Americans Remain Divided on the Best Way to Stay Hydrated

A Nation of Accumulated Containers

Carrie Frost, a registered nurse and mother of two from Colorado, is well-equipped for hydration. With “upward of 25 to 30” reusable flasks at home, Frost and her family have a variety of options for keeping their drinks cold. However, despite their collection of beverage containers, Frost often finds herself reaching for a plastic water bottle purchased at a local grocery store. She admits that convenience plays a role in this decision, jokingly acknowledging that perhaps society has become lazy.

The Paradox of Water Consumption

Americans are consuming more water than ever before, but they are unsure of the best method for doing so. The sale of reusable water bottles in the United States exceeded $2 billion in 2022, a significant increase from around $1.5 billion in 2020. Simultaneously, sales of single-serving water bottles have also been on the rise, reaching 11.3 billion gallons in 2022, according to the Beverage Marketing Association.

This paradoxical behavior demonstrates that consumers are spending billions of dollars on reusable bottles to stay hydrated, only to continue purchasing bottled water despite the availability of free tap water.

The Convenience Factor and Lack of Trust

Jason Taylor from Georgia exemplifies the sentiments of many Americans. He confesses that he hasn’t drunk from a faucet since he was 18 due to concerns about tainted water, similar to the situation in Flint, Michigan. Taylor resorts to using ice from the hotel and pouring bottled water into his reusable flask. While he trusts hotel ice, he remains skeptical of faucet water.

An Evolving Beverage Landscape

The beverage industry is experiencing a period of transition. Americans are moving away from sugary drinks but still desire the convenience of chilled plastic bottles. As a result, individuals are accumulating both single-use and reusable containers in their kitchen cabinets and landfills.

Jessica Heiges, a sustainability consultant, notes that sales of reusable water bottles are skyrocketing. However, individuals who continue to fill these containers with bottled water have not fully embraced the environmental aspect. Moreover, the overabundance of reusable water bottles goes against sustainability efforts, as these products require resources to manufacture.

A Love for Water Bottles as Accessories

Alaina Waldrop, a 20-year-old from Birmingham, possesses around 20 water bottles, considering them as precious as purses. She explains that people often grow tired of their current water bottle and seek out new, aesthetically appealing options. Waldrop primarily fills her bottles with filtered water at home, but when on the go, she purchases single-serving bottles and transfers the water into her reusable container for its cooling benefits.

The Quality and Safety of Bottled Water

Ronnie Levin, an instructor and public drinking water expert, states that there is often little difference in quality or safety between bottled water and tap water. Bottled water is frequently filled from random taps, and the monitoring of its quality is inconsistent. Thus, pouring bottled water into a reusable flask does not necessarily provide any additional benefits and only contributes to environmental pollution.

The Price and Perceptions of Water

Water has become increasingly expensive and often costs as much or more than soda, despite offering fewer ingredients, such as sugar. While purchasing water in bulk remains affordable, single-serving bottles can become quite pricey, especially in locations where customers are in need of a quick and convenient hydration option, such as airports.

A Hudson employee named Kim Shoemaker explains that water’s popularity stems from its perceived health benefits and lack of additives. Despite owning multiple reusable flasks, Shoemaker often finds herself using single-serving bottles. She remains unsure of why she chooses to do so.

The Division within Families

Even within families, there exists a divide over water consumption methods. Carrie Frost’s husband, Spencer, cannot understand why someone would invest in reusable containers and single-serving bottles when tap water could easily be used instead. Spencer humorously suggests they should simply drink from a hose.