Bottled Water: An Issue in the Shadows As people grab for that pre-chilled bottle of water in gas stations, do they stop to think about the issues that are carried with it? Arthur von Wiesenberger stated that the need for social status is what caused the birth of the bottled water industry. Along with the need for social status raised the belief that bottled water is healthier and safer than water from the tap (Davies). Although believing that bottled water is healthier than tap water is a misconception, there is no doubt about the environmental impact that bottled water totes with it (Howard). Since the introduction of bottled water in the 1970’s, sales have risen and show no sign in stopping (Fishman). In 2005, Americans spent nearly $9 billion on bottled water (Davies). In one year the number nearly doubled, jumping to $15 billion. On a global level, approximately $60 billion is spent on bottled water (Knowledge@W.P. Carey). In relation to tap water, it costs about 10,000 times more to produce the water in bottles (Neal and Thompson). Americans often pay up to four times the price of gasoline for bottled water when they can have tap water for next to nothing (Fishman). The bottled water industry is expected to become the number one beverage in the nation by 2011 (Knowledge@W.P. Carey). “If you were cool, you were drinking bottled water,” stated Ed Slate, Evian’s marketing vice president in 1990 (Fishman). Ever since seeing their favorite celebrities carrying bottles of designer water, Americans have been drawn into the trend. Although it seems relatively trivial, Americans seem to have a drive to be seen with the newest brand of bottled water (Knowledge@W.P. Carey). The desire for bottled water shows our need for immediate satisfaction and our narcissism (Fishman). A 2001, study performed by the World Wildlife Fund found that most consumers’ link bottled water