2008 Woodie Awards
Britta vs. Bottled Water: Which is the Better Value?
Kimberly Ecker
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Health
You may be one of many who prefers the fresh taste of bottled water over stale tasting faucet water, but despite taste, what should we really look for in the water we drink? Brita Water pitchers have recently risen in popularity after studies have shown that they are less expensive and better for you. A twelve dollar re-washable pitcher can not compare to the endless amounts of money spent on bottled water. Nor can buying bottled water enhance the La Crosse environment, seeing as the city of La Crosse does not recycle plastic.
To get to the bottom of this, Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG), on organization on the UW-L campus, conducted an experiment in Cartwright on April 8th and 9th to see if people could determine the difference between Brita water and bottled water and then had them report which they preferred. Their booth was run by the two-year member and President of Eta Sigma Gamma: Molly Dunks, as well as ESG member: Chris Venema. The two members invited people to blindly taste water provided for them to judge on the matter, and also provided taste-testers with facts and information about the defects of bottled water.
Interestingly, according to www.waterfiltercomparisons.com, city tap water is required to have no E. coli or fecal bacteria, but FDA does not prohibit using a certain amount of fecal bacteria in bottled water. Also, city water systems must issue annual "right to know" reports, telling customers what is in their water, but bottlers have somehow scandalously removed the "right to know" requirement for bottled water. On top of that, city tap water must meet standards for certain important toxic or cancer-causing chemicals such as phthalate, which is coincidentally found in plastics used to make bottled water. Needless to say, the experiment conducted by Eta Sigma Gamma was important in informing the public of how they may be harming our community's environment.
Eta Sigma Gamma is a chapter of the national professional health organization that has its own assembly right here at UW-L, consisting of Community Health Education and School Health Education majors. The thirty five group members meet every other Sunday to discuss matters that deal with the four main components they hope to promote and change; advocacy, education, research, and service. Previously they have worked on many community and school projects to promote health such as "Safe Spring Break", which was conducted the week before Spring Break and consisted of booths set up to promote safe sex, skin protection, etc.
ESG's upcoming project is at the Kane Street Gardens here in La Crosse. Kane Street Gardens is an organic garden that takes volunteers to gather free fruits and vegetables for those who can not afford to buy fresh products.
Regardless if you are a Community Health Education or School Health Education Major or not, ESG is always looking for volunteers to help them with their projects so look them up at the UW-L website or ask a Health Advisor for more information.
To get to the bottom of this, Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG), on organization on the UW-L campus, conducted an experiment in Cartwright on April 8th and 9th to see if people could determine the difference between Brita water and bottled water and then had them report which they preferred. Their booth was run by the two-year member and President of Eta Sigma Gamma: Molly Dunks, as well as ESG member: Chris Venema. The two members invited people to blindly taste water provided for them to judge on the matter, and also provided taste-testers with facts and information about the defects of bottled water.
Interestingly, according to www.waterfiltercomparisons.com, city tap water is required to have no E. coli or fecal bacteria, but FDA does not prohibit using a certain amount of fecal bacteria in bottled water. Also, city water systems must issue annual "right to know" reports, telling customers what is in their water, but bottlers have somehow scandalously removed the "right to know" requirement for bottled water. On top of that, city tap water must meet standards for certain important toxic or cancer-causing chemicals such as phthalate, which is coincidentally found in plastics used to make bottled water. Needless to say, the experiment conducted by Eta Sigma Gamma was important in informing the public of how they may be harming our community's environment.
Eta Sigma Gamma is a chapter of the national professional health organization that has its own assembly right here at UW-L, consisting of Community Health Education and School Health Education majors. The thirty five group members meet every other Sunday to discuss matters that deal with the four main components they hope to promote and change; advocacy, education, research, and service. Previously they have worked on many community and school projects to promote health such as "Safe Spring Break", which was conducted the week before Spring Break and consisted of booths set up to promote safe sex, skin protection, etc.
ESG's upcoming project is at the Kane Street Gardens here in La Crosse. Kane Street Gardens is an organic garden that takes volunteers to gather free fruits and vegetables for those who can not afford to buy fresh products.
Regardless if you are a Community Health Education or School Health Education Major or not, ESG is always looking for volunteers to help them with their projects so look them up at the UW-L website or ask a Health Advisor for more information.
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