Industry News
Bottled Water Market Share Volume Holds Steady In 2009 Despite Economic Conditions
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), in conjunction with Beverage Marketing
Corporation (BMC) recently released 2009 bottled water statistics, compiled by BMC, a
research, consulting, and financial services firm dedicated to the global beverage industry. The
new BMC data shows the bottled water category's overall share of the liquid refreshment
beverages marketplace held steady at approximately 29.2% in 2009. The overall consumption
of bottled water has dropped slightly, by 2.5%, but the rate of decline is less than the decline of total U.S. refreshment beverage market, which dropped 2.7% in 2009. Given the continued
poor U.S. economic situation, the bottled water industry is happy to hold its own against other
packaged beverages. For more information, visit www.beveragemarketing.com,
In 2009, total bottled water consumption was 8.45 billion gallons, a 2.5% decrease compared
to 2008's figure of 8.66 billion gallons. Overall in 2009, the entire U.S. refreshment beverage
category fell by 2.7%, the second consumption downturn in two years. Analysts attribute the
drop primarily to a major U.S. recession, also in its second year. Consumption of carbonated
soft drinks fell by 2.3% while sports drinks as a category declined by 12.3%. Packaged fruit
beverages fell by 2.0%. Recently-launched flavored and vitamin-added bottled water saw an
8.8% decline. Energy drinks did advance 0.2%, while ready-to-drink bottled teas saw a 1.2%
gain, the only category gains recorded in 2009.
According to Michael C. Bellas, chairman and CEO of BMC, "Although 2009 was the second
year in a row of unusual weakness in liquid refreshment beverages' performance, the worst
may be over." "Beverages are likely to be one of the first categories to benefit with a job-led
economic recovery because they represent an inexpensive form of pleasure," he continued.
Bottled water's 29.2% market share in 2009 of the liquid refreshment beverage category is up
from 2008's volume share of 29.1%. "During these tough economic times, consumers have
trimmed discretionary spending," said Tom Lauria, Vice President of Communications for
IBWA, "but bottled water sales decreased less than most other major categories.
Subsequently, we now enjoy steady market share as consumers chose bottled water over
other packaged beverages."
Lauria added: "The faltering economy has packaged beverage sales down across the board.
Some industry watchers have also wondered how much, if any, increased activism on the
alleged environmental impact of bottled water is a possible reason for the drop. However, there has been a notable decrease in sales of nearly all packaged beverages including steep drops in many packaged beverage products that activists never discuss or protest. Meanwhile,
there's plenty of evidence that this recession is taking its toll on all forms of consumer
spending. Bottled water is well-established and popular with consumers who rely on its
convenience, healthfulness and refreshing taste."
Consumers should also know that bottled water safety and quality result from multiple layers of
regulation and standards at the federal, state and industry levels. "Consumers must also be
made aware of the bottled water industry's outstanding record of environmental stewardship,
protection, and sustainability," IBWA's Lauria concluded.
"Bottled water containers are 100 percent recyclable. Although bottled water makes up only 1/3 of one percent of the U.S. waste stream, according to the EPA, the bottled water industry
works hard on a number of fronts with recycling advocates, communities, and our beverage
and food partners to increase recycling rates. The bottled water industry is also at the forefront utilizing measures to reduce our environmental footprint In the past eight years, bottled water companies have reduced the weight of PET resin plastic single-serve bottles by 32%. That is the equivalent of removing one out of three bottled water containers from the waste stream.
Bottled water is a packaged food product that is comprehensively regulated by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) and is subject to stringent standards for safety, quality,
production, labeling, and identity. Along with the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs),
which are required of all foods, bottled water must comply with several other applicable
regulations, including a Standard of Identity, Standards of Quality and additional, specific
bottled water GMPs. Being a packaged food product, bottled water is also bound by the full
range of FDA protective measures designed to enforce product safety and protect consumers.
States can also regulate bottled water inspections, sampling, analyzing and approving bottled
water sources, and testing laboratory certification. As part of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of
Practice, IBWA members voluntarily utilize the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) for a science-based approach to bottled water production and safety.
FDA recognizes HACCP as a key component of food safety and consumer protection.
For more information, visit www.bottledwater.org.
About International Bottled Water Association
The International Bottled Water Association
(IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in
1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers.
IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which
regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent
standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. Additionally, IBWA requires member
bottlers to adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional
standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state
regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Model Code is an annual plant inspection by an
independent, third party organization.
