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Hmm, what about getting a soda charger of some sort, and using filtered water? The website www.sodaclub.com offers a fizz-density soda charger, so you can have as bubbly a drink as you so desire. I often wonder if side-by-side I could actually taste the minerals in mineral water, given the appropriate amount of fizz.

With regards to the restaurants switching from bottled water to tap: I don't want to sound cynical, but I'd suspect they're just doing that because it's cheaper for them.

As for my tap water, I've seen it come out of the tap chunky style far too many times to ever drink it - even with filtration. I'll stick to Poland Spring.

But you could probably replace Perrier & Pelligrino with simple club soda that's local (or almost).

BTW, my grandmother used to have a gadget that turned regular water into club soda. You put a little tablet in the top (nozzle), then filled it with water, and dispensed the club soda directly into your glass.

I don't know what it was called though - or even if you can still get the gadgets or the fizzy tablets.

Really, just make your own seltzer. Check out http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/g182/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C15%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cseltzer&cm%5Fsrc=SCH and http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=117893.

- I just bought a soda siphon from an Austrian manufacturer (isi) at Zabar's.

Cost:
50.98 for the siphon 10 Soda chargers @ 7.98 tax = $ 73.65.

- It's not pretty but we've been using a glass carafe anyway since we'd switched from Pellegrino to Poland Spring plastic bottles which cost $0.99 tax at freshdirect.

Everyone we know who's ever used a soda siphon didn't stick with it. We don't remember why. But that was back in the 80s. And back in Germany where we had a car.

(it seems quite complex to filter the water and then carbonate it ... just to get a carafe of sparkling water .. but life doesn't ever get simpler with civilization, does it?)

- We have tried to get used to still water (filtered tap). Possible, but ... you know.

You should start drinking water from my hometown then.

http://www.saratogaspringwater.com/

it's only 3 hours north of the city, much more local.

Yes -- Saratoga water! Never understood why it's not bigger here in NYC -- it's excellent water!

Maybe you should get a hold of Walter the Seltzer Man?

http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/driveway/archive/2003/sep/030915.html

While I think ordinary bottled water is a total scam when we have clean drinking water at our taps, for a "special" drink, I don't see how bottled water is different from bottled wine or juice or any other beverage. The different fizzy mineral waters do actually have noticeably different flavours (I don't like the bitterness of perrier, but I do like san p). While you might be able to make a nice substitute, you won't be able to make a flavour duplicate.

It's definately greener to drink from tap instead of from the bottle. Until my husband (Engineer) worked at our local Water Authority for an internship while still at college we had no idea, that despite the somtimes off colored and off tasting tap water, it is far better for you then bottled. They have much tighter regulations here (Erie County) than the FDA has on what goes into the bottle.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1209-10.htm

I still use a filter to fill up a pitcher and throw in a some lemon slices mostly for taste.

I don't know if he goes to Manhattan, but there is still a selzer delivery guy in Brooklyn. He comes regularly to deliver more selzer and pick up the empties. The bottles are lovely old-school glass numbers, with the charger/spray nozzle thingy at the top..

No, unfortunately, I don't know this guy's name, I just admired his bottles at an aquaintance's house. Somebody must know how to find him?

I'm a big fan of grocery-store seltzer. It's fizzy and sugar- free and only 50 cents a bottle at my local KeyFoods.

my tapwater isnt tasty enough for that. I enjoy the taste of Pellegrino too much to give it up. My entire house is 'green'; low flow showerheads, cfls, getting wiring ready for solar panels and the like, but I don't think I could give this up. Something has got to give?

GothamTomato, bottled water is a HUGE profit center for restaurants, so switching to tap is a major deal for them. Overall, the big thinking on the bottled water issue is that 1) tap is lowest impact; 2) if you must drink bottled water, minimize the amount of distance the water has to travel to reduce the carbon emissions created during transportation. So Saratoga is OK, Fiji Water a MAJOR no-no.

That being said, I'm not really sure if a soda siphon is that big of an improvement. I used to have one and recall that it used non-recyclable metal cartridges that were made in Germany. So instead of throwing out a glass bottle, you'd now be throwing out a hunk of metal that also had to be winged across the Atlantic. Sometimes you just can't win!

I've got a spiffy little gadget from Soda Club that carbonates water. Each CO2 canister is good for about 110 liters and then you send it back and get a new canister. I haven't bought any soda/sparkling water in 3 months.

