My family call me the “Water Fairy”.  Years ago my aunt started it because of my attention to making sure everyone had glasses of water.  I grew up in Queensland at a time when there was no air-conditioning (was there a time?).  At school or when playing sport, if we ever felt a bit woozy, or complained of headache, we were told to drink a large glass of water and rest for 10 mins in the shade.  (I never remember anyone “popping” painkillers.)

Water is the best way to quench thirst.  Juice, soft drinks and many commercial drinks actually further dehydrate an already thirty body. 

Many of us carry our own water bottles with us so we can refill and reuse over and over.  The question is, are the water bottles a health issue.

Last Christmas Day we went for an early morning walk at my favourite beach. Joy of joys, for my Playmate, there was a café open for coffee.  I ordered and when I returned to the table he asks “Luvvie, how long have you had this water bottle?”

“Oh, just a couple of months”

“Couldn’t be, the expiry date on the bottle says ‘best before October 2007’” (Water has an expiry date?)

Seems my bottle was actually a couple of years old, not months.  How time flies.

Our discussion then turned to the health impact of the reused water bottle.  I choose to carry a plastic water bottle and am happy to carry the PET bottle for a couple of reasons; size and comfort for carrying when walking/ exercising.  Often the PET bottles are contoured to make for easy grip/ lift / carrying. 

In the past I have looked at the non-plastic bottles specifically designed for reuse and they are too big, too heavy and too uncomfortable to carry while walking.

So, the question is: is the PET bottle safe? 

The bottles made from PET are safe so long as they are washed thoroughly with detergent to remove bacteria between uses.  (I choose to throw mine away and start again any time I have the slightest “germ” in my system.)

If you re-use plastic drinking bottles made from polycarbonate, you need to be aware that with repeated use and washing, the plastic monomers can sometimes start to break down and release into the water. This doesn't necessarily create a health risk, but some of us would prefer to avoid the risk, especially where young children are concerned.

Aluminium and stainless steel bottles have become increasingly popular as well, and these are generally safe. Stainless steel can corrode a little over time and while the released iron won't harm you, can add an unpleasant taste to your water. Aluminium can also corrode and release aluminium salts into the water.

If you want to err on the side of caution when it comes to plastic drinking bottles, the best way to choose safely is to look at the recycling code on the base of the bottle:

• Avoid drink bottles that have the recycling codes of 3 or 7, particularly for children.
• The best bottles to use and re-use are those with the recycling codes 2, 4 and 5.
• 2 and 4 are made from polyethylene and 5 is made from polypropylene.

Source: ABC Health & Wellbeing