I’m an avid bottled water fan so I happen to notice the distinctions in the bottled water between USA and KSA. I notice the differences in taste naturally but also the distinctions in packaging too. For starters, the water bottles packaged and sold in Saudi Arabia are actually made of much more durable materials than the ones in the States. I asked about this and was advised that with the strong emphasis in the United States on recycling and environmental friendly products, that is why the bottled water bottles in the States are not as firm and durable as compared to the ones in Saudi.
I am told that one can drink the water from the tap in most places in Saudi but must admit other than when I brush my teeth, I tend to favor the bottled water. Especially when you think that the tap water in Saudi likely comes from the sea and is processed through a desalinization plant. To be fair, I usually drink bottled water in the States as well although I believe the water is more “potable” or drinkable from the tap in the United States as again compared to Saudi. However I learned that in the state of Louisiana and especially after the hurricanes that have been through there, individuals are recommended to drink bottled water.
When shopping for bottled water in Saudi, similar to the USA there is a whole aisle in the grocery store dedicated to the many choices one can choose from. Personally I like the flavor of the ‘Qassim’ brand water. And yes, soda water and Perrier are also available if one wishes too. I’ve been away from the USA too long to know now which brand I may prefer over another. I’ve been sampling different ones while here trying a different brand when I’ve gone shopping.
Now some may be reading this post and thinking, what’s the big deal about bottled water?! I can say that after having lived for several years in Saudi Arabia, one does not leave the house without carrying a bottle or two of water. Due to the climate in the Kingdom and particularly during the searing summer months, It is very important to hydrate and to do so often. Naturally this makes one more aware and places a greater emphasis on water. Of course one could drink other bottled drinks instead but water is really the best one overall to quench the thirst.
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[...] Original post by American Bedu [...]
[...] Original post by American Bedu [...]
Hmmm…I have mixed feelings on bottled water, as university studies in biology and pollution have steered me away from it due to landfill issues and potential problems due to chemicals leaching into the water from the plastic container (if let sit too long, especially in the sun or warmer temperatures). However, I do see the potential benefits bottled water may have in areas like Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, or areas like in Saudi Arabia, where water isn’t as plentiful. Personally myself, I much prefer buying a Brita filter for the home and using a reusable bottle to take water with me and refilling on the go when need be. Cheaper and nicer for the environment
I’m a Brita fan too. However in some places it is insufficient.
Connoisseurs of bottled water can (rightfully) taste the difference between say Volvic and Evian, Perrier and San Pellegrino, Sidi Ali and Sidi Harazem, etc. Also, many don’t realize that bottled waters have a natural +/- artificial mineral content that may wreck havoc with an individual’s electrolyte balance–and for babies this is even more important.
For hydration (rather than electrolyte replacement) water is better than other fluids, and anything with caffeine just dehydrates–not that that keeps me from my beloved tea!
oh yes, the Brita filters are excellent. My son has one. I’m not sure if they are available or in use in Saudi though.
With all the dozens of varieties of bottled water here your always going to have those that taste pleasant and those that are just horrible…problem with me is I generally just grab a bottle from the supermarket completely forgetting about how it tasted to me before…whether nice or not so nice…and end up buying the not so nice time and again…just cant pay attention to that sort of thing…grrr!!!
Nice thing here in Bahrain is that many houses will have an outside water fountain attatched to their homes…like a form of charity to the community…and in this hot blazing summer weather its always nice to come across some clean cool water to drink.
Not sure if you are aware of it or not, but many of the suppliers of bottled water in Saudi Arabia get their water from desalination plants. Only a few get the water from artesian wells. I am certain that Nova comes from an artesian source just outside of Riyadh. If you are interested I can find out which other ones are from an artesian source.
I’m with Mel and Chiara on the Brita… but my main reason for that is, according to my dentist, bottled water doesn’t have floride. When I do buy bottled water, I will refill the bottle with tap water several times if I can.
Monica–excellent point about fluoridation especially for children! Tap water in major cities in many countries is totally acceptable–and tastes better refrigerated (even if allowed to warm somewhat).
I like the idea of outside water fountains, private and municipal. They encourage people to rehydrate with water rather than purchased beverages (which is why merchants don’t want them around).
Public service warning to US customers: “Clear Canadian” a watery looking beverage in a bottle has a high sugar and artificial flavour content! LOL
What is wrong with desalinated sea water?? As long as it’s purified I don’t care. I rather liked the slightly salty taste of the water in Bahrain (I love Bahrain). In Canada there is a push to ban bottled water. We don’t need it. The bottles are polluting (and we may be polluted from the plastics).
There have been recent studies that suggest floride is NOT good for children. I have fought against floride in water since I was a young adult and now it seems I may have been right.
