(Editor's Note: The following letter is submitted in response to the letter "Bottled Water Doesn't Make 'Cents,'" which was submitted by Long Island Water Conference Chairman Edward Shuloff and featured in the Sept. 21 edition of this newspaper.)

Chairman Edward Shuloff's editorial asks why Americans choose to drink bottled water. Bottled water is a calorie-free, easily accessible alternative to sodas and other sugared beverages, especially when tap water may not be available or preferred. Today, 70 percent of what Americans drink comes in a bottle or can and many of these beverages have sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors or artificial flavors.

More than half of consumers say they would drink more of these other beverages if bottled water was not a convenient substitute. Considering skyrocketing obesity and diabetes rates in this country and the fact that beverage calories have added a whopping 82,000 calories per year to our diets within the last decade, we should be doing all we can to encourage Americans to make a healthier lifestyle choice and drink more water, whether it comes from a bottle or a tap.

Jane Lazgin

Director, Corporate Communications

Nestlé Waters North America