Author Elizabeth Royte points out that the $60 billion-a-year business worldwide has taken attention and dollars from good ole' tap water. According to Royte, the EPA warns that cities need to invest some $390 billion in water and sewer systems by 2020 to guarantee a plentiful supply. It's the proverbial Catch-22: "degrading water systems will decrease consumers' trust in tap water and increase purchases of bottled water. Opting out of public water isn't going to help preserve, or improve, municipal water supplies. But preserve it we must. Too many people can afford to drink nothing but."
Source: USA Today
