I would support a ban on bottled water AND a ban on plastic grocery bags! Why is it so hard to take your own bags? I always do and get lots of positive comments (also a few idiotic ones such as "what do you have against plastic?").

I would not support a ban on water - I would not support a ban on plastic grocery bags. It seems to me a deposit would be a much better solution, the funds could go toward recycling programs.
It also seems to me there are entirely too many people looking to the government to solve all their problems when it is common sense and absolutely no one has the right to tell me I can't buy a bottle of water if I am at a convenience store and want to purchase one. Personally I use a reusable water bottle, but I'm tired of everyone trying to be the conscience of others. Since when did you get the right to play God?

I would not support such a ban. There is a number of other ways to aid the proper use and recycling of these bottles. The state of MI places a deposit on all pop cans and beer bottles. Why not on plastic water bottles also? People DO take them back to get their money. It is not just the quality of the water in the bottle either. It is the convenience. I use a reusable bottle but upon occasion have needed to purchase water. How else can you get a drink of something decent on a plane these days!
Get real people. We need to learn to live with it and prevent people's bad habits instead.

I would defintley support a ban on bottled water. I myself bring water that I filter from home. It's free and honestly tastes a whole lot better.

On the plastic bag note, while traveling in India in January we were very surprised to see the small towns banning plastic bags. Stores acutally got fines for using plastic bags. Everyone carries market bags which are recyled feed bags that have been decorated. They are very practical. In fact I brought a ton of them home. Also most purchases are wrapped in paper and tied up, like in the old days. Think of how much money stores would save if they didn't have to purchase plastic bags!!! The amount of petroleum used in the plastic bag making process is absurd!

Absolutely! I would definately support a ban on plastic water bottles and on plastic bags. Not only are they harmful to the environment, think about what you are putting into your body! Don't think that the plastic toxins don't leach into that water (which is also questionable) that's in the bottle. Remember, it takes more water to make that bottle than what goes into the bottle.

not until a better way to transport water is discovered. I'd rather my kids drink water than soda when away from home.
Glass is too heavy (breakage dangerous)to tote around at sports events. Impose a return policy. I remember collecting glass bottles for a few pennies to buy candy and treats. I bet you'd see kids scouring enighborhoods and knocking on doors to collect them! They do for cans and make money recycling.

I agree with what Kate said. I don't purchase them often but I'd hate to be in need of water and only have the selection of pop to purchase! Finding a way to fix the problem of landfill waste is a problem, I know, but banning bottled water would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater!

I think a ban is a little excessive. But I completely support heavy taxing that is put into the recycling systems. Why not tax grocery stores for supplying plastic bags, tax businesses for bottling water. There wouldn't be a need to tax individuals because the prices prices represent the higher taxes being paid. The other option could be to tax at the register 2 cents per individual beverage in a plastic bottle (let's not forget soda, juice, vitamin water, gatorade) maybe 10 cents per per grocery store purchase that involves plastic bags.

Bottled water and plastic bags are a luxury, why not luxury tax?

I would not support a ban. However, resource should be put together to educate the general public about the envrionmental impact from the plastic bottles and one use grocery shopping bags.

i moved to a small town. the water is sourced from a local river. on a good day the water is brown enough to stain the shine off the potty and smells and tastes about like the stuff that normally goes in the potty.

sorry guys, i buy them by the case because even at its worst, it is better than the poison out the tap.

The plasticisers (spelling?) are very bad for you. I would support the ban.

plus i live in south florida the tap water pipes are so close to the ground the water smells like bleach and taste gross.. i dont even want to get started what floats in on the beach from the ocean.. so no.. i need my bottle water.. i dont care if it is glass

I support the ban because I see way to many people using the same bottle for other kinds of drinks,
like ice tea,,juice with water,,crystal light drink with water, and this is all the same bottle they just rinse out and use over and over again.

I would absolutely support a ban on bottled water. A deposit is only a partial step in the right direction. Encouraging people to recycle won't solve the problem. The bottles will still be produced which requires LOTS of energy and oil. The product still has to be shipped requiring even more oil and resulting in emissions from the trucks. And even if 100% of the bottles are recycled, recycling takes energy as well. A reusable bottle is manufactured one time, shipped to the store one time and that's it.
If your tap water isn't to your liking, buy a filter. This planet isn't going to continue to support the abuse we keep doling out.

