In the past year, news keeps popping up that more and more cities are getting rid of bottled water in their buildings because of concerns that the plastic bottles aren’t being recycled. And it isn’t just large cities like San Francisco and New York. The U.S. Conference of Mayors voted to ban bottled water in city halls across the country last month.  A recent Fox News article states:

According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, Americans consumed 8.8 billion gallons of bottled water in 2007, up 6.1 percent from 2006, when the average American consumed more than 28 gallons of bottled water — the equivalent of 167 half-liter bottles. Sales topped $11.5 billion last year, with bottled water second only to carbonated soft drinks.

In Columbia, SC the mayor has linked his city’s ban on bottled water to protecting the environment and reducing the local government’s carbon footprint.

It’s hard to deny the convenience of portable water, but I’ve noticed at conferences and from visiting utilities, that more agencies are creating their own water bottles to encourage consumption of tap water on the go. Even at AWWA’s Annual Conference last month, it was nice to see that water pitchers and cups were placed throughout the conference area for attendees. Plus they even gave away water bottles - mine has been put to good use in the office.

What do you think of the “green” pushback on bottled water? Is this just a trend or a real shift in people’s behavior? Will it help raise the profile of local water agencies? Are you doing anything special to capitalize on consumers’ raised awareness? Do you have a ban on the bottle?