Soda seems to be a drink of choice among Americans. It’s ingrained in our culture and has been throughout history – think of Coca Cola’s link to Americana. Americans consume more soda than people in any other nation – it’s a $60 billion industry.
In 2013, Americans were averaging yearly soda consumption of 44 gallons. As shocking as the number is, consumption had fallen from an average of 58 gallons in 1998. Obesity concerns and advertising strategies disconnecting soda from American culture are likely culprits of this downtrend.
Water Consumption Exceeds Soda
Despite high consumption, 2013 was also when soda fell from its slot as the most-consumed beverage in the United States. Water, both tap and bottled, has become the most consumed beverage in the country. Americans are drinking tap water at record highs and it is hundreds, or even thousands of times less expensive than bottled water. Consumers are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of plastic packaging, and are turning to their taps for everyday thirst quenching.
Improving the Tap Water Experience
Americans are showing their preference for tap water – it’s affordable, it tastes great! To keep homeowners across the country happy with the water they use every day, it’s up to water utility companies to deliver the finest product – clean, healthy, and affordable water.
Water infrastructure across the country is aging. Much of our water piping was installed in the early to mid-20th century, with a useful life of 75 to 100 years – we are nearing the end of our water piping service life. As piping degrades over time, problems such as service disruptions and inferior water quality may arise.
Replacing the pipelines that connect treatment facilities to consumers is a priority. Indiana American Water is committed to investing in its systems and a portion of every bill is dedicated to replacing or rehabilitating aging infrastructure. In the last two years alone, the company has proactively invested more than $140 million in water and wastewater infrastructure across Indiana.
