An Emporia City Commissioner has suggested using Emporia’s best tasting water award as a vehicle to market the city to travelers that stop at Emporia gas stations.
Although the idea is in the conceptual stage right now, Commissioner Bobbