Sales of bottled water are booming around the globe, and in some countries sales are increasing annually by up to 10 per cent. According to the World Wildlife Fund, it's the fastest-growing beverage sector in the world.

Global bottled water market

Top Bottled Water Consuming Countries and Compound Annual Growth Rates, 1999-2004
		Millions of Litres		Compound Annual Growth Rates
2004 Rank	Countries	1999	2004	1999/04
1	United States	17,336.8	25,766.1	8.2%
2	Mexico	11,571.6	17,671.4	8.8%
3	China	4,606.8	11,886.6	20.9%
4	Brazil	5,654.6	11,590.9	15.4%
5	Italy	8,918.8	10,653.7	3.6%
6	Germany	8,307.5	10,306.2	4.4%
7	France	6,942.8	8,544.8	4.2%
8	Indonesia	3,433.7	7,356.9	16.5%
9	Spain	4,074.6	5,502.1	6.2%
10	India	1,680.7	5,122.8	25.0%
	Top 10 Subtotal	72,527.7	114,401.2	9.5%
	All other countries	25,867.6	39,879.3	9.0%
	TOTAL	98,395.3	154,280.5	9.4%
Source: Beverage Marketing Corporation

The International Council of Bottled Water Associations says 545,670,000 litres of bottled water were consumed from 2000 to 2003 with a combined production value of $149,022,000 US.

• Global Bottled Water Statistics (2000-2003)

Scientific studies have yet to indicate that bottled water is healthier for you than tap water.

Industry observers say advertising by bottled water companies gives consumers the impression their product is safer and healthier than tap water. Municipal water, however, is more stringently tested.

In Canada, local water supplies are inspected every day, whereas bottled-water plants are inspected at three-year intervals.

Critics of the bottled water industry note that most brands of bottled water do not include fluoride in their product.

The fluoride debate

In December 2005, the Canadian Dental Association said that between 2000 and 2005 it had received anecdotal reports of a correlation between increased cavity decay and consumption of bottled water. The International Council of Bottled Water Associations insists there is no correlation and further says that too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis — discolouration of the teeth.

Oral hygiene experts say fluoridated water can reduce decay by as much as 15 per cent, and the Center For Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga., describes the fluoridation of water as one of the 10 most successful public health initiatives. Most tap water is fluoridated, whereas bottle water is often not; the more people consume bottled water the less fluoride they ingest.

Some believe that fluoride is only important for children, but dental professionals say adults still need fluoride protection. Although some bottlers are now adding it to their product, the levels are inadequate.

Premium price for tap water

Two of the largest bottled water sellers, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, use municipal water.

The unprecedented demand for their products increases demand for public water, which they purchase at a substantially lower price than households are asked to pay.

Experts speculate that if the trend for bottled water consumption continues, it could lead to the privatization of municipal water supplies.

In August 2006, the United Church of Canada tabled a motion at its general council meeting to ask members to stop buying bottled water as a protest against the privatization of water supplies.

What makes one brand different from another?

Bottled water can come from any source. Here's a quick reference guide.

Mineral and spring water

This must come from an underground source (not a public water supply) and can't be altered with chemicals. Mineral water has a higher amount of dissolved mineral salts.

Bottled water

This can be water from any source, distilled, carbonated or treated in any manner. Dasani (owned by Coca-Cola) is filtered municipal tap water, bottled in Brampton, Ont., and Calgary. (Pepsi owns Aquafina, which is also sourced from municipalities.)

Artesian water/Artesian well water

Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand).

Sparkling water

Water that has been carbonated. Soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters.

Glacial water

Water from a source directly from a glacier.

Natural water

Water(such as spring, mineral, artesian or well water) obtained from an approved underground source and not from a municipal or public water-supply system. This water is untreated other than by filtration.

Purified water

Water produced by distillation, de-ionization or reverse osmosis, which contains not more than 10 mg/L of total dissolved solids.

Global bottled water market

Per Capita Consumption by Top Bottled Water Consuming Countries, 1999-2004
2004		Litres Per Capita
Rank	Countries	1999	2004
1	Italy	154.82	183.6
2	Mexico	117	168.5
3	United Arab Emirates	109.7	163.5
4	Belgium-Luxembourg	121.9	148
5	France	117.3	141.6
6	Spain	101.8	136.6
7	Germany	100.7	124.9
8	Lebanon	67.7	101.4
9	Switzerland	90.1	99.56
10	Cyprus	67.4	91.9
11	United States	63.6	90.5
12	Saudi Arabia	75.3	87.8
13	Czech Republic	62.1	87.1
14	Austria	74.5	82.1
15	Portugal	70.4	80.3
	Global Average	16.27	24.2
Source: Beverage Marketing Corporation

What's in the water?

How to store bottled water

You can store large quantities of bottled water in a basement or cold storage area in well-sealed containers. Make sure the area is cool and dark. Bottled water has a two-year shelf-life. Health Canada recommends replacement after a year.

• Naturally-carbonated natural mineral water after treatment, replacement of gas and packaging, has the same content of gas from the source.
• Non-carbonated natural mineral water does not contain carbon dioxide in excess of the amount necessary to keep hydrogen carbonate salts dissolved.
• De-carbonated natural mineral water has less carbon dioxide than when it came out of the ground.
• Carbonated natural mineral water has been made bubbly by adding carbon dioxide.
• Demineralized water has the dissolved solids (minerals) removed.
• Re-mineralized water, after filtration that removes all the solids, has some minerals put back in.
• Ozonized water has ozone added to kill bacteria.
• Super-oxygenated water contains extra oxygen, most of which escapes when you twist the cap.