Bottled water is a hundred times more expensive than tap water, we need three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water, and bottled water requires 1,000 to 2,000 times more energy than tap water production. In addition, there is the harmful impact of plastic bottles on the environment and the fact that plastic is made from fossil fuels. Nevertheless, Flanders is a top consumer of bottled water at a European level.
Researchers from the University of Antwerp, in collaboration with Water-Link and the Flemish Knowledge Center for Water (Vlakwa), found that the Flemish do not like tap water. They find it unhealthier and less tasty than bottled water. When it comes to water that is recycled from wastewater, the mistrust is even greater. “Bottled water is still seen as a form of status,” says Dirk Halet, strategic coordinator at Vlakwa. “It’s the norm in social affairs and restaurant visitors are willing to pay several euros for a well-known watermark.”
–
