Bottled water has become as ubiquitous as cell phones, as fashionable as a Fendi handbag and as much of a guzzler of oil, 1.5 million barrels yearly, as it takes to refine enough gasoline to power 100,000 cars for a year.

Americans are the biggest consumers of bottled water, 37 billion bottles' worth in 2005, according to Food & Water Watch, an environmental group based in Washington, D.C. Growth has been steady and rapid — 6.4 billion gallons of bottled water in 2004, 7.2 billion gallons in 2005 and 8.3 billion gallons in 2006. The latter figure works out to 26 gallons for every man, woman and child in the states.

What drives this near obsession?

The International Bottled Water Association, in its frequently asked questions section of its Web site, says, "Bottled water is a great beverage choice for hydration and refreshment because of its consistent safety, quality, good taste and convenience."

Food & Water Watch disagrees. In its June report, "Take Back the Tap," the environmental group argues that tap water is just as safe and as clean. It has launched a campaign urging people to return to the tap for two main reasons: environmental effects and cost concerns.

Besides the 1.5 million barrels of oil used, worldwide bottling of water uses about 2.7 million tons of plastic a year. The group cites a 2006 Earth Policy Institute that the bottled-water industry in Britain dumps 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. Though the International Bottled Water Association claims water bottles are among the most recycled of all packaging, the Earth Policy Institute says 86 percent of empty plastic bottles end up in the garbage. In addition, shipping bottled water to retail outlets adds to pollution caused by fossil-fuel engines.

In the face of global climate change, cutting back on the use of bottled water would seem to be a no-brainer. But Americans have a love-hate relationship with tap water. A 2003 Gallup survey commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency found that 33 percent of respondents drank bottled water for health and safety concerns. Another study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found 47 percent of respondents cite health and safety problems with tap water as a reason to drink bottled water.

Is tap water safe?

The EPA requires that water systems serving more than 1 million residents must test 300 water samples per month. For utilities that serve 3 million people or more, 480 samples monthly are required.

But tap water could be made even safer with full enforcement of the Clean Water Act, Food and & Watch says. And there must be an investment in maintenance and renewal of municipal water and sewage treatment plants, storage and distribution. Most primary water pipes and sewers beneath city streets date back to the years following World War II, the 1920s or the late 1800s.

A 2007 bill in Congress would provide $14 billion in federal loan guarantees over four years to cover improvements in water and sewer systems. But that comes to be a drop in the bucket. Food & Water Watch says communities are $22 billion short annually of needed funding. And, the EPA, Government Accountability Office and the nonprofit Water Infrastructure Network estimate $300 billion to $500 billion would be needed over 20 years to improve water and sewer infrastructure.

Congress should create a clean water trust fund to help communities improve infrastructure. The EPA needs to increase funding for oversight of drinking water and should fully enforce the Clean Water Act.

Consumers and pocketbooks

Still not convinced? How about looking at the cost of tap water versus bottled water?

Say you drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day, one of those recommendations people follow but may not be necessary. In a year, you would guzzle 182.5 gallons of water. Food & Water Watch estimates that the cost of bottled water runs from 89 cents to $8.26 a gallon. You would be paying anywhere from $162.43 to $1,507.45 a year to quench your thirst. By contrast, the "Take Back the Tap" report says, tap water averages 2 cents a gallon, which means those 182.5 gallons of water would cost you $3.65 a year.

Water is one of those necessities of life. Properly managed, it can be a lasting, renewable and inexpensive natural resource.

The choice is yours, bottled water or tap. Before you decide, take a week to try the tap and compare — taste, convenience and savings.