Water Crisis in Boston Area Hits Poor and Working People Hardest
Stores practice price gouging on bottled water
On May 1, a pipe rupture prevented 2 million people in the Greater Boston Area from drinking
tap water for two-and-a-half days. Residents of 30 towns and cities were under one of the
biggest boil-water orders in the United States in recent history. There was a rush on bottled
water in stores as well.
Access to safe water is essential for life. People need water to drink, for cooking, for laundry, dishwashing and personal hygiene. When safe water is not readily available, life becomes extremely difficult.
While the tap water was not safe on the night of May 1 and into May 2, there was a rush on bottled water in stores all over the area. Along with the rush for safe water came reports that store chains and owners were taking advantage of the situation and overcharging customers. According to the Boston Globe, one resident of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood found a case of water being sold for more than $52 in a 7-Eleven store in her community.
Water should be a guaranteed right for all and it should be free. But under capitalism, it is a commodity sold to make a profit. Those who cannot afford the asking price must simply suffer.
Many truck drivers and grocery store workers in the Boston area were called in and forced to work on Sunday, their day off, in order to meet the city’s demand for bottled water. With jobs under constant threat in our current economy, these workers likely did not feel that they could say “no” to “requests” from their bosses to work these extra hours.
On May 3, it was announced that local towns in the area would distribute water to residents for free. The locations for distribution included surrounding suburbs and towns but not a single location within the city of Boston. Working people within the city, many of whom do not have access to a car, had no way to access these free supplies.
The clamp that broke and caused the crisis was less than 10 years old, said officials of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. According to the Boston Globe, the state Water Infrastructure Finance Commission met for the first time after the crisis was over to discuss the water system, which probably needs billions of dollars in upgrades and repairs.
The recent emergency may seem like an unusual event. However, lacking access to safe tap water is not a new scenario to many working people in and around Boston. An organization called Massachusetts Global Action has found that people who live in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, which are low-income communities of color, are 10 times more likely than residents of wealthier neighborhoods to experience a water shutoff as a consequence of bill non- payment. Further, as the proportion of people of color increases in a city ward, there is a disproportionate likelihood that water will be shut off in a resident’s home if a bill is not paid, according to Massachusetts Global Action. So while all 2 million people in the Greater Boston area experienced this water crisis together, it is a constant threat for many working people in the city.
Water is a human right that should be guaranteed to all people. This “crisis” revealed that it is not guaranteed to the working people of Boston, nor is it freely available to most working people around the country. We must fight back against the system of capitalism that puts a price on a most basic and necessary resource for human survival, water.
National Drinking Water Week: A Great Way to Recognize the Importance of Good Hydration
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) celebrates National Drinking Water Week and notes the importance of having all types of drinking water, both bottled water and tap water, contribute to better hydration for all Americans. This annual commemoration of America’s drinking water, May 2 – 8, 2010, comes at a time when obesity, heart disease and diabetes are at very high levels, and it is therefore in the public interest to remind Americans to drink more water to stay healthy.
“Bottled water comes from both groundwater and municipal water sources. As a result, the bottled water industry supports comprehensive groundwater management policies and strong and adequate funding for tap water infrastructure” said Tom Lauria, Vice President of the Communications at IBWA, “Both tap and bottled water have a critically important role to play in consumers’ well-being.” “This is not a tap vs. bottled water issue. Most people drink both, depending upon the circumstances,” Lauria continued.
Whether a consumer decides to choose one over another largely depends on an individual’s tastes or need for convenience. As with many foods, water --whether tap or bottled -- tastes differently to different people. Some people are discerning about the source of their water, while others prefer not to have the odor and taste of chlorine. What is of highest importance is that everyone drink a sufficient amount of water every day.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently released a report titled “Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for Water.” According to the EFSA report, adequate intakes of liquids for adults are 135.2 oz per day (4 L per day) for men and 101.4 oz per day (3.1L per day) for women. The report notes that 80 percent of total water intake comes from water and beverages, while 20 percent comes from food moisture. This means that the adequate intake of water and beverages for men would be 108.2 oz per day (3.2 L per day) and 81.1 oz per day (2.4 L per day) for women.
