I remember that when I first visited Europe (in 1976 as a 14-year-old), the custom I found strangest was that people paid to have bottles of water brought to their dinner tables!

I haven't changed my mind. I drink bottled water only when I'm in a country where the tap water is dangerous. And I think the practice of building manufacturing plants to put plain water in disposable bottles and then ship it all over the world is environmentally insane.

Still, I must admit it's good for the world economy. Some say it's growing because of productivity gains; I'm convinced it's because marketing geniuses have persuaded people to spend billions for something that is free.

^ I get my case a week from Costco

Best Bottled Water
 

Definitely PENTA. Too bad it is so expensive.

I really dislike the taste of heavily chlorinated water. I've lived in quite a few places had had funky water. One city where I lived had 2 sources: the summer source was too chlorinated and the winter source was too minerally. I count on bottled water to be relatively flavorless.

If your tastebuds can't tell the difference, you're wasting your money. Otherwise, it's a consumer choice. I can't taste a difference between most bottled waters and usually opt for a cheap brand, unless I don't already have a bottle in my collection.

After having been to many 3rd world countries in the course of my travels, ANY bottled water will do for me.

i've been to only a few..but AGREED :)

I prefer bubbles, but not too harsh, so my favorites are Hildon and Badoit.

Really? My experience is that many bottled waters are counterfeit in certain 3rd world countries (filled at the tap under rather dire conditions) ... thus it is rather important to figure out which are not tampered with (usually through strong control of the distribution network, which in turn means higher price). Sparkling waters tend to be considerably safer, fwiw.

True. Depending on the country, some bottled waters are fake and dangerous to drink. Kenya is one country in particular where I was warned beforehand of such maliciousness. Which is why I ALWAYS make sure my bottle is perfectly sealed before paying for it. Even in the US I wouldn't buy an opened bottle of water.

I have watched street urchins refilling bottles for resale at an outdoor spigot in Nassau. AFAIK the local water is not dangerous, but I have no desire to buy tap water from a dirty bottle for $1. I listen for that satisfying crack as the seal breaks. No crack, no drink.

My favorite is Radenska, which I only get when I visit my brother in Slovenia. Otherwise, I like Ramlosa and Spa, but as they're not that easy to get here in the US, I usually go with Poland Spring when I want bubbles and Evian or Volvic when I don't.

Ferrarelle.

I hate Evian, it tastes so soft. I like more mineral-y tasting water.

I also hate bubbles in my water.

Got lucky tonight. Found that my favorite restauranteur was willing to sell me a case of Panna (for cost). This stuff is tough to find in markets and liquor stores in So. Calif. I love Panna :)

Voss.