I started using bottled water because I don't like the things added to drinking water where I live. I also started given my cats spring water (the big gallon jugs) when I noticed that the tap water was leaving a suspicious odd colored ring on the rim of their water bowl. I changed to spring water and...no more yucky ring. I buy the cheap stuff for them, sure, but for me I buy Poland Springs from right here in Maine. I also find that I am able to drink more water over the course of the day if I drink bottled instead of a glass of tap water. And I do recycle the bottles.