In 2004, The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) published an assessment of the recommended dietary intake of total water. According to the NAS report, adequate intakes of total water are 125.1 oz per day (3.7 L per day) for men and 91.3 oz per day (2.7 L per day) for women. NAS reported that 81 percent of fluid intake is from water and beverages and 19 percent comes from food moisture. This means that the adequate intake of water and beverages would be 101.4 oz per day (3.0 L per day) for men and 74.4 oz per day (2.2 L per day) for women.
For busy Americans on the go, convenient bottled water is often an ideal solution that allows for flexibility and portability, while avoiding the calories, additives and sweeteners that come with other ready-to-go packaged beverages. Good hydration means drinking plenty of water during the entire day. Because it is a heavily regulated food product, bottled water is a safe and reliable source of refreshment and enjoyment at home, at the office or on the go. It’s an important source of water in many people’s daily diets and it is certainly not in the public interest when bottled water critics demand consumers avoid it entirely.
Earth Day 2010 Finds Weight of Plastic Water Bottles Reduced by 32%, while Maintaining a Very Small Environmental Footprint
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Commemoration of Earth Day on April 22, 2010 includes positive news for those concerned about recycling empty plastic water bottles.
A recent analysis performed by the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) for the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) shows that over the past eight years the average gram weight of the 16.9 ounce “single serve” bottled water container has dropped by 32.6%.
The average PET bottled water container weighed 18.9 grams in 2000 and by 2008, the average amount of PET resin in each bottle has declined to 12.7 grams. BMC estimated that during this time span, more than 1.3 billion pounds of PET resin has been saved by the bottled water industry through container light-weighting. In 2008 alone, the bottled water industry saved 445 million pounds of PET plastic by reducing the weight of its plastic bottles.
IBWA also recently commissioned a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) study to determine the environmental footprint of the United States bottled water industry. Franklin Associates, a division of ERG, produced the LCI and prepared a report that quantified the energy requirements, solid waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions for the production, packaging, transport, and end-of- life management for bottled water consumed in the United States in 2007.
The results indicate that bottled water has a very small environmental footprint. The study found:
•Measurement based on British Thermal Units (BTUs) indicates that the energy consumed to produce small pack water bottled water containers (containers from 8 ounces to 2.5 gallons) amounted to only 0.067 percent of the total energy use in the United States in 2007. Home and Office Delivery (HOD) bottled water (reusable bottles from 2.5 to 5 gallons) energy consumption only amounted to 0.003 percent of the total energy used in the United States in 2007.
•The small pack and HOD bottled water industries’ combined greenhouse gas/ CO2 emissions amounted to only 0.08 percent of total United States greenhouse gas emissions.
•Bottled water packaging discards accounted for only 0.64 percent of the 169 million tons of total U.S. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) discards in 2007.
•The process and transportation BTU energy use for the bottled water industry was only 0.07 percent of total U.S. BTU primary energy consumption.
•Greenhouse gas emissions per half gallon of single serve bottled water came to 426.4 grams CO2 equivalent (eq.), which is 75 percent less CO2 eq. per half gallon than orange juice.
•Small pack bottled water generates 46 percent less CO2 eq. when compared to soft drinks also packaged in PET plastic.
In November 2009, IBWA reported the national recycling rate for PET plastic bottled water containers (.5 liter or 16.9 ounce size) now stands at a record 30.9% for 2008, a year-over-year improvement of 32% over 2007 rates, according to new data from two new studies: “2008 Post Consumer PET Bottle Bale Composition Analysis” and “2008 Report on PET Water Bottle Recycling,” both produced by the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) for IBWA. Previously, the 2007 NAPCOR study on water bottle recycling determined that the recycling rate for water bottles was 23.4%, representing a sizable 16.42% increase over the 2006 recycling rate of 20.1%.
Over the last several years, the bottled water industry has demonstrated solid environmental leadership when it comes to water conservation and efficiency. Bottled water companies work hard to utilize and manage water resources in a responsible manner by 1) investing in the best science and technology to improve water quality, 2) strengthening water conservation practices, and 3) bottling and disposing of packaged water products in ways that best serve the environment.
The bottled water industry uses minimal amounts of groundwater to produce an important, healthy and calorie-free consumer product—and does so with great efficiency In the United States, bottled water production accounts for less than 2/100 of a percent (0.02%) of the total ground water withdrawn each year. Even though it is a minimal groundwater user and is only one of among thousands of food, beverage and commercial water users, bottled water companies actively support comprehensive ground water management policies that are science-based, multi-jurisdictional, treat all users equitably, and provide for future needs of this important resource. The bottled water industry also supports a strong and adequately funded municipal water infrastructure. Nearly all U.S. consumers and industries rely on tap water, and every taxpayer and every industry must help ensure that supplies of water from municipal systems are safe and plentiful in the years ahead.
