Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Drinking Water

Drinking Water: A Comparison of Bottled and Tap Water Using Life Cycle Analysis. DEQ commissioned a study that compares a wide range of environmental impacts (including greenhouse gas emissions) of drinking water from the tap, 5-gallon reusables, and single-use bottles. The study illustrates the far greater benefits of waste prevention (drinking from the tap and use of reusable drinking containers) over recycling single-use bottles. It also illustrates where long-distance transport may dominate in the life-cycle of a product such as bottle water and touches on concerns about degradable plastics.