ST. LOUIS (AP) — Care for some water, fresh from the tap?
While sales of bottled water are booming in the United States, a handful of St. Louis restaurants on Wednesday joined the growing campaign nationwide to stop selling bottled water, instead serving customers the city’s finest municipal drink — tap water.
And St. Louis’ government plans to stop buying bottled water later this year, asking employees instead to drink from the city supply — borrowing a page from San Francisco and other American cities which have started similar practices.
At a news conference at the Schlafly Tap Room brewpub in St. Louis, activists, restaurateurs and a city representative outlined the problems they see with the nation’s bottled water consumption. They say less use of it will cut consumers’ costs, reduce environmental waste and show a commitment to the public water supply.
“It’s a lot easier to use something that’s coming from across your kitchen instead of across the country,” said Tim Embree, environmental aide to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. And, he pointed out, “We have the country’s best tasting water.” The U.S. Conference of Mayors decided last year that St. Louis had the best-tasting city water in a competition among more than 90 communities.
There’s no question Americans love their bottled water, with about 29 gallons consumed per capita in 2007. Bottled water sold about $12 billion wholesale in the United States last year, up nearly 8 percent from the year before, according to the International Bottled Water Association, based in Alexandria, Va.
Local News
Business: <img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/business.gif " Border=0> 8:48 a.m. Campaign expands to reduce bottled water consumption
- Local News
-
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
-
Jasper County 911 administrative lines down
Though all Jasper County emergency 911 telephone lines are functional, administrative and non-emergency lines for the county dispatching service have been down since Monday night.
-
Study suggests continued population drop in Kansas
A decades-long decline in population is likely to continue in Kansas, particularly in the west of the state, and four counties could have fewer than 1,000 residents by 2040, according to a study by Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research.
-
Tornado victim’s recovery ‘miraculous’
Carolyn Mckinlay did not know much about baseball, but she knew it was important to watch the sixth game of last year’s World Series. It was important because her future husband, Mark Lindquist, had a ticket to see his beloved Cardinals take on the Texas Rangers in the seventh game at St. Louis.
-
Family of service honored at Memorial Day ceremony
Lt. Col. Robert Brock returned to his hometown Monday and told an audience of about 500 residents and veterans gathered at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial that Memorial Day is a celebration of family — America’s family of service.
-
Master developer working on project possibilities
A Texas developer who Joplin officials intend to hire to help with the city’s post-tornado development says he has secured commitments for about $400 million in capital to fund about 20 possible projects.
-
Webb City High School honored in rankings of national magazine
Webb City High School is among 13 schools in Missouri to receive a silver medal designation among the best high schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
