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Bottled vs Tap Water

Can You Tell the Difference

Secondary, Middle

Description

In this excerpt from the television program 20/20, five costly bottled-water brands are compared to New York City tap water. Lab tests showed no difference in bacteria levels and random taste tests reveal the most costly brand-name was judged the worst tasking! The program explores why consumers are being seduced to purchase a product that they can get for nothing, especially when the plastic bottles produce so much waste.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video could be used as an introduction to sustainable consumption as it relates to the science and social studies curriculum. It could also be used as a means to generate discussion about the roles that humans have as stewards of the planet, and to  also promote a  science class dicussion of the pros and cons of using bottled water.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • British Columbia
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    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth
    • Grade 10
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
    • Grade 11
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      • Science
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        • Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
    • Grade 12
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interdisciplinary Topics in Science 40S: Science, Technology, Society and the Environment
        • Interdisciplinary Topics in Science 40S:Nature of Science and Technology
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Consumerism
        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
        • Global Issues
        • Global Issues
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 6
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      • Social Studies
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        • Cultures
        • Empowerment: Economics
        • Atlantic Canada and the World:
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Grade 6
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      • Social Studies
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        • World Issues
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      • Science
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        • Water Systems on Earth's Surface
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 3205: Water Use & the Environment
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 8
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      • Science
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        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Grade 6
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      • Social Studies
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        • Social Studies 6: World Issues
    • Grade 9
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      • Social Studies
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        • Citizenship 9: Engaged Citizenship
    • Grade 12
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      • Geography
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        • Global Geography:Resources and Commodities
  • Nunavut
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        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • Ontario
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    • Grade 6
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      • Math
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        • Financial Literacy
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      • Geography
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        • Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
    • Grade 8
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      • Math
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        • Financial Literacy
      • Science & Technology
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        • Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
    • Grade 11
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      • Environmental Science
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        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Reducing and Managing Waste
        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
        • Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
    • Grade 12
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Connections
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.): Spacial Organizationties
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Prfeparation)
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Grade 6
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        • World Issues
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        • Water Systems on Earth
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
        • Environmental Science 621A: Human Population and Carrying Capacity
        • Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • What can I do?
        • Geography 621A Global Issues
        • Geography 631A Global Issues: What Can I Do?
  • Quebec
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    • Grade 10
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      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
    • Grade 11
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary World: Wealth
  • Saskatchewan
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    • Grade 6
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 6: Canada & Our Atlantic Neighbours -Resources and Wealth
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
    • Grade 11
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Issues - Wealth & Poverty
        • Social Studies 20
  • Yukon Territory
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    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Sustainable Consumption

Waste Management (1)

  • Source Reduction

Water (2)

  • Privatization & Sale of Water
  • Water Use