Betsy Hnath: You wrote your book, Bottlemania in 2008. Have you seen any changes in the bottled water industry since then?
Elizabeth Royte: Yes. In response to environmental (and economic and public-relations) concerns, the major bottling companies are "lightweighting" their plastic bottles and claiming to support curbside recycling programs. Coca-Cola has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to improve water efficiency, and it opened a giant new recycling plant in South Carolina; it remains to be seen how much recycled content they will use in their water or other beverage bottles. As the weak economy has hurt bottled water sales, Nestle is refocusing on its less-expensive Pure Life brand, which is sourced from tap (not spring) water. Other brands are buying carbon offsets in an attempt to mitigate their energy use.
BH: What is the most surprising fact you gleaned from your research for Bottlemania?
ER: I was most surprised by the threats to our municipal water systems - from agricultural and industrial pollution as well as from deteriorating pipes and treatment plants.
BH: You mention in your book that only 15% of bottles make it to be recycled. How can we as consumers address that staggeringly low percentage?
ER: The percentage of water bottles that are recycled is now closer to twenty percent. The single best thing we could do to improve this rate is pass a national bottle bill, or container deposit law.
BH: How do you feel the current economy might impact environmental issues, particularly that of the bottled water industry?
ER: The poor economy gives the environment a break: we're consuming less, which means there's less fossil fuel burned and less air and water pollution generated by raw-materials extraction, manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of consumer goods. But there's a flip side to this downturn: individuals and businesses are putting off investment in energy-saving technologies. Regarding bottled water, I think that people who drink it out of convenience or for status reasons are returning to tap water - bottled water's rate of growth (in the U.S.) has declined about six percent in the last year.
BH: With states declaring bankruptcy, and municipal funding at an all time low, how can communities ensure the purity of their water supply?
ER: Citizens must let their elected leaders know that clean water and watershed protection - from development, industry, and agriculture - are important to them; it will give those leaders "cover" to insist on more clean-water funding. Citizen groups can monitor watersheds and organize to halt polluters and enforce "polluter pays" laws. Decent water is a measure of civilization; if we can't drink our water, our communities can't survive. Switching to privately bottled water isn't a great solution - not in the long run. It's too expensive, and its environmental price is too high.
BH: Is there anything that a basic consumer can do to clean up his or her personal drinking water?
ER: Everyone should read his or her annual water-quality report (it's usually available online, through your utility), then test your water at the tap. If you find contaminants of concern, find out which is the best filter for you. There are links to filter comparisons at bottlemania.net.
BH: What is the easiest and cheapest way to test your own water supply?
ER: To find a state-certified lab to test your water, look at the EPA's website or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791. If you live in New York City you can get a free lead-testing kit by calling 311. Other cities may have free lead testing programs as well; call your utility or department of public works.
BH: What subject do you plan to tackle next?
ER: I'm not working on a new book right now, though I seem to remain interested in both waste and water...But you never know when or where inspiration will strike.
Betsy Hnath holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Old Dominion. She writes articles for various local papers in Virginia and works in childcare and as a swim coach. She lives in Portsmouth, Virginia with her husband George and three children, Emily, Liam and Jackson.
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