Maggie, a question comes to mind here. Are you buying bottled water for a particular reason? or just for convenience? There are several good water purification systems available to plumb in under your kitchen sink that will give you excellent drinking water. You can fill all the water bottles you want and keep them in the frig. The system will pay for itself in a year or less of buying bottled water. The one we recommend and design into our kitchens is Everpure[this company is world-wide and provides the water filter systems for the major soft drink companies, resturants here and abroad, Corporation worldwide, etc. Here's " An interesting fact" - American consumers pay more for bottled water per day than we are now paying for a gallon of gas [the price of which we are all gritching about] Food for thought. Amy in the Ozarks

Amy,
I honestly don't buy that much bottled water.
We have 4 daughters who played soccer and learned real early how expensive it can be. In fact we used the big pop bottles in the freezer filled 3/4 with water that froze. You added water before practice and the ice slowly melted and kept the water cold. Gosh haven't thought of that in awhile. Had to be careful how you opened the freezer or they could fall out.
We are lucky that hubby can drink regular water.
We do refill the bottles but try to limit the number of times. I buy 2 six packs once a month and dispose of the old bottles. Worry about the chemicals from the bottles breaking down over time. Maybe I am overly paranoid but won't reheat food in plastic takeout containers either.

I was asking about the prescription for those who need water with them on a consistant basis. We have been caught without and have paid $2.50 for a small bottle.
Totally agree with you that the cost is higher than gasoline.
Great suggestion for a purifier.
Thanks Amy

Maggie

I also read in some bulletin from some reliable hospital that you ae never supposed to put water bottles in freezer as it breaks down the plastic and releases chemicals into the water, same as microwaving with plastic.

Amy,
Tell us more about this Everpure system. How and where is it installed? On faucet? About what does it cost? Who does one hire to install it?

Take care,
Eileen

For refillable water bottles we use only those made of nalgene, available widely. These do not freely leach the harmful chemicals as do the less expensive plastics. There is much information about this material on the net.

Best yet, but heavier, are bottles made of stainless steel.

More Food For Thought!

Assuming that the majority of us are "baby boomers", isn't it amazing that we grew up in a generation that smoked and injested almost every drug under the sun, and now we are worried about what's in the water??? (Paul Harvey)

I don't want to sound facetious, but humour is the key to the soul. You know what I mean? (Martin Lawrence)

I remember when gas was .23 cents a gallon, and bottled water was almost decimated by the introduction of chlorine and fluoride in public water. In the 1960's bottled water was srtuggling to survive after having been a necessity up to the late 1920's.

Some pastic bottles start to biodegrade after a few weeks in direct sunlight.

I buy bottle water only to get the bottle, not the water. I ussually reuse the bottle until it springs a leak (ussually 3-4 weeks). Also keep a six pack in the car in case we get stuck and do not have access to water. Have started using an 8oz bottle from Target (a soft palstic bottle from the "travel" aisle, made in China). It leaks from the top, so will try the REI bottle as suggested by Kris. I am surprised, that this topic was not covered by the social worker at Kaiser when I had treatment. Every single person who has had radiation for troat cancer needs to have water at all times. And if in fact there are so many of us, why have the major health organizations not come up with a working solution for their patient to carry water? I would think that this is even a more difficult problem for the women if dresses are worn.

Pieter

Eileen, I will get the website for the Everpure company on Monday and post it to you. The system installs under the kitchen sink or bathroom sink, or at a point where the main waterline comes into your house. It depends on how much water you want to filter [cooking, drinking, etc.] There are several choices, from point of use filters to whole house filters. It's something you have to decide for yourself. It truly does make bad tasting water taste good and does a great purification job. Any good plumber can install the system. WE are about to put a system in the home of a local Internist who is convinced that the lime and minerals in our water are a contributing factor to arthritis in his older patients. Amy in the Ozarks.

This has been a very informative discussion.
A lot of food, or water, for thought.
Thanks all.
Maggie

Okay, let me add one more note to the discussion on the matter of a "holster" for your water bottle.
Many sporting goods stores carry just such a holster in the running/walking section. It will usually include a reusable bottle similar to those that fit in the water bottle holders on bicycles.
Bike shops and running specialty stores would be another source to check out. The on-line fitness outfits like performancebike.com and roadrunner.com, as well as amazon.com (don't forget to use the foundation's link to amazon)would also be a good source.

The one I use is made by Nathan, and holds the bottle in the small of my back, and at an angle to make it easy to remove and replace. I bought a couple of extra bottles from the sale bin at a local bike shop, and keep them in the frig.
It's really convenient, and keeps my hands free.

Good health,

Chuck

Hi Chuck, it has ben a few years since I have made a concerted effort to find a holster/bottle carry. Will need to check out some local sports stores. The last time I did that, all I could find were bottles larger than 8oz. I never considered carrying one on my back; I always attached it to my belt. Hence the issue of not more than 8oz, if I wanted to keep my pants on. Most of the holsters, were collapsable, I was looking for one that stayed open so it is easy to get the bottle back in when hands are full.

Thanks Chuck,

Pieter