Earlier last month I filed a bill that would prohibit the use of public funds to purchase bottled water except in cases of emergency, a bill that would reduce waste, energy use, and costs.

There is no reason we should spend taxpayers’ money on a product that is unnecessary, expensive and harmful to the environment when there are clean and cheap alternatives. It is important that we lead by example and do our part to reduce bottle waste and save the Commonwealth money.

In December, a news story detailed how the state had expended $300,000 in half the fiscal year on bottled water to staff events and meetings, often at buildings that have clean drinking water available. The state Operational Services Committee calculates that approximately $1.4 million are spend on bottled water contracts each year, according to 2012 spending, the last year for which data is available. 

While tap water could cost pennies for a gallon, bottled water could be between 250 and 10,000 times more expensive.

This bill does NOT affect Massachusetts residents’ ability to purchase bottled water.