The saratoga water, especially the sparkling, is a really great alternative to the imported sparkling. The bubbles are tiny so you won't miss what you're giving up, unlike seltzers.

Here's a link to an article about the Brooklyn Seltzer man:

http://tinyurl.com/ynrcjx

I quit buying imported mineral water a few months ago because green bottles (and all of the affordable ones come in green bottles here) are not recyclable in my area.

I have been able to totally quit bottled (non-mineral) water and adapted to always filling up my nalgene. But I think the small steps approach to green is ok and realistic also, and I know that I can't just give up my Pellegrino. I'll stop the others --Perrier, etc.--but San P is my one real indulgence.

Time had a piece on water drinking recently, not sure that it helps in your search for ways to do this at home, but all the stuff about different variants of water may be of interest.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1630570,00.html

I'm sticking with tap...though I have an on/off relationship with a brita filter...(currently off)

What bums me out is that you can't take bottles of water through security at the airports anymore. Then they get you on the other side if you buy a new one. I always have a bottle of water with me, so it's very wasteful and costly and you can't use your own nalgene bottle.

Pixie, of course you can use your own bottle when you fly. Just fill it up at the water fountain after you go through security.

I will admit I like a bottle of Apollinaris every once in a while as a substitute for wine. However, on a daily basis I drink our fine-quality NYC tap water.

A.T. should do a series on our NYC tap water and where it comes from and what's done to it. The first step in being green is understanding where the things we consume come from.

Water is the most important thing we consume, after air.

Ah, let's not forget: mineral water and seltzer (soda water) are two very different drinks. Even though they are both bubbly, you can't just replace one for the other. One is naturally carbonated and is subtly flavored by the minerals it contains. The other is just carbonated filtered water. I'm a huge fan of both, but prefer mineral water whenever I can get it. Anyone know a good NYC producer of mineral water?

in my first apartment, in all its "owned-by-slum-lord" glory, had tap water that left red rust rings all over anything it sat in for more than 2 minutes. i didn't come near that with a ten foot pole. i bought the huge jugs of water you get at the grocery sto for 1 dollah and carted one on each arm back to the apt - on foot - to have clean drinking water. for showering i was s.o.l. i use a pur water filter (inherited by bf's recently married and moved sister) and the supposedly filtered water that comes out of the fridge. the only time i will drink bottled water is when i am not at home and SEVERELY dehydrated - which is rare - and then i drink smartwater because it makes me feel good (and i do realize that it is probably a placeabo effect...).

elizabeth in AL, sounds like the hot water tank needed flushing.

i was going to recommend Saratoga Springs water as well. It's local (about as local as any water you get in NYC, even the tap water is imported from upstate) and it's naturally carbonated.

Glad that you all feel this way. It means there's more San Pellegrino and Panna for me!!!!

glad to see this topic getting so much attention here on AT (one of my favorite blogs!).

it is truly a shame that the beverage industry has so pulled the wool over our eyes in terms of how we perceive our drinking water, and nice to see a shift in the other direction. consider as well that (at least here in NY) bottles from non-carbonated drinks (including water) do not have a cash deposit and thus do not get recycled at nearly the rates they could. there is currently a bill in the assembly known as the Bigger Better Bottle bill, which would update our bottle deposit rules; hopefully it will be passed (despite opposition from - you guessed it - the beverage industry)...

I have never seen a single person who was not homeless returning a bottle in Manhattan. In the rest of the northeast, people return their bottles. The bottle deposit law acts as a redistributor of wealth.

Anybody else notice how the homeless specialize in cardboard, bottles, scrap metal, books, etc.? A bottle gleaner won't touch scrap metal or cardboard, etc.

Here's another take on letting go of bottled water http://www.beliefnet.com/story/206/story_20645_1.html

I have been using a Brita and lemon for the last year after years of bottled water. I switched over cause my apartment building didnt recycle and it was a hassle getting the water bottles from the market to my apartment sans car. Plus I am not sure Poland Springs is really better than tap!

can't. give up. gerolsteiner :(

MrGreen - that's not true. The bottle can't be larger than 3 ounces. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

Pixie -- isn't that that you can't bring more than 3 oz of *liquid*? I've never had a problem bringing an empty nalgene through security and filling it at a fountain at the gate. Have you had a different experience?