There are also new studies out that say carbonated beverages are damaging our kidneys so stay away from the fizzy stuff too!
Too many things to worry about these days, eh?
Love the variation in your posts.
About the bottled water in the U.S., don’t know when was the last time you had bottled water here, but there was report couple of years ago of hour even the bottled water is just filtered water which you can get from water tap anyways.
The taste of Dasani (by Coca Cola) is the worst. Makes you not wanna drink water.
The most reliable, best designed studies including meta-analyses (analysis of a large number of studies) shows water fluoridation to be safe, and effective in protecting against tooth decay, in both adults and children. The only side effect is dental fluorosis, a cosmetic problem which can be caused by any form of fluoridation including in toothpaste. The only real problem is for infants–in formula preparation, or too early use of fluoridated toothpaste.
Reducing tooth decay has many other health benefits: preventing tooth loss, infection, secondary infection (nb cardiac). Overall a great public health intervention.
Someone mentioned that there are water fountains outside homes in Bahrain. Is that in a specific area? I don’t remember seeing one.
Dasani is a marketer’s invention to make you drink Coke!
Aamer…that was me….well I dont know if its in a particular area or not…Ive seen them in places where Ive been…mosly in the Muharraq/Hidd area. They are like drinking fountains or faucets built into the outside of the house usually…(older models) newer models are generally those stainless steel asssemblies just hooked up in front of the house. They all have sweet water.
With all due respect, it’s consumers like you that are the problem with that industry.
Even though tap water almost everywhere is touted as equivalent (in taste/cleanliness) to bottled water, you still support the $1 billion bottled water industry, the sole purpose of which is to destroy the environment.
Screw living like a hippie and using all-natural-everything…..if everyone just stops drinking bottled water, many problems will be solved overnight.
In all this talk of water bottles; where do the KSA bottles go once they have been used? Are they recycled; or are they like in Yemen strewn over their landscape that is quickly losing its beauty to plastic?
They are strewn all over the place in Saudi, Inal. It’s a real shame. Recycling just has not caught on yet in KSA although efforts are being made.
Hope there is a business minded Saudi out there who will see the benefit of having factories that recycle plastic into other uses- and help clean up a country that like all others deserves to be clean, if not completely green.
I did do an earlier post on recycling in general:
http://americanbedu.com/2008/11/07/saudi-arabias-stance-on-recycling/
IMPORTANT NOTE!
The majority of tap water in Saudi Arabia IS NOT safe to drink. It contains high amounts of salt.
Don’t believe me? Fill a glass with tap water and let it evaporate over the course of the day and see how much residue sticks to the outer walls.
Bottled water or water filters are a must in Saudi Arabia.
Brita filters are available in UAE (Abu Dhabi), and help but are not adequate for desalination. Drinking too salty water will mess your fluid/eloctrolyte balance but good.
http://www.brita.net/ae/index.html?&L=24
I know Saudi Arabia has many commercially available filters that can purify water to drinkable status.
They’re about as big as two suitcases taped together though!
I always go for Hada, Nova, Nestle and Arwa…after that Al Qaseem brand..
but I’d rather walk out of a grocery store than buy Hanna water.. it just increases my thirst.
I am lucky enough to live in an area with abundant fresh wonderful water. I don’t drink bottled water except when it is the only water available. Recent studies done on water from my state in the U.S. (Michigan) show that the water directly from the tap here is often better and cleaner than bottled water. Funnily enough, a great deal of bottle water sold in the states comes from the same wells as Michigan municipal water. There are water bottling plants all over Michigan that get water from the public supply, bottle it, and sell it!
It is very neat that some homes in Bahrain have fountains! That is a lovely idea in such a hot place.
Interesting DW…we usually get either Al Qaseem or Nova! I am not sure if I’ve seen Hada brand.
The bottle water tastes differently in SA and US? Is it due to the salt?
Diana–all bottled waters taste different because of their different mineral content, and to a lesser extent bottling. Apparently Saudi has a problem with the limits of desalination, but again one bottled water any where will taste different than another.
@Diana – I don’t believe it is due to salt per se although all water
in Saudi has to go through desalination plants. I think it is more to
the manner in which it is processed as well as the bottles being of
differing materials too.
i think think tap water is good for you too because bottle water takes time and it is the same except it comes in bottles at stores.
Hi Sara,
I will agree to disagree with you that tap water may be better. Much depends on the location and how tap water is or is not filtrated. There are some tap waters around the world that do have pollutants, chlorine and other chemicals that it is better not to drink the water. In fact, I became very ill one time in Indonesia and it was because I drank local water without being aware of that fact.