Even though tap water is freely available and safe in most European countries, drinking bottled water is widespread, with some estimates stating a consumption of approx. 200 billion bottles every year. This has a negative impact on the environment, including water wastage and pollution.
Since on average, 3 litres of regular water are necessary to produce only 1 litre of bottled water, approx. 100 billion litres of water are wasted every year. In addition to that, not only do the packaging, transportation, and refrigeration of bottled water generate CO2, contributing to climate change, most of the bottles end up as plastic waste, instead of being recycled.
Reference: "Science for Environment Policy": European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service, edited by SCU, The University of the West of England, Bristol.