Which is better for you: Bottled or Tap water?

Surveys have found that the primary reasons people choose bottled water over tap water are: 1) the belief that bottled water is healthier, 2) that bottled water tastes better, and 3) that bottled water offers convenience. Which one is better in regard to taste and convenience could be debated, but according to a number of authorities, tap water and bottled water are generally comparable in terms of their safety and nutritional value.

Different federal agencies provide oversight to the processing of these two sources of water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees bottled water, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates tap water. Their standards for ensuring safety, however, including such concerns as contaminant levels, are virtually the same.

Most municipal water sources come from large wells, rivers or reservoirs. The water is processed in a treatment plant to make sure that it meets EPA standards and is then piped to customers. Bottled water comes from a number of sources, such as underground springs, but may also come from a municipal water supply. Prior to bottling, however, water from a municipal source undergoes additional treatment which could include reverse osmosis, ozonation, or distillation. In general, the goal of the processing of water, whether it ends up in a bottle or coming through a tap is to make sure that it is as pure and natural as possible.

To some degree, the choice of tap or bottled water becomes a matter of personal preference. The preference for the taste of bottled water could be due to the use of chlorine disinfection used by many municipal water treatment plants to kill microorganisms or to the minerals or effervescence in certain brands of bottled water. One other difference is the inclusion of fluoride in most tap water sources to help prevent tooth decay.

The devil’s in the details: The downside of bottled water
Most of the concerns voiced against bottled water have little to do with the quality of the water or its consumption. These concerns include:

1. The energy consumption required to transport bottled water and associated production of greenhouse gases.
2. The contribution to the depletion of underground aquifers by bottled water companies who pump from these sources.
3. Estimates that between 60 to 80% of recyclable plastic bottled water containers end up in landfills. In 2005, it was estimated that approximately 2 million tons of plastic water bottles were not recycled, ending up in landfills.
4. Ongoing research which suggests that contamination from certain types of plastic, in particular those that contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), have adverse health effects.
5. The additional expense to the consumer of bottling water that, in some cases, comes from municipal sources.

In protecting their own interests, the International Bottled Water Association has offered rebuttals for most of these concerns. The environmental group, World Wildlife Association, on the other hand, has taken the stance that the increasing use of bottled water represents a serious environmental concern. A spokesman for that group has stated that “protecting our rivers, streams and wetlands will help ensure that tap water remains a service which delivers good quality drinking water for everyone at a fair price."

Anyone who has traveled in developing countries has probably had to find alternatives to drinking from municipal water sources. In this situation, boiling water or buying bottled water becomes a necessity. In the U.S., we are indeed fortunate to have a reliably safe drinking water supplydiction from municipal sources

Lose 5 pounds this year? Spend more time with your family? Find a new job? Millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, but relatively few are successful in keeping them. This is evidenced by a 2007 study conducted by British psychologist Richard Wiseman who found that 88% of all resolutions end in failure. Not surprisingly, very little research has been published on the reasons why people are successful or unsuccessful with keeping New Year’s resolutions. However, that hasn’t kept a number of pundits from offering suggestions on improving your likelihood of success.

The following are some of the most practical recommendations that I have come across:

1. Make one resolution only. Don’t make the mistake of trying to achieve too much. For example, it makes little sense to try to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time. This is a formula for failure.

2. Be as specific as possible. Instead of saying you want to lose weight, aim for a specific amount of weight (e.g. one pound) each week.

3. Focus on the positive aspects of your new behavior. For example, if you want to quit smoking, think about the how much better off you will be---more respiratory capacity, fresher smelling clothing, more disposable income, etc.

4. Wait for the most opportune time. If you have not planned in advance, New Year’s Day may not be the best time to begin. If so, look to a date when you will be better able to accomplish your goal.

5. Let others know about your resolution. Family members or friends can be a great source of support or accountability in keeping your resolution.

6. Take “baby steps”. Break the goal into small, achievable steps. For example if a new job is the goal, the steps to success could include writing a resume, performing a needs analysis, talking to potential references, arranging for one interview a week, etc.

7. Write down your goals. Commit them to paper and review them periodically to see where you stand.

8. Expect setbacks. Since nobody’s perfect, you may revert to your old habits from time to time. These should be considered temporary, rather than a reason to give up on your goal.

9. Be realistic. Take time to seriously consider what you want to accomplish and don’t set the bar too high.

10. Avoid previous resolutions. This usually just leads to breaking the resolution a second time. If you do make a similar pledge, think about why you were unsuccessful and take steps to avoid a similar outcome.

One could argue about the wisdom of making New Year’s resolutions at all. Too often, they end up being something that “goes in one year and out the other”. Nevertheless, positive changes in people’s lifestyle, family circumstances, or financial situation can and do occur when the commitment is there. Hopefully, some of the tips above will help you reach your goals for the New Year.

"To Grandmother's House We Go" - Winter Driving Safety

Statistics indicate that of the more than 6 million vehicle crashes each year, 24% are weather-related. Weather-related crashes are defined as those that occur in adverse weather (i.e., rain, sleet, snow, and/or fog) or on slick pavement (i.e., wet pavement, snowy/slushy pavement, or icy pavement). Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that on average, 7,130 people are killed and over 629,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes each year.

A large percentage of the U.S. population faces winter driving condition each year. Over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions that receive more than five inches average snowfall annually. Additionally, many people travel from warmer to colder climates each winter for business or pleasure. It pays to have knowledge of the special challenges posed by winter driving and to be prepared for the unexpected.

Here are some of the most important tips for safe winter driving:

1. Slow down. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Stopping, turning, accelerating--- practically every driving function takes longer on snow-covered roads, so leave extra distance between you and other cars.
2. Brake earlier. It takes at least twice as long to stop on icy or snowy roads than on dry pavement. With anti-lock brakes, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal and never pump the brakes.
3. Check your tires. Replace them if you are getting close to the wear bars. If you are unsure if you need new or a different type of tire, consult your local tire dealer. Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Tires that were at the proper pressure in summer could be low with the colder temperatures of winter.
4. Remove snow from the entire car, not just the windows. This will keep snow from blowing onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers. Side-view mirrors and all lights should be cleared as well.
5. Service your car. You should make that it is in top operating condition. This includes checking the battery, charging system, belts, anti-freeze level, windshield wipers and the washer reservoir.
6. Use caution on bridges and overpasses. Without the heat provided by the earth, freezing can occur on these structures even when the road is relatively clear.
7. Avoid using cruise control on icy or snowy roads.
   
8. Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive. Delay trips if bad weather is expected. If you do travel when the weather is suspect, let someone know your route and when you expect to arrive.
9. Stay home. Sometimes the best option, particularly if you don’t really have to get out, is to stay off the roads.

What if you become snow bound? The American Automobile Association (AAA) advises that if you become stuck, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. You should not try to walk in a severe storm since you could become lost and unable to return to your car. The AAA also recommends that drivers have the following equipment in a winter emergency kit:

• A cell phone
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Small snow shovel and brush
• Traction mats/non-clumping kitty litter
• Ice scraper
• Battery booster cables
• Warm blanket
• Flares/triangle warning devices
• Heavy gloves
• Windshield washer fluid
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food items
• Tire chains

Additional information regarding winter driving can be found at the American Automobile Association (AAA) website or from Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers, at CarTalk.com