The Necessity of Bottled Water

One of my very real  fears about having  Kara study abroad in Nicaragua concerned her potential exposure to parasitic disease—either via mosquites (yellow fever, malaria, Dengue fever) or through tainted water (dysentery, giardia, ameobiosis).

When you visit third world countries, sanitation is not equal to that of the United States. Which is why the CDC states on its travel website the importance of vaccines and drinking bottled water.

Because something as simple as consuming bottled water can prevent death.

I live in New York. It is civilized. It is not a third world country. The Health Department, in conjunction with the Department of Labs and Research tests the potability of drinking water 365 days of the year. The standards for tap water are stringent—more stringent than what the EPA sets for bottled water like Poland Springs or imported water like Pellegrino.

Yet I have noticed a trend in the last year or so. And it is not just in the high end restaurants of Manhattan, but at local eateries here in the suburbs as well. Waiters are trained to come to the table just after customers are seated to ask Would you prefer bottled or tap water?

And what is to be inferred is that tap water is an inferior option—that tap water is dirty and of questionable origin—and that both my health and palate may be in jeopardy if I make the wrong choice.

It’s a total scam--- and I resent it.

Because I do not wish to pay for my glasses of water when I venture out to eat. My water should be free just like the bread on the table.

And so in an affirmative do you really think you can pull the wool over my eyes? tone I say Tap water will be fine.

Because I do not live in Nicaragua. The water here in America is completely safe. I do not need a pseudo-sommelier recommending  bottled waters as if it were fine wine. And if the day comes, and I am faced with a water steward, then I will say I’ll take the regional water—i.e. from the tap.