Re: your June 18 article, "Feeling thrifty, the thirsty reach for tap water":

While many Star readers, undoubtedly, choose bottled water, the article served up a one-sided view that was not in the best interests of Star readers. As a result of a tightening economy, people are not only reducing their bottled water consumption, they are changing their purchasing behavior for all consumer goods.

Bottled water is a safe, healthy, convenient beverage that consumers choose to stay refreshed and hydrated. When compared with other bottled beverages, bottled water offers thirsty consumers an inexpensive refreshment option that provides the health, safety and convenience people demand.

People recognize the importance of water consumption for hydration and refreshment, and that should be encouraged.

Many people choose a diet mixed with a variety of bottled drinks; and most consumers likely drink both bottled water and tap water depending on the circumstances. It does not always amount to a choice of tap water versus bottled water.

Bottled water is growing in popularity because people appreciate its consistent quality, taste and convenience and choose bottled water over other beverages because it does not contain calories, caffeine, sugar, artificial flavors or colors, alcohol and other ingredients.

The bottled water industry is a leader in the food and beverage industry in reducing its environmental footprint. Any efforts to reduce the resources necessary to produce and distribute packaged goods — and increase recycling rates — must focus on all packaging and not just bottled water. Consumers can recycle, restaurants, businesses and governments can recycle and those are the actions that must be encouraged.

The wrong path is to disparage a healthful beverage choice by falling into the trap of pitting bottled water against tap water or by focusing on the sliver of packaging used in bottled-water products.