The most important reason why people spend so much on bottled water is not even mentioned in this article and that is that many people, especially young people, have fallen prey to the marketing efforts of the water bottling industry and the major supermarket chains and corner stores.
I work with young people and know first hand that when they think of water they immediately ask for or get bottled water. When I think about getting a drink of water (and most people of my generation, yes, I am a Baby Boomer) getting a glass of water out of the tap always comes to mind.
This is so sad.