We know that we should all drink filtered tap water from reusable bottles. But what if you’re caught short, and you need to buy bottled water? Actually, there are a few better brands to choose.
If you get confused by bottled water, know that spring water is from underground aquifers, and mineral water has to legally be bottled at source. Either are fine.
Bottle Up is a spring water (from Staffordshire) in ‘sugar-cane’ plastic that is grown away from the Amazon basin in Brazil (the first 5 presses make sugar, the 6th makes this material that is naturally irrigated by rainfall, makes its own fertiliser and can be recycled (rinse with hot water after use, and drain well).
Re:Water offers spring water (bottled at source on protected land) sold in a recycled aluminium bottle. The BPA-free lining (to prevent tainting the taste) does not affect kerbside recycling. Designed to keep water cooler than plastic in hot weather. Fill with cold water only, rinse out after each use, and don’t place in dishwasher/microwave.
One Water sells bottled still and sparkling water in cans or (partially-recycled) glass bottles. This company began after the founder came across a girl in Kenya, photographed next to a tap with a padlock attached. When he learned that almost 800 million people worldwide have no access to clean water, he decided to act. Especially as over 3 million people die yearly from waterborne diseases (mostly children under 5). Lack of clean safe water also traps families in poverty, as they can sometimes spend up to 4 hours daily collecting water (rather than attending school or work).
How Much Water Should We Drink?
We need water to keep cool, remove waste, and help our joints, brains and eyes (fresh water is also found in raw product like watermelons and bananas). The average person needs around 1.2 litres of water a day (more for athletes, hot weather, some medical conditions and after vomiting/diarrhoea).
So how much is 1.2 litres? Around 6 x 200ml glasses. So drink 2 glasses when you wake up, another 2 before lunch and dinner, and in a couple of weeks you’ll be hydrated. The caveat is that your body loses water with tea, coffee, cola and alcohol. So add an extra glass, for each one of those you drink. It’s easier to reduce caffeine and alcohol, so you are not guzzling water all day to compensate.
What Kind of Water Should Pets Drink?
Spring and filtered water are fine, you may find health and fur improves. But vets say that (unless medically given) to avoid distilled water (removes minerals and electrolytes). Never give fizzy water to pets, as it could cause bloat. Don’t let pets drink from puddles. It may taste nice to them, but could contain remnants of bacteria, oil or antifreeze.
