Thumbs up for Gov. Gregoire’s new proposed “sin tax” on bottled water, because it is going to help our health and environment, apart from government deficit.

The March 5 Bellevue Reporter editorial claimed bottled water is a strange definition of “sin.” Unfortunately, it is. It causes great harm to the environment, if not so great harm to our health.

First, the production of the plastic bottles relies heavily on fossil fuels. Then, although the plastic used in most bottling facilities is considered recyclable, the majority of used bottles are either sent to landfills or are left behind as unclaimed trash. These plastic bottles do not degrade quickly, and many plastic products generate harmful gases as they disintegrate. See the carbon footprint?

Bottled water is really a discretionary buy and not a necessity. Tap water in the US is generally safe to drink (and you can use a filter).

Pediatricians actually advise parents, like me, to use tap water instead of bottled water for infant formula. Studies have found that a lot of bottled water has higher bacterial content and exceeds the contaminant level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‎ (EPA) for mercury, thallium and thorium.

Another reason for the opposition is the possible cut of jobs in the bottling facility. Ah, money. Isn’t that how the commercial world works? Businesses experience ups and downs and should be flexible to respond to the changes in the market. Do we want to continue to produce harmful products for the sake of keeping jobs? There must be

ways to minimize the adverse effect to the employees.

In the US, bottled water costs $0.25 to $2 per bottle while tap water costs less than $0.01. Typically 90 percent or more of the cost paid goes to things other than the water itself – bottling, packaging, shipping,

marketing, retailing, other expenses, and profit. If you think the tax is costing you an arm, stop buying bottled water and you save money, your wellbeing and the earth.

Stephanie Hui, Bellevue