I admire anyone's efforts to reduce consumption and energy use. I've been dedicated to recycling furniture, clothing, and more; "lucky" for me that so many people dispose of perfectly good stuff so quickly. If we're serious about greener living, and I believe that Maxwell is, then it makes complete sense to buy water locally and not add to the huge costs of importing it. (Hmm, does the same hold true for wine and cheese?)

Anyone else notice the MrGreen frequently gets his facts wrong?

Of course you can bring an empty container through security, it could be a five-gallon bucket, and then fill it up at the water fountain. That's what I said.

If you really want to see the TSA wonks freak out, try to bring through a bottle of FROZEN water. That's a solid, not a liquid. Only liquids and gels over 3 ounces are banned.

Just get to the airport an hour early.

They consider human flesh a solid for their purposes even though we're more than half water.

The whole problem with the way our airport security works is that they're looking for bombs instead of bombers. The Israelis know how to do it. It's just a matter of time before there's another airplane taken out by a terrorist.

does anyone else find it ironic that we're talking about cutting down on CO2 emissions and at the same time figuring out new and improved ways to introduce CO2 into our water? people are bizarre.

someone i met recently went so far as to buy a water testing kit, and discovered that her tap water and poland spring yielded exactly the same results! not sure whether that means poland spring actually IS tap water... but seems to mean that it doesn't matter...

Juliettdix, I bet you wish you could edit that snarky little post now! I love it!!!

I know the original post was about mineral water, not bottled. But since we're now also discussing the latter, bottled waters are not tested for bacteria (unlike tap water), so many brands have more harmful bacteria than regular tap water does. An expert I spoke to at Harvard mentioned that while she doesn't recommend moms boil tap water before mixing it with formula--unnecessary, because of local monitoring--she DOES recommend moms boil bottled water if they're using it, because of the bacteria possibility. Interesting, no?

mrgreen - i should come to you with all my house problems - i don't know anything about it and my landlords wouldn't do anything even if they did!

elizabeth in AL, Google is All-Knowing. Kinda like god except for the ads.

http://tinyurl.com/2r5nb6

So what is the final verdict on soda siphons? I'm intrigued (I've never used one), but would want to find one where the chargers are recyclable or reusable. Anyone want to comment on their experiences and level of satisfaction?

What do restaurants do to carbonate their waters/sodas? Is that at all feasible to do at home?

I'll have to try bringing an empty Nalgene bottle through security (this weekend, in fact). I was understanding the rules differently. I've tossed (usually recycled) quite a few water bottles now at the security line. If it's true, thanks for enlightening me--doh!

isi soda siphon ---

don't do it. Carbonation is not good or lasting, water has a funny smell, and, as noted above, you have to use a cartridge for every liter your carbonate.

So: it's not cheaper than bottled, not greener ... not as good.

But: who wants a soda club machine cluttering up the kitchen counter?

Saratoga Springs water IS mineral water. They have a Mineral Analysis Page on their website, so you can see exactly what they're drinking. It's a shame you can hardly find it in NYC.

For years, we have been using Pur pitchers and keeping them in the fridge. Tastes much better than NY tap water, it's much less likely to be contaminated with bacteria (if you keep your pitchers clean and filters changed, that is), and reduces waste. I don't understand why anyone would choose to buy bottled water to keep at home, rather than filter your own tap water.

Back before recycling took hold, I used to return all our bottles for the deposit to the deli across the street. Mostly glass bottles back then, too.

Thanks for the link to the Seltzer Man!

re: "We particularly like it after a night of heavy drinking, when we finally realize that we don't want to be hungover in the morning."

Dang, y'all are picky when you're drunk!

Wow, maybe I'm spoiled on the West Coast; but we have Crystal Geyser that's bottled in Northern California -- I believe they're available nationwide in places like Cost Plus and Trader Joe's... Even if shipping them across the country kinda defeats the purpose... Can't be worse than the European stuff, right?

California is about 1,000 miles closer than Europe is to NYC.

However, we have plenty of our clean & tasty water within a hundred miles or so. They're even finishing up a new tunnel to get it here that they've been working on for 30 years. Out of civic pride, I drink NYC tap water. I'm surprised no one's bottled it.

nyc water is great, it's the pipes in your building that can affect the taste. remember to let the water run a bit before drinking it. i do wonder about the chlorine and flouride in the water.