I think banning plastic bottles & bags is excessive. I think a deposit system would be much more effective. I shop at a grocery store that only sells plastic bags for a nickel (with their shopper's card) or for a dime (without such card) and has no other means of carrying groceries. And it has worked to slow down the use of plastic bags. I see all types of people from moms, granddads, construction workers, who are bringing their own bags. I think it would work for bottles, as well. People still have the availability, but would have to pay for it. I would bet a lot more people would be using their own reusable bottles. And that says nothing to the issue of plastic bottles being harmful

If people knew all the facts about tap water they would not vote to ban bottled water. There are three good reasons. Many large cities use RECYCLED water, and by that, I mean
reclaimed sewage water. Residents of Orange County, Calif are drinking it now. There is a percentage of prescription drugs that they can't filter out, so people in these cities are getting second hand use of it. as well as urine and feces. I saw it on TV and saw the filtration system at the plant. Now, does this appeal to you? Another thing is the chlorine cities put in the water. Did you realize that is dangerous? Type in "chlorine" in your browser and you will get an education.
Some people who live in the country have wells that are brackish and some have been contaminated by pesticides used in farming. There are many things to consider before jumping on the "ban bottled water bandwagon."

When you purchase packs of bottled water you're really paying for the advertisement, packaging, and transportation costs. One gallon of tap water costs less than one penny. I've visited a water reclamation plant system before and I am aware that the water that is recycled cannot be reused as drinking water by law. If we were to use recycled water then we have to let it sit in a spreading basin for about 4-5 years. Within this time frame the water soaks underground where it becomes safe to drink again. Essentially, when we purchase bottled water we're paying for tap water with some added minerals. The advertisement says it all. Best "Drinking water" from (location of the river/city). If the taste of chlorine bothers you then just give it a stir or let it sit for a while. Tap water also varies from city to city. If your city isn't doing it's part by providing you clean drinking water then let them know! In the end, tap water is safer and cheaper to drink.

The reason I like bottled water is the taste. If you lived here in Las Vegas you would understand. The water tastes awful. I sure the water is fine, but I can't stand the taste. I try to recyle plastic whenever I can to help the environment.

unavailibilty of potable water every where has given rise to an industry - bottled water

proper portable water availibilty at al publice places is must before you bann the new full sining industry

this industry has given birth to new problem of plastice waste, which is more serious than the availablity of water to individualls

this a fucking joke
i dont trust water inToronto Ont Can
ban it what nexst tell us when we can doit

I'm not sure if I support a all out ban, but how about 4 cents a bottle. Or something to make it worth the while of enterprising young and old folks that can use a dime. Make it high enough that one will think twice befor we just buy a bottle and toss it out.

have you turned Communist...The Rothschilds drink bottled water they drink Mountain Valley in glass bottles...that is the only kind of water they drink...and he is the master of all the conservation...If you don't want to use it then don't...but don't you put controls on others...by a ban...can we not just just lead by example...be more responsible and show others to be responsible...instead of banning...and no more laws...and banns...sheez...

I would NOT support a ban on bottled water. I would support a tax or fee as well as one for the use of plastic bags. There are several cases (Ireland, for one) where the usage went down significantly when a tax was imposed. Personal responsibility is a big buzz phrase these days, but for many, the definition of personal responsibility is relying on the government or other groups (such as higher income earners) to shoulder that responsibility. We should have EQUAL expectations of all people.

Absolutely not. Though I usually carry my own bottle of tap water, sometimes I run out or am not able to carry it. My husband does not carry a bag in which to carry a bottle, so often buys water as a healthy alternative to soda or juice. I want this option to remain available for us and our children. We should not be forced to buy soda/juice if we need to quench our thirst. Also, there are communities such as several in Nevada and Illinois that have arsenic in their tap water. There are also many people who have sensitivities to fluoride and chlorine and other additives, and should be able to buy bottled water. Some places I've been, such as some places near and in Los Angeles, just have terrible tasting and warm water. In fact they've found rocket fuel in Los Angeles drinking water.

I support public campaigns to promote using tap water and our own bottles, or environmental taxes to cut down the consumption of disposable plastic bottles, but it is just ridiculous to be so one-sided as to ban it.