KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; Nebraska News, Sports; kptm.com | Water War Underway in Metro

Water War Underway in Metro

Omaha (KPTM) - It was just a few months ago that bottled water was basically banned in public businesses in San Francisco. Omaha's Metropolitan Utilities District wishes the same thing would happen here.

Each year, millions of dollars are spent to make something that some people say might be harmful to the environment - a simple bottle of water. "The fastest growing things in a landfill is the plastic bottles from bottled water," said Tom Wurtz, MUD President.

He says that each year, more than 90 percent of water bottles end up as garbage or litter. That's why his company decided to take action with a radio ad that is being played on Omaha's radio stations saying: "Did you know that for the price of one six-pack of pop, you can drink a glass of cool, clean, refreshing Omaha water 15,000 times?" MUD wants people to be environmentally friendly and to start drinking more tap water. "If you really want to go green and stay green - use tap water," said Wurtz.

But not everyone in Omaha is willing to drop their water bottle. "It's very convenient when you're on the go - just to grab a bottle of water," said Heather Kernes, who prefers bottled water over tap. Some people say they buy bottled because they think it tastes different - or even better. "What we have shown in taste tests - what a lot of people like about bottled water is the fact that it's cold," said Wurtz.

The main difference between bottled water and tap water is that tap water has fluoride in it - which is always good for your teeth.

MUD officials say that over 43 million dollars is spent each year to produce safe tap water nationwide, and all tap water is regulated by the environmental protection agency.