Not so fast on water bottles

Before West Dundee puts taxpayer money into a program to buy residents reusable plastic water bottles, which many voters may already own, there's still time to talk to Illinois' local water bottlers.

The bottled water industry has a varied, diversified role in the West Dundee community. There's home and office delivery services, which bring both spring water and purified water to consumers in 5-gallon containers for water coolers. These containers are resterilized and used up to 50 times before they are recycled.

The single-serve bottled water companies do not compete with tap water, they compete on the grocer's shelf with soft drinks, coffees, juices and milk products. Many people on the go often just want a nice, fresh bottle of water. If they recycle the new lighter weight water bottles, they are taking care of both their health and the environment.

Let's not ignore the fact that the U.S. recycling rate for plastic is climbing fast, and at 27 percent for 2008 is at a 10-year high. That's a 9.8-percent improvement over 2007's rate of 24.6 percent.

We ask that West Dundee listen to its local water bottlers and not take any unreasonable and costly actions the only muddy the waters of doing what is right for your health and your local economy.

Tom Lauria

Vice President

International Bottled Water Association

Alexandria, Va.