ALEXANDRIA, VA— Americans are drinking more bottled water — individually and as a nation, according to statistics released March 28 in a press release from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), the industry trade group, and Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), a beverage industry research firm.

Total bottled water volume in the United States in 2007 increased by 6.9 percent over 2006, the report said. Per-person consumption also increased in 2007, from 27.6 gallons to 29.3 gallons, up by about 6.2 percent.

Wholesale dollar sales for bottled water went up by an even larger percentage in 2007 compared to 2006, up 7.8 percent to $11.7 billion, the report said.

“These statistics demonstrate continued consumer demand and appreciation for the convenience, healthfulness and good taste of bottled water brands consumed on-the-go, during exercise, at restaurants or meetings, and at home or the office,” the press release said.

Although bottled water has come under increasing critical scrutiny lately from advocacy groups and the news media, there is an “unabated thirst for bottled water” in the US that can be attributed to several factors, according to John G. Rodwan Jr., editorial director at Beverage Marketing Corp., who was quoted in the release.

Rodwan cited consumers’ recognition that bottled water is a healthy, safe, convenient and versatile product that is increasingly affordable.

Bottled water volume will surpass that of carbonated soft drinks within the next five to seven years, to become the largest beverage category by volume, BMC predicts. “As concern about obesity spreads and intensifies, bottled water’s lack of calories appears that much more attractive to consumers,” Rodwan said.

For more information about the IBWA, click here.

For more information about the BMC, click here.

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