How many people have the faintest idea the terrible damage they could be doing to the future of our planet?

The latest element to be facing an uncertain future is water.

Our bodies and our planet not being rich in this basic substance we need for our survival, may cause concern, but not it seems enough concern to help the upsurge of bottled water.

According to scientists, bottled water is no healthier than ordinary tap water. It may be fashionable but costs 10,000 times more to produce. The bottling industry is worth a staggering £2 billion in this country alone. More than 22million tons of bottled water is moved from country to country. It is transported by boat, train and lorry, and the remaining plastic bottles are not bio-degradable, with a life of 1,000 years.

The most common type of plastic is polyethelyne terephalate which is a product of crude oil. Making enough to meet the demands from the USA calls for 1.5m barrels of oil per year. Worldwide 2.7m tons of plastic is used to bottle water yearly. Notions that bottled water is purer, safer and healthier are false Forty per cent of bottled water is tap water which is more tightly regulated than the so called pure water.

So before you risk the future of your grandchildren, cut down on the over-priced, over-hyped, bottles of water that you can get just by going to the kitchen and turning on the water.

Excuse me. Must dash, it looks like rain!

Mr J Thompson

Bridge Court

Lostock Hall