this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2026
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me_irl
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We dont have utility at my home. Our well water was unpleasant to drink. Had to refill two five gallon jugs every week. Lots of people in my area have to do that. The cost more than doubled in one year. Still much cheaper than pop, but drinking water seems like something that should be free to everyone.
Ive since installed a UV light filter and a five stage under the sink RO filter for a drinking water spigot in my home. My water tastes fantastic now, but it was an investment, required know-how, and needs twice annual maintenance.
Tldr: I understand why some folks still need to buy bottled water.
Then theres people with utility water thats literal poison eg Flint Michigan
Sadly bottled water is necessary in some cases, I just hope the effectice circular ecosystem of plastic bottle recycling ive heard about also applies to these water bottles (I heard it used as an excuse to support pop bottles being plastic but it sounds like bullshit until proven)
As for the copious microplastics...
I always see these IBC tanks in rural communities, but they still require a large-scale delivery method.
https://www.barrplastics.com/collections/economy-cage-tote-ibc
Well, you're getting the microplastics no matter what you drink, so there's no sense really worrying about it. We're basically already fucked there. The best we can do is try to reduce how much is added.
It would be nice if places like Flint at least had a water service where you could go and get a several gallon (or multiple) drinking water tank, that you bring back to get new ones, like propane. People shouldn't be forced to buy bottles. They country/state/nation should be providing an alternative until things can be fixed.
Plastic bottles have much higher amounts of microplastics vs tap water (which still has plenty, like you said) so tap would still be the lesser of two evils
Which is such a great way to describe our water supply, isn't it? Both evil and poison but hey ones worse!