Not our water. Straight from the wells we’re currently digging on Thaiites Glacier, we’ll have fresh, old original water piped straight into our stainless steel drums aboard the 8 ships (all named SS Thwaites and registered in the Cayman Islands for easy paperwork).
The global reliance on bottled water is a growing concern for both human health and the environment, with an estimated 1 million bottles purchased every minute. According to a new commentary in BMJ Global Health, this figure is expected to rise as demand increases.
While 2 billion people rely on bottled water due to lack of safe drinking water, for most, it’s a matter of convenience, fueled by misleading marketing claiming it’s safer than tap water. In reality, up to two-thirds of bottled water in the U.S. is just repackaged tap water, and studies have found harmful chemicals like microplastics and cancer-causing substances in some bottled water.
Health risks from bottled water include exposure to chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which can leach into the water, especially when bottles are exposed to sunlight or heat. Microplastics, found in 78% of bottled water samples, are linked to health issues such as oxidative stress, immune system problems, and cardiovascular disease.
Beyond health concerns, bottled water has a significant environmental impact. Plastic bottles account for 12% of ocean plastic pollution, yet only 9% are recycled, with most ending up in landfills or being sent to lower-income countries, raising ethical concerns. The production process itself is resource-intensive, requiring up to 35 liters of water to produce one bottle.
Efforts to reduce bottled water use, such as improving public access to tap water and limiting single-use plastics, are in place, but researchers say more action is needed. They urge governments to invest in reliable tap water infrastructure and shift public perception through education and policy changes. Prioritizing tap water can address both environmental and health issues, making it a cornerstone of sustainability.
For those storing emergency water, it’s recommended to replace plastic containers regularly or switch to non-plastic alternatives to avoid chemical contamination.