It must be an affection for twist-off caps. Frankly, there is no other plausible reason for purchasing bottled water when Long Island's tap water is the finest and the cheapest in the nation.

Think about it logically. If I'm thirsty, I can stay inside of my home, walk a few feet to any of several rooms, and have the finest water immediately delivered to me for less than a penny. The bottled water alternative would have me jump in my car, drive to a supermarket or convenience store, and purchase bottled water at a price that's a thousand times more expensive than Long Island's finest water. The bottled water approach just doesn't make sense.

Taken from our legendary aquifers, and treated through modern technology, Long Island water is the purest water available. With the revelation that tap water is the actual source for several brands of bottled water, it's just not reasonable to pay excessive costs for bottled water.

Sometimes, getting "the best for less" can be challenging. But, with water, it's a simple, no-brainer strategy - just turn on the faucet. After the few seconds it takes to fill a glass, you'll be enjoying outstanding water at the lowest cost.

Last week, a nearby store advertised a "sale" on bottled water. When contrasted to the cost of natural Long Island water, the "sale" price was actually exorbitant. With add-on costs for marketing, packaging, and distribution, it's not surprising that bottled water has become an expensive extravagance.

So, since purchasing bottled water doesn't make sense from either quality or cost considerations, I have concluded that fans of bottled water are willing to spend much more for twisting off a cap than turning on a faucet. There is just no other explanation.

Edward Shulroff

Chairman, Long Island Water Conference