It is portable and convenient, but is it really better than tap water and how true are the marketing claims?
Getting clean water in Singapore is as easy as turning on the tap, yet retail outlets are awash with a wide array of bottled water.
Data from research firm Euro- monitor International shows the thirst for bottled water here is growing.
Consumers spent $134 million on it in 2015, nearly 24 per cent more than in 2010.
More than 12 brands of bottled water are sold here and more have recently been added to the shelves.
Two brands of alkaline water were introduced at the Sheng Siong supermarket chain last year.
Alkaline water has higher-than- usual pH levels and is touted to have health benefits, though these have not been proven.
$134mThe amount consumers here spent on bottled water in 2015, nearly 24 per cent more than in 2010, according to data from research firm Euromonitor International 1,000How many times cheaper tap water is, compared to bottled water, according to national water agency PUB |
In fact, as brands come up with new ways to make their products stand out, the question is: Do their marketing claims hold water?
And ultimately, should one be drinking bottled water at all?
Experts say there are differences in the sources and treatment process, but it is difficult to say if one type is better than another.
They also emphasise that tap water in Singapore is safe for drinking.
GOOD, BAD OR PLAIN GIMMICK?
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) regulates the import of bottled water into Singapore.
AVA classifies brands into five types, based on the source and the way the water is treated. They are natural mineral water, packaged drinking water, mineralised drinking water, distilled water and spring water.
Dr Wuang Shy Chyi, domain lead for water technology at Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Applied Science, said each type of water comes with its own set of claims.
For example, due to their natural sources, mineral water can contain trace amounts of elements.
Some, like arsenic, can be beneficial in tiny quantities.
But others may not be good for the body.
“Some minerals, like fluoride, may also be present in quantities that are not acceptable to certain groups of people,” Dr Wuang said.
They include infants and young children, who already get fluoride that is added to tap water.
A 2012 study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that children in high-fluoride areas had significantly lower IQ scores than those who lived in low-fluoride areas.
“So, while it’s good to have natural minerals, it is also important to check the contents,” she added.
While it may be an “over-generalisation” to determine which type of water is better, Dr Wuang said that a greater awareness of each type of drinking water can potentially help “consumers make informed choices”.
Associate Professor Richard Webster from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences said that water marketed as artesian or untouched by humans is not better.
“It is just a marketing gimmick,” he said. “There is no real difference from other bottled water.”
The benefits of a new entrant – water with added oxygen – are also unproven, said Prof Webster.
“We get enough oxygen from breathing air, so adding it to water will not make any difference,” he added.
Home-grown water-treatment specialist Hyflux is working with Changi General Hospital (CGH) to see if its oxygenated Elo Water can help diabetic patients achieve better glycaemic control.
A study conducted by Harvard Medical School and Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, found that diabetic patients have 10 to 15 per cent lower tissue oxygen levels, compared with non-diabetic patients. The study was published in 2008.
It was previously reported that studies have found that Elo Water improved oxygen levels in animal and human tissue.
For the consumer, however, price appears to be the main criterion for choosing bottled water.
A FairPrice spokesman said sales for the budget range of bottled water has increased.
Similarly, in Sheng Siong, the cheapest bottled water is the most popular.
But the fact that the water is bottled can raise environmental concerns.
The website of non-profit organisation The Water Project states that these plastic bottles take more than 1,000 years to biodegrade, and they also produce toxic fumes if incinerated.
It also takes an estimated 3 litres of water to package a 1-litre bottle. And bottled water burns a bigger hole in the pocket too.
According to national water agency PUB, tap water can be 1,000 times cheaper than bottled water.
A 600ml bottle of drinking water costs between 50 cents and $1, while tap water costs 0.1 cent for the same amount.
Giving his assessment of tap water in Singapore, Dr Webster said: “It is better than what is available in many other countries.”
Family spends $200 monthly on bottled water
Pull back the sofa at the Goh family home and you will find close to 100 bottles of water stacked neatly against the wall.
Accounts executive Francis Goh and his family do not drink tap water at home. When they make drinks like tea or coffee, they run the water through a filtration system before using it.
Mr Goh, 63, spends close to $200 a month on bottled water and the family members go through at least 12 1.5-litre bottles a week.
He also buys 500ml bottles of water for his four children to take along when they go out.
The Goh family made the switch to bottled water in the early 2000s.
Daughter, Sarah, 21, an undergraduate, said her aunt in the United States had convinced them to switch due to concerns over chlorine levels in tap water.
But Mr Goh’s children do drink tap water when they are out. Son, Gabriel, 24, also an undergraduate, said: “Water is still water. The idea is to decrease the chlorine intake.”
Experts say the level of chlorine in Singapore’s tap water is within acceptable limits.
In 2016, chlorine levels in all the waterworks ranged from 2.04 to 2.98mg per litre, well within the World Health Organisation’s limits of 5mg per litre.
The Gohs believe that since making the switch, they have been falling sick less often.
The younger Mr Goh said his family is willing to spend money on bottled water for peace of mind.
Asked if they would ever give up drinking bottled water, he said: “If it gets too expensive, yes, of course.”
Until then, they are happy to continue drinking bottled water. They buy Evian and Vittel mineral water in 1.5-litre bottles and Ice Mountain in 500ml bottles.
“We like the taste of Evian more. The small bottles are expensive,” said Mr Goh.
Correction note: In our earlier story, we said that a study conducted by Harvard Medical School and Erasmus University Medical Centre found that diabetic patients have 10 to 50 per cent lower tissue oxygen levels, compared with non-diabetic patients. This is incorrect. Diabetic patients have 10 to 15 per cent lower tissue oxygen levels, compared with non-diabetic patients. We are sorry for the error.
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