In the last year water has been in the news quite a bit. Green Living Online provides us a review of “Thirst: Fighting the Corporate THEFT of Our Water.” As detailed in “Thirst,” water in many parts of the U.S. is being privatized, limiting access to clean water to those who can pay. At the same time, these corporations are dominating the market for bottled water.

Meanwhile, eco-conscious consumers are concerned by the waste and health issues that go along with our addiction to bottled water. Even fancy restaurants in the Bay Area are replacing their bottled water with carbon filtered tap water. Ask Umbra answers a concerned consumer’s question about the safety of Nalgene. She recommends going with glass bottles, like those from Aquasana

Biota provides another option, disposable water bottles made from biodegradable corn plastic. While using these bottles wouldn’t reduce the carbon footprint caused by transportation, they might be an important alternative for those times when disposable water bottles are needed.

Around Northern California, stainless steel bottles from Kleen Kanteen seem to be popular. I haven’t tried one though, because I can’t help but think that water sitting around hot weather would get warm and metallic tasting rather quickly.

Lately I have been reusing my glass Pellegrino bottle. Maybe not the best solution, but it works until I find the ultimate safe, environmentally friendly water bottle.