Commercial interests have a real knack for avoiding harsh realities, and this is particularly blatant in the industry that has grown up around providing bottled alternatives to tap water. Yes, there are still countries in the world where it would be a great mistake to drink the water from the tap; but, for all of its other shortcomings, the United States is not one of them. Between blind taste tests and purity analyses, the tap water in most municipalities tends to score pretty high; and, as a resident of San Francisco, I was just sent, free of charge, the results of the latest analyses. Furthermore, tap water does not come from a plastic bottle, which, since it is not biodegradable, is basically a menace to the environment. Fortunately, according to Reuters, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has decided to confront these realities:
Newsom's executive order bars city departments, agencies and contractors from using city funds to serve water in plastic bottles and in larger dispensers when tap water is available.
The Mayor was also quick to point out the budgetary implications of his order:
"In San Francisco, for the price of one 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of bottled water, local residents can purchase 1,000 gallons of tap water," according to the mayor's order.
Newsom estimates San Francisco could save $500,000 a year under his directive, which also addresses environmental concerns over the amount of oil used to make and transport plastic water bottles.
Yes, the Mayor may be jockeying for some good news when the press is on his case for a variety of other matters; but common sense seems so rare in the world of politics that it is worth acknowledging any instance of it!
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