Arguments against the bottled water industry have become much more widespread in recent years, as well as prominent in the arena of social and political debate. Those who support bottled water cite convenience and health among the top reasons. Those who oppose the enactment of purchasing and consuming bottled water claim that it is actually less strictly regulated and tested for impurities than tap water. These opponents also argue that the environmental impact of bottled water exceeds by far the positives in terms of convenience. So what exactly are the facts? Bottled water is obviously cheaper, but is it safer? Although some of the public water supplies in America, from which Americans routinely obtain tap water, are far from perfect, this fact does not make bottled water any safer than tap water. Each is held to a slightly different set of standards. Bottled water isn't necessarily better for you than tap water, and in some cases it may be worse. It is also much more expensive, requires more energy to produce, and the deterrent potential it has created for the environment far outweighs any benefit from its convenience. Because bottled water is considered a food product, it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whose standards are somewhat different than those of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the governing body that oversees the safety and regulation of tap water, derived from public water supplies. On one side of the argument is the International Resource Defense Council (NRDC), which argues that the fact that "the FDA does not provide specific requirements, such as proximity to industrial facilities, underground storage... half the paper... . arising from many factors, relating to our water sources, is evidence that we may be ready to become a little more aware of the situation and how our "convenience" affects the lives of others and the rest of the world cite Glennon, Robert. Inextinguishable: America's Water Crisis and What to Do About It.Washington.Covela.Londin: Island, 2009. Print.Howard, Brian C. “Meaage in a Bottle: Despite the Hype, Bottled Water it is neither cleaner nor greener." Emagzine.com September 2003: 1-14. Google. Network. 07 May 2010. Priesnitz, Wendy. "Bottled Water or Tap Water?" The Reference Shelf: Water Supply. 2 °. vol. 80. New York: HW Wilson Co, 2008. 42-45. Royte, Elizabeth. New York.Berlin.London: Bloomsbury, 2008. Print.Stern, Steven. “Bottled Water Faces Backlash.” CNN.com. April 22, 2010. Web. May 72010.