This post is part three of a three part series on Tap Water in Arlington. Please subscribe to our blog to receive future posts directly to your email box or RSS reader.
So we have covered the topics of cost and safety when it comes to bottled vs. tap water. ‘ Our final thought is on convenience vs. sustainability, and what organizations are doing about it!
One of the major reasons for using bottled water is convenience. ‘ Remembering to bring a reusable water bottle is not always easy, especially when you’re on the go. ‘ However, once you get in the habit, it’s not too difficult. ‘ You can always just leave a reusable bottle in your car or at work!
Some people just don’t see the benefit of using a reusable bottle. ‘ Well, there are now a number of movements, both here in Arlington, and around the country, aiming to educate people about the advantages of tap water and providing easy ways for people to refill their own water containers instead of buying single-use bottles.
Arlington County board member, Jay Fisette, was inspired to take action after viewing the 2010 documentary Bag It. ‘ “I decided to use my position to help draw attention to the completely unsustainable and destructive impact of throw-away plastic water bottles ~ 1500 a second in the US! ‘ We’re destroying the planet and sea life. ‘ I invited a group of about 15 people to my house, we watched Bag It, and they became the steering committee for Tap in Arlington.”
‘ 
The goal of ‘ Tap In Arlington is to get 10,000 Arlington residents to make the pledge: ‘ “I choose to drink tap water instead of purchasing single-use plastic water bottles.”
In 2008, Kylie Harper founded TapIt in order to curb the demand for bottled water. ‘ The TapIt network of restaurants and retail locations provides clean drinking water to any member of the public totting a refillable bottle. ‘ The water bottle refilling network was launched in New York and partners in dozens of cities across the country have now joined in. ‘ How does it work? ‘ Restaurant and store owners can register for free on the website as TapIt partners. ‘ Thy agree to provide tap water to those who carry a reusable bottle. ‘ The list is available online as well as through a free app, called Tap It Water. ‘ Many of the retail establishments participating in TapIt also display a TapIt sticker at the front of the store. ‘ There are more than 22 establishments participating in Arlington!
Four Mile Run Park Cleanup – Join Us!