The bottled water industry’s momentum toward more recycling and container lightweighting “can be seen as quickly going in the right direction,” says Tom Lauria. “These are sure signs of improvement but Earth Day is no time to rest our laurels. Far more needs to be done with all plastic products and containers,” said Tom Lauria. “Empty water bottles comprise only 1/3 of 1% of the waste stream. So even if bottled water containers were to hit a 100% recycle rate, there would still be far too many plastic containers of all kinds in the landfills. Let’s hope Earth Day inspires a more comprehensive approach to recycling all product containers, rather than the current activists’ focus, which seems to be only on empty water bottles.”
Background on Earth Day:
Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970 to foster environmental awareness and year-long ecological action worldwide. Through its founding organization, the Earth Day Network, citizens concerned about the environment connect with each to affect change in local, national, and global policies. According to its website, the Earth Day Network include over 17,000 International organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators.
Background on IBWA:
Dating back to the early 1800s, the bottled water industry in the United States is a long-standing environmental steward in protecting and preserving both surface water and groundwater resources. As a leader in water resource manaqement, the bottled water industry, through its trade association, the International Bottled Water Association, is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. In addition to FDA and state regulations, the Association requires member bottlers to adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is an annual plant inspection by an independent, third party organization. Consumers can contact IBWA at 1-800-WATER-11 or log onto IBWA's web site (www.bottledwater.org) for more information about bottled water and a list of members' brands. Media inquiries can be directed to IBWA Vice President of Communications Tom Lauria at 703-647-4609 or tlauria@bottledwater.org.
WORLD WATER DAY 2010 FOCUSES ON ‘CLEAN WATER FOR A HEALTHY WORLD’ AND INCLUDES AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR BOTTLED WATER
ALEXANDRIA, VA— The theme of World Water Day 2010, celebrated on Monday, March 22, is “Clean Water for a Healthy World.” This United Nations (U.N.) sponsored event is held annually to focus attention on the importance of fresh water, and to advocate the sustainable management of fresh water resources. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and the bottled water industry support World Water Day and recognize the importance of a safe and sustainable water supply.
Water – from the tap or bottle – is essential to life. And bottled water is a clean, safe, convenient and healthy product that consumers find refreshing and use to stay hydrated. “The bottled water industry fully recognizes the importance of protecting the quantity and quality of water,” says Joe Doss, president and CEO of IBWA. “Governments, businesses, communities and individuals must work together to help protect, preserve and provide a clean, safe water supply.”
Over the last several years, the bottled water industry has demonstrated solid environmental leadership when it comes to water conservation and efficiency. Bottled water companies work to utilize and manage water resources in a responsible manner by 1) investing in the best science and technology to improve water quality, 2) strengthening water conservation practices, and 3) bottling and disposing of packaged water products in ways that best serve the environment. To underscore the bottled water industry’s commitment to responsible environmental policies and practices, IBWA will release a new YouTube video, titled “Good Stewards,” on Monday, March 22 that shines a light on some of our members’ sustainability practices.
The bottled water industry uses minimal amounts of groundwater to produce an important, healthy and calorie-free consumer product—and does so with great efficiency In the United States, bottled water production accounts for less than 2/100 of a percent (0.02%) of the total ground water withdrawn each year. Even though it is a minimal groundwater user and is only one of among thousands of food, beverage and commercial water users, bottled water companies actively support comprehensive ground water management policies that are science-based, multi-jurisdictional, treat all users equitably, and provide for future needs of this important resource. The bottled water industry also supports a strong and adequately funded municipal water infrastructure. Nearly all U.S. consumers and industries rely on tap water, and every taxpayer and every industry must help ensure that supplies of water from municipal systems are safe and plentiful in the years ahead.
In many parts of the world, clean safe water is unavailable or only available in limited quantities. While governments and the private sector work to find permanent solutions to provide clean drinking water in underserved communities around the world, bottled water, combined with other solutions such as filtration and bulk filling stations, is an efficient and effective means of delivering clean, sanitary drinking water where insufficient or non-existent water delivery infrastructure poses life-threatening problems. In addition, a growing number of bottled water companies are designating a portion of their income to support global programs, which help create long term solutions for the provision of water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene in underserved and developing communities.
