From large cities to small towns, the U.S. bottled water industry is a critical component of our nation's economy and infrastructure. Companies that manufacture, distribute and sell bottled water products employed about 137,000 Americans, paying them $6.3 billion in wages and benefits. Not only does the manufacture and sale of bottled water products create good jobs in the U.S., but it also contributes to the national economy as a whole via the industry’s economic ripple effect that benefits agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation and many other businesses whose livelihood depends on the bottled water industry. In fact, in 2013 the bottled water industry was a dynamic part of the U.S. economy, accounting for about $102.3 billion in output, or just below 1 percent of GDP.

Bottled water manufacturers, along with their wholesale and retail partners, directly or indirectly employed approximately 471,700 Americans in 2013. These workers earned $25.0 billion in wages and benefits. Members of the industry and their employees paid $9.7 billion in direct federal, state and local taxes. In addition, the consumption of bottled water beverages throughout the country generated $2.7 billion in state sales taxes.