The following is a little study I did to satisfy my curiousity. It is a
comparison of various bottled waters versus Toronto tap water. I wanted
to see which was better. I still am not entirely convinced either is
completely safe...but I will let you be the judge.

Chem.  Perr.  Evian  SPell. Naya  Gerol. Apol.  Mntclr Vlvc. Fern. TORONTO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Na     2.8     5      41    6      118    425    12    9.4   10.12  12
K      0.2     1       3    2     10.5    25.2    3    5.7    0.78  1.6
Ca            78     206   38      347    88.9   28    9.9   45.2   39
Mg            24      58   22      108    104    10    6.1   16.48  8.4
HCO3         357     220  245     1.82   1580   120    65    244    --
SiO2          14                  40.1                              0.92
SO4           10     550   14     38.3    112    21    6.9   10.56  29
Cl             4      74    1     39.7    137    12    8.4    4.26  25
NO3            1       1                   8.4                      --
Cu                                                   <0.005         0.0023
Pb                                                   <0.005  0.022  0.0019
Zn                                                   <0.010         0.0008
As                                         0.009      0.015         --
F      0.1   0.12    0.6   0.2     0.21    0.65  0.6  0.2    0.31   1.11
TDS    505   310   1118   200    1410     1690   164  109    194    197

Notes:  All figures are in parts per million (ppm)
Legend:   Chem.=Chemical   Perr.=Perrier  SPell=San Pellegrino  Vlvc=Volvic
          Gerol.=Gerolsteiner  Apol=Apollinaris  Montclr=Montclair
          Fern=Fernbrook  TDS=Total Dissolved Solids

(--) indicates that the data was not provided (also true if space is blank)

The interesting thing I found was that when I began to check the published
safe drinking water guidelines, I discovered the following:

(1) BOTTLED WATERS THAT EXCEED MAXIMUM GUIDELINE LEVELS

Product    Guideline Variable   Level    Guideline Maximum
-------    ------------------   -----    -----------------
San Pellegrino   SO4            550 ppm     250 ppm (*)
                 TDS           1118 ppm     500 ppm (!)
Gerolsteiner     TDS           1410 ppm     500 ppm (!)
Apollinaris      TDS           1690 ppm     500 ppm (!)
Fernbrook        Pb            0.022 ppm    0.01 ppm (*)

(see notes)

(2) BOTTLED WATERS VERY CLOSE TO MAXIMUM GUIDELINE LEVELS

Product     Guideline Variable   Level    Guideline Maximum
-------     ------------------   -----    -----------------
Apollinaris      Nitrates        8.4 ppm     10.0 ppm (*)
                 Chlorine      137.0 ppm    250 ppm (*)
Volvic           Lead            0.005        0.01 ppm (*)

Notes:  (*) Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines
        (!) all guideline maximums (SMCL, PMCL, Ontario MOE, CDWG)

Okay, I realize that this is *not* a scientific inquiry but I think it is
deserving of study and, uh, MONITORING??!! I also realize that some may
argue that bottled water should not be subject to the same standards as
tap water but I ask: 'why on earth not?'.

I noticed that, on average, bottled water had more than 2 to 3 times
the level of chemicals than ordinary Toronto tap water (which people
regard as 'dirty' for some peculiar reason). Some chemicals were more
than 5 times the level in ordinary Toronto tap water. Is this good?

Also, it is curious to note the labelling of bottled water products.
This is the source of all my data (save Toronto tap water data, which
comes from Metro Works Department). Perrier, I believe, is not being
forthright about their water as they list the least number of chemicals
on their analysis (which appears on the product). Most bottled waters
show an analysis that profiles at least 8 chemical levels. I believe that
bottled water, uh, bottlers (yeah! that's it!!) should be required to
provide this analysis on the product, on a current basis (once a year
it should be updated) from an independent laboratory or, uh, the UN.

Well, that's it. I think I will go and have a beer.

Shawn Berry