Aug 12, 2008 - 12:19 PM

By Crystal Crimi

DURHAM -- The next time you reach for a bottle of water, maybe you should think twice, says a group concerned about the negative impacts of bottled water.

The group, at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), founded by Anthony Boland, is trying to raise awareness about the issue.

"The ultimate goal is to educate people," said Mr. Boland, a founder and spokesman for the group.

He's entering his second year at the UOIT, where he's pursuing a bachelor of science in physics and a bachelor of education. The bottle campaign only started recently, but has been recognized as a group by the UOIT Student Association, which provides some funding, space for events, meetings, a booth at orientation, and the ability to put up posters around campus.

Mr. Boland said he became interested in eliminating plastic bottles a couple years ago. While attending All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, he was on its development and peace committee and attended a conference that featured researchers discussing the impact of plastic bottles.

"The majority of (the bottles) end up in our landfills," Mr. Boland said.

Fabricating them can cause pollution and fossil fuels are used to transport them, he said.

"So we're hitting the environment three times, which is definitely contributing to global warming," Mr. Boland said.

Then there are the health risks associated with drinking bottled water. Some studies say toxic contaminates from the plastic can leach into the water over time, Mr. Boland said.

Traces of other contaminates can be found in the plastic as well, he said. They may be present in small amounts, but consuming them every day could cause problems. One of the chemicals that can be found is antimony, known to cause nausea, dizziness, and depression, he said.

"From a social justice perspective, water is life," Mr. Boland said.

Bottling water is privatizing something essential to life; it's 240 to 10,000 times more expensive than tap water, he said.

If preference boils down to the taste difference, he suggests using a water filter or filling up a jug and putting it in the fridge overnight.

"Sometimes the temperature has a lot to do with it," Mr. Boland said.

If transporting water is an issue, a reusable metal water bottle has no risk associated, he said.

Some people also think tap water is dangerous, but the major reason for that claim is likely the marketing of bottled water showing it as clean and pure, he said.

"Tap water is very vigorously tested daily by experts," he said. "It's certainly safe to drink."

Municipal water facilities also have to disclose information on water quality.

About 40 per cent of bottled water comes from tap, he added.

Mr. Boland hopes the water group can turn into a multi-university campaign.

Initiatives the group is planning include a conference at the university with researchers and a tap water challenge with taste tests to determine if people can tell the difference between tap and bottled water.

Mr. Boland's also been invited to speak about the campaign at a provincial environmental advisory committee meeting in Oshawa this fall, he said.

People can show support by joining the Facebook group at facebook.com/group.php?gid=25193951431&ref=ts, and reading the eight reasons for acting, as well as telling friends and inviting them to join, and becoming a club member if they attend Durham College, Trent or UOIT.