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Explanation about how to prevent using contaminated bottled water to succeed in health. Also refer to dirt, slime, bleach, water quality, distilled, minerals, taste, germs, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Preventing Dirty Bottled Water

by Ron Kurtus (revised 2 March 2002)

Many people purchase large bottles of water for their home or office, because it is better to drink. Often the bottle may be dirty on the outside, possibly contaminating the water. Slime may also grow in the reservoir. Also, sometimes the water is not the quality you would expect.

Questions you may have include:

• How can the outside of the bottle contaminate your drinking water?
• Where does slime come from?
• What are problems with water quality?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson. Health Disclaimer

Dirty bottle

Although the insides of the large plastic bottles used to supply bottled water to you are assumed to be thoroughly cleaned, there are no requirements on cleaning the outside of the bottle--especially the top that comes in contact with your drinking water.

Dirt dissolves into water

When the bottle is tipped on its end over the reservoir, about 10 square inches of the bottle top surface is in contact with your water. Any dirt on the top will fall or dissolve into your drinking water.

Wash top of bottle

Take a wet paper towel and wipe off the top area of a typical bottle, and you will see the amazing amount of dirt that has collected on the surface. When the bottle is put on your reservoir, that dirt will go into your drinking water.

If a service puts the bottle on for you, you might still check to see how clean the top area is and perhaps ask to clean them off before the service man puts the bottle on the reservoir.

Slime in reservoir

Bottled water is not chlorinated, so it does not kill tiny organisms that may grow in water. Even if you start off with a very clean reservoir, after several months green slime may collect on the insides. It isn't a bad idea to occasionally check the insides when the water is almost gone.

Clean insides

Don't use soap to clean the inside of your reservoir. Soap is for cutting grease, and that is not the problem. Also, the residue will linger for a while until it is all flushed out.

Rather, empty the reservoir and scrape of any slime with a clean paper or cloth towel. You can use a very dilute bleach solution, if you then rinse it out thoroughly.

Question of water quality

Some bottled water companies have simply provided tap water in their bottles. Others claim to purify the water themselves. It is good to make sure you are getting the quality of water for which you are paying.

Several years ago there was a big flap when petroleum contamination was found in the expensive Perrier bottled water. They claim to have solved the problem, although their sales dropped as a result of the negative publicity

We use distilled water, primarily so Mr. Coffee won't get plugged up with deposits. Regular bottled water has some minerals in it, which enhances the taste, but we found the minerals collected in the coffee-maker, clogging up the works.

Summary

The top of a bottle of water may be quite dirty and should be cleaned before using. The reservoir should be occasionally cleaned of any slime growing on the surfaces. Make sure you get the quality of water you are paying for.

Answers to Readers' Questions

Help others maintain their health

Resources

The following are resources on this subject.

Websites

General Health Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Clean Bottled Water

Top-rated books on General Health

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. Why bother with the outside of the bottle?

2. How can you tell if there is slime in the reservoir?

3. Is the water always as pure as advertised?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in being Healthy. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Preventing Dirty Bottled Water