I FINALLY got the under-the-sink water purifier I brought from my old apartment installed in my new kitchen yesterday, so it's no more lugging gallon bottles of water up the hill from 187th and Ft. Washington for me! (And I also finally got a new computer, so I can see the comments from home ... where I'm currently on vacation ... instead of having every post show up as "O Comments" on my old one.) If I'm not mistaken, you should wean yourself off seltzer and other fizzy stuff (especially women) ... the carbonation leaches calcium from your bones.

P2: Before you go there ... I mean that "especially women" should wean themselves off seltzer, not that women are fizzy stuff one should wean oneself off of!

:)

Jane

"Carbonation (the addition of carbon dioxide gas to beverages) does not appear to have any effect on bone health. This is not surprising, since the body produces large amounts of carbon dioxide and is very efficient at releasing it in expired air. The amount of carbon dioxide in a carbonated beverage is rather minor compared to the amounts that the body produces."

http://osteoporosis.about.com/od/dietsupplements/a/soda.htm

Jane, that second part of your comment was funny!
Hmmm, now I wonder if there's some reason why I hate carbonated drinks of all sorts, including water. Despite the evidence provided by msc, maybe my body knows it's just no good for it? Otherwise, I've wondered why would I find it so difficult to drink. And I've tried and tried, being with others (all men) who adore the stuff, and have strong opinions on the type of mineral water they'll drink - going as far as to be disappointed when a restaurant doesn't have the right brand...

Why can't people find Saratoga in NYC? Every Grosstedes, I mean Gristedes, I've been to carries it. So does D'Agostinos, and Food Emporium (yes, all of them suck in their many ways... but they do carry Saratoga).

"...hundreds of beautiful selzer bottles, some nearly 150 years old."

Paula-thanks for the link to the selzer delivery article. I knew the bottles were beautiful and old, but I didn't realize HOW old! This takes re-use to a whole new level.

I think these guys are the best choice for greenies who want fizzy water: local water (filtered NYC tap), no cartridges (carbonated at a plant in Brooklyn), re-used bottles, and just flat out cool.

most bubbly mineral waters add (extra) carbonation but a couple (mostly european) are entirely naturally carbonated and that much better for you (gerolsteiner is one). i'd be happy to go green but does anyone know of localish water that is completely naturally carbonated?

I too am looking for local, naturally carbonated mineral water. The added carbonation creates a more acidic water (not so good for our bodies) but the natural ones, like Gerolsteiner has a higher pH and is healthier.

There must be naturally carbonated mineral waters from deep within the earth somewhere in the U.S... right?

Yes, a lot of folks are trying to mimic sparkling waters at home, but if you really enjoy a product like san pell who has been around for 110 years, then you will be very disappointed. You can not replicate the same minerals that come from mountains in italy that have been enjoyed since Leonardo De Vinci was drinking it. If you're trying to be green, then I would suggest making more impact by buying your produce and ESPECIALLY your meats local. Huge farms and cattle are one of the biggest contributers to our and poor water quality and issues w/ antibiotics Run off is causing super bacteria that become immune to almost all our most powerful antibiotics. I think I'm more worried about that part and the fact that someday, we may not longer be able to produce a strong enough antibiotic.

Agree Heathbar but making your own bubbly rather than always purchasing is a great idea. The minerals and taste from European aquifers like San Pell (people have enjoyed these artesian waters for more way longer than 110 years) cannot be duplicated at home or from another spring.

Whether or not natural spring waters in the US could be bottled for drinking I do not know but it seems that someone would have already thought to do that if it were at all possible. I've been to several US natural thermal springs and none permitted drinking of the water - only relaxation in the water.

For those of you using commerical water filters for flat water I urge you to research independent studies that prove Brita, PUR etc.....filter pitchers and faucet filter systems do not remove as much of the impurities as these companies would like you to believe. In fact, they remove very little.

If you are lucky enough to live in California, NYC and state, Montana or Colorado (where I've found the best tap water in the US) then by all means drink tap. But some of us aren't so lucky and live in places like Washington, DC where the tap water not only tastes and smells awful but has been downright diseased and dangerous to drink without boiling.

I use old school seltzer bottles with co2 catridges but still purchase Pelligrino and Gerolsteiner. Just like I will continue to purchase European beer and wine rather than always buying US wines/beers. Just like I will continue to purchase kitchen gadgets, home decor and furnishings made in Asia, Europe and South America.

I don't understand why AT is so down on foreign fizzy water. Especially when AT travels by air so much? Isn't that a much bigger pollution issue than purchasing something like natural spring water which is healthy and comes in a reusable/recyclable bottle?