can get my fair share of degenerating plastic.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:15 pm
Q: Do you typically drink tap water or bottled water?

A: This is a false dichotomy because the vast majority of bottled water is just tap water from another locality. In answer to your question, the vast majority of my H2O is tap water from a refilled Aquafina bottle. My wife bought a case of bottled water months ago and we’ve been reusing the bottles ever since.

If the bottle is going to be filled with tap, it might as well be from my own tap.

– SCAM
so-called “Austin Mayor”
http://austinmayor.blogspot.com

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:29 pm
I drink tap water. Some places its through a reverse osmosis system some it’s straight from the tap.

BTW I wonder how many bottled water drinkers realize they are paying over $6.00 a gallon for water(asumming $1 for a 20 oz bottle)

Comment by 618er Friday, May 23, 08 @ 2:53 pm
Our Village Engineer frequently lectures on the reasons why tap water is better than bottled. In addition to qualitative reasons, bottled water causes more trash to find its way into land fills if bottles are not recycled. Gasoline costs and resulting pollution to transport heavy bottles of water are also a comparative disadvantage.

Comment by One of the 35 Friday, May 23, 08 @ 3:05 pm
Mayor -

I drink RO water for coffee because my wife gets to the pot before me. I buy bottled water when I am traveling. We got the RO filter because where I live the water is very hard.

The consumer thought is that bottled water is “better” than tap water. Unfortunately, for the consumer, bottled water does not have to follow the same laws and regulations as municipal water supplies.

Regarding the EPA testing, if you look at the results that were published in the newspapers, the units that were reported were in parts per trillion. To give you a feeling for this magnitude - There is 1 trillion pennies in 10 billion dollars.

Parts per trillion is a unit of measurement that is meaningless. All it means is that scientists have invented a more sensitive device. I will worry when the reported results are in parts per million.

Comment by Huh? Friday, May 23, 08 @ 3:08 pm
tap water, usually from St. Louis, Milwaukee or Denver that’s had hopps and yeast added and gone through the fermentation process.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, May 23, 08 @ 3:20 pm
I drink tap water at my home. Why? Because I am a Republican and cheap. It has nothing to do with health issues or concerns but rather it has to do with simply being tight with my money. My wife and I live out on a farm in the country so we have our own well for our source of water. I haven’t died from drinking it after 60 years so I might as well keep drinking it. I do take a sample of water from the well and have it checked for bacteria at our county health department every couple of years though just to play it safe.

Comment by Mad Max Saturday, May 24, 08 @ 7:05 am