Consumers across the United States choose bottled water because it is a healthy, refreshing beverage. As a manufactured food product, bottled water is similar to thousands of other beverage and food products that are comprehensively regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food product. Bottled water has its own stringent FDA manufacturing standards governing its safety, purity and labeling. And by law, FDA standards for bottled water must be as protective of public health as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tap water regulations.
Bottled Water’s Effective Environmental Actions
Consumers should be aware that bottled water containers are fully recyclable and should be properly recycled through whatever system their local municipality has in place. In fact, all bottled water containers --whether plastic, glass or aluminum—are recyclable. IBWA actively supports comprehensive curbside recycling programs, partners with other beverage and food companies, municipalities, and the recycling industry, as we seek to educate consumers about recycling, and work to increase all recycling to reduce litter. Currently, 30.9% of all bottled water containers are recycled – a record high result for any PET plastic container.
By using recycled materials, alternative packaging (PLA, biodegradable and compostable materials), and increasing the fuel efficiency in the transportation of their products to market, the bottled water industry is working to reduce its environmental footprint. By developing and using lighter-weight plastics for its containers, in eight years, the average weight of single-serve bottled water has decreased by over 32%. Recent Life Cycle Inventory studies have verified that bottled water products have a very small environmental footprint.
Bottled water containers make up a very small part of the waste stream, accounting for less than one-third of one percent all waste produced in the U.S. Any efforts to reduce the environmental impact of packaging must be comprehensive and focus on all consumer goods.
The larger bottles found on many home and office bottled water coolers can be sanitized and re-used an average of 40 times before the bottled water company removes them from the marketplace and recycles them. That is why the bottled water industry is considered one of the “original recyclers.”
Bottled Water and Emergency Response
In times of emergency, bottled water is always there when you need it. Floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, boil alerts and other events often compromise municipal water systems. IBWA members contribute millions of gallons of water each year to the affected victims. IBWA and the bottled water industry have worked to develop solutions to better enable federal, state and local emergency response agencies to act with greater efficiency and speed with regard to bottled water distribution and coordination in emergency relief operations. IBWA’s broad-ranging expertise can help government officials better understand the issues involved as they attempt to create a more workable system.
BOTTLED WATER PERSEVERES IN A DIFFICULT YEAR, NEW DATA FROM BEVERAGEMARKETING CORPORATION SHOW
Certain brands continue to see strong growth
NEW YORK, NY - Although it performed atypically in 2008, bottled water remains a beverage industry phenomenon. Buoyed by some major liquid refreshment beverage trademarks, it stands as the second largest beverage type in the U.S. market and for many years also ranked as the category with the most forceful growth. Only carbonated soft drinks have greater volume, but they have been declining, in no small part because of bottled water's vigorous ascent.
Developments among leading companies indicate U.S. consumers continued thirst for bottled water. The largest bottled water company, Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA), experienced stronger than average growth and enlarged its market share in 2008. The company's share of bottled water volume advanced from less than 30% in 2006 to almost 33% two years later. DS Waters Enterprises, the second largest bottled water company in terms of volume, also outperformed the overall bottled water marketplace in 2008, as did Crystal Geyser.
The leading companies — NWNA, Pepsi, Coca–Cola (with its Dasani brand as well as the Danone brands it markets), DS Waters and Crystal Geyser — accounted for almost 60% of volume and more than 70% of wholesale dollars in 2008.
Rapid volume growth characterized bottled water for most of the current decade, as chronicled in the latest edition of Beverage Marketing Corporation's comprehensive Bottled Water in the U.S. report. Bottled water volume achieved double–digit percentage growth rates in two years and advanced at rates close to that level in several others. For example, bottled water volume grew by 10.8% in 2005 and then enlarged by 9.5% the following year.
Domestic non–sparkling water, the largest part of the U.S. packaged water industry, consistently outperforms other segments. Domestic non–sparkling water's 8.4 billion gallons represented 96% of total volume in 2008. As it has for years, the retail premium PET segment — consisting of still water in single–serve polyethylene terephthalate bottles — continued to drive the overall category's development. PET volume increased from 1.4 billion gallons in 2000 to 5.2 billion gallons eight years later, boosting its share of total bottled water volume from 29% to more than 60%. Before the slower 0.3% growth recorded in 2008, the PET component enlarged by double–digit percentage rates 16 consecutive times through 2007.
