I haven't read "Bottlemania" to know whether its complaints about bottled water include some acknowlegement that the product may have some utility other than the few mentioned in the article above. I read in the article a bit too much judgment of others' comsumer preferences.

Can you see no reasons other than snob appeal and an irrational fear of tap water for the option of purchasing a bottle of water?

I don't like soda, or sweetened drinks. When I'm thirst, and around and about, and wanting something to drink, I'm glad to have the option of purchasing a bottle of water. Its cost vs its retail price is irrelevant as the choice is mine and others. And while I do use a Brita Filter at home, I'm not about to carry one, and a convenient canteen, around with me.

As for China and India, you're applying a thesis you've developed for bottled water in the US where it's wholly inappropriate. Surely China will invest heavily in their water infrastructure. For the indefinite meantime, they have a desperate water problem, and I would be happy for every bottle I saw were I over there.

Water is available for free in many, many places. Personally, I don't want water to become so "commoditized" that I have to BUY it when I'm out & about & get thirsty. When I'm getting ready to go out & about it isn't hard to grab my reusable water bottle and fill it up to take with me. If I run out & need more, I can re-fill at the drinking fountain in the park or grocery store. I don't know where you go when you're "around & about", but I think you can even find a drinking fountain at the mall! Of course, bottled water companies would prefer we don't have that option...just one more reason I make it a habit to bring my own! Use it or lose it!!!

are people in natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina or the recent flooding in Iowa, or wildland firefighters.

Everyone else buy a Sigg or Klean Kanteen and fill it up at home for crying out loud! I have three, one for the office, one for home and one for my husband. I prefer my own well water anyway. I tried Dasani once and nearly gagged on the chlorine taste.

Another added bonus is using an aluminum Sigg or Klean Kanteen is that you avoid PBAs in plastic water bottles. I have heard of the inner lining of the aluminum bottles being plastic, but this lining doesn't have PBA in it.

I'm glad we are realizing the plastic bottle problem that water has presented. It's worth remembering, however, that water - its selling and using and "trapping" - has been an issue long before plastic bottles.

It's interesting that Royte's water is from the New York City reservoirs that dot the Catskill Mountains, where I live. Many thriving villages were submerged during the last century for the building of the reservoirs. People were forced out, communities were destroyed, and unfair deals were made. And now, while our communities suffer because of the restrictions that NYC has put upon us, NYC water drinkers can have their wonderful unfiltered water... I'd like to see her next book address the justice issues that have been overlooked in regards to her own drinking water.

My city's tap water is considered very high quality.  It meets or exceeds EPA standards, and the city is even taking out billboards proudly proclaiming its quality.

But it stinks of chlorine!  A friend from Canada noticed the smell just from having a water carafe sitting near our table at a restaurant.  When I fill the bathtub, the water is blue.  Not just a hint, but full-on blue, as it was at my two previous residences in this city, as well.

I have hypothyroidism and so have to avoid fluoride and chlorine (nevermind that I also want to avoid them).  I'm fortunate to have enough income to spend on a reverse osmosis system so that I can drink my tap water, but for people who can't plunk down hundreds, or who rent/otherwise can't alter their plumbing, they are rather forced to drink bottled water for their health.

I hate water bottles, and I drag my Sigg around.   But people gloss over this factor: for some people, there are actually good reasons to not drink the tap water, and buying bottles may be their only choice.

 i am currantly on a no buy water bottles. 80% of them do not get recycled in the world. I use a stainless steel water bottle that I fill at home from my filter. It is much more sane.
Jenny, Montreal, Canada