Question:
I just don't understand the allure. Shopping the other day at the localKroger I came across an entire aisle filled with the transparentbottles, all sporting labels alluding to exotic springs or mountainstreams or some other water hole unsoiled by the touch of man. Right,like mountain runoff or water pumped out of an Ozarkian cesspool is anypurer than the stuff readily available on tap. Just to see if I wasright, I bought a bottle and poured myself two glasses, one from thetap, the other straight from the Rocky's (at 99 cents a quart too). Icouldn't tell the difference.

I challenged the rest of my immediate family, who happen to be avidbottled water enthusiasts (I must have inherited the recessive gene) toa similar trial, but they all weaseled out on me. But I suspect theywouldn't be able to tell the difference either. And mind you, this isTEXAS tap water, not exactly known for its purity.

So what gives? Is there really any difference between brands? Does itmatter where it was filled up? Is it really healthier / better than thestuff that comes out of the tap? And why the hell would anyone pay 99cents for it?

Answer: Depends where you live. In New York City, the water is drinkable. WhenI moved to Buffalo, I started buying bottled water, because the stuffthat came out of the tap was awful. (And my boss, when he moved fromManhattan to New Rochelle, began filling up gallon jugs at the sink inthe back of the store and bringing them home with him.)

As far as the difference between brands, I usually get distilled, sothey all taste the same to me... i.e. not at all. (Unless it's beensitting around for a long time, in which case it tastes like plastic.)

Piss on 'em. I drink pure water. I work in a bookstore that has aPure Water store next door. I have almost cut outcarbonated beverages. I used to drink them all the time. Now I'mdown to one or two a week, and they really taste good, almost like atreat for being good. The downside is that I can't drink tap waterany more, no matter what the quality is.

Bottled water in the store? Too expensive. You can get it cheaper,probably from your local health food store or co-op. Your kidneyswill thank you in later years, though you'll have to take care thatyou get essential minerals which are not in some waters.