The PET segment includes many of the most prominent bottled water brands, some of which bucked the trend toward sluggish growth afflicting the liquid refreshment beverage market in 2008. Although PepsiCo's Aquafina brand remained number–one when measured in producers' revenues, with wholesale dollar sales greater than $1.3 billion, NWNA's Nestlé Pure Life sustained remarkable double–digit volume growth in 2008 to emerge as the largest bottled water brand when measure in gallons. The brand's share of volume shot from less than 10% in 2007 to nearly 12% in 2008. Only two other brands, Aquafina and Dasani, registered double–digit market shares. Further, while Aquafina dollars declined, Pure Life wholesale dollars saw significant growth during the year. NWNA's Poland Spring grew in both sales and volume as well. Its share of PET segment volume reached 8.6%, while its share of dollars rose to 9.0%.
While total bottled water volume did not realize growth in 2008, its 1.0% dip reflected forces affecting the beverage marketplace generally and did not suggest the start of an ongoing diminishment in demand for bottled water. The weakened economy affected the industry as a whole. High energy and commodities costs had been a challenge during much of the year. Unprecedented input costs relating to multiple aspects of beverage manufacturing resulted in higher prices for consumers, which affected all liquid refreshment beverage segments. Significant portions of the country saw unusually cold or wet weather, which dampened demand for cold drinks. Consumer concerns about the environment may have affected some buying decisions, particularly as a result of campaigns targeting bottled water, though this appears not to be a major factor.
In another departure from previous years, producers' revenues declined in 2008. Bottled water wholesale dollar sales first exceeded $6 billion in 2000. By 2007, they topped $11.5 billion. However, category sales declined to $11.2 billion the following year.
Changes in average intake indicate the level of ongoing consumer interest in a product they perceive as a healthful alternative to other beverages. Americans upped their annual consumption by nearly a dozen gallons from 16.7 gallons per person in 2000 to 28.5 gallons eight years later. During the same period, per capita consumption of carbonated soft drinks dropped by more than six and a half gallons. With these sorts of numbers, bottled water proved itself to be the key contributor to growth in liquid refreshment beverage volume.
A detailed analysis of the 2008 bottled water market based on Beverage Marketing data appears in the April/May 2009 edition of Bottled Water Reporter, a publication of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). New York City–based Beverage Marketing Corporation is the leading research, consulting and financial services firm dedicated to the global beverage industry.
Emergency supplies of drinking water require planning to meet maximum demand during an emergency. As the world enters the tropical storm season and faces other serious emergencies that may affect the drinking water supply, federal, state and local government agencies need to plan ahead to meet peak demand.
All of Society is Affected When disaster strikes it affects everyone. Federal, state and local relief agencies are called upon to provide assistance to the community and top of their supplies list is drinking water. In addition these agencies also require s supplies of pure drinking water for their own staffs to function properly. This includes fire, police, national guard, public utility personnel, hospitals and every individual requiring fresh, pure drinking water.
Advanced Planning is Critical In the face of a disaster immediate demands are made upon the existing municipal water supplies and traditional water suppliers are unable to supply fresh drinkable water. This includes not only municipal water providers but all bottled water suppliers who exceed their production capacity during normal times.
During an emergency, municipal water is in short supply and often polluted and in past emergencies, traditional bottled water suppliers have often failed to meet the heavy drinking water demands of an emergency.
Everyone affected by a disaster needs to plan for emergency water supplies and advanced planning before a disaster is critical.
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Emergency Capacity of Bottled Water Suppliers Those agencies that are affected most by disasters need to identify bottled water suppliers with capacity that can be allocated in an emergency. Attempting to producer supplies from a bottled water suppler that is at capacity or draws water from a spring that may itself become polluted during a disaster may result in a shortage when pure water is required most.
There are suppliers, however with excess capacity in the marketplace and these should be identified before a disaster strikes.
Proper Storage is Important Many federal, state and local agencies are required to maintain emergency supplies of pure drinking water but, depending on the source off the water, these supplies may have a limited life. Spring water contains contaminants from their source springs that may reduce the shelf life of stored water as minerals in the water interact with the plastic in PET packaging.
Purified water, that has all contaminants removed by a distillation/oxygenation process does not interact with PET packaging and has an unlimited shelf life if stored properly.
Choose a Reliable Supplier in Advance As part of a well thought out emergency plan, emergency planners should consider a reliable bottled water supplier with the capacity to meet peak demand and provide water with a long shelf life.