To the editor: One of the biggest scams in American history has been convincing people that bottled water is better than tap water. (“Forest Service Orders Arrowhead Bottled Water Company to Shut Down California Pipeline,” August 7)
Tap water is perfectly safe and healthy. What is not perfectly safe and healthy for the world is extracting millions and millions of bottles of water from springs, where the water is, if not outright stolen, then acquired through dubious shady deals.
Of course, water is perfectly safe to drink, but every time you reach for one of those bottles of water, remember that it took petroleum to produce it. And bottles are one of the largest sources of unrecycled plastic on the planet.
The excellent documentary “Tapped Out” explored the same problem in Maine with Poland Springs. If you are that concerned about the water you drink, buy a water filter. Drink tap water to save the planet.
Doug Jones, Los Feliz
..
To the editor: I commend U.S. Forest Service Ranger Michael Nobles for asking BlueTriton Brands to stop pumping water from the San Bernardino Mountains and selling it as bottled water. This is a courageous move to take on such a formidable corporation.
A friend of mine was a district ranger here in Santa Barbara. She reminded me, “We’re just hourly employees.”
Otis Calef, Santa Barbara
