The Bottled Water Phenomenon

I am watching "Business Nation" on CNBC right now that is discussing the effects of bottled water on our country. The show is focusing on Nestle's effect on McCloud, CA. Here is a link to the side against the expansion in case you'd like to learn more.

In Nestle's contract, they are allowed to pump 2.8 billion gallons of water per year from the McCloud River.

Here are some statistics that the program mentioned. They are surprising.

• The bottled water industry is a 100 billion dollar market.

• The average American consumes 28 gallons of bottled water per year.

• Consumers pay four times more per gallon of water than per gallon of gasoline.

• Consumers pay 1000 times more for bottled water than tap water.

The program also mentioned that tap water is regulated more than bottled water.

Thirty years ago, bottled water didn't exist. If some of McCloud's residents have their way, Nestle won't be able to open a bottling facility in their town.

Bottled water, its privatization and the marketing cases on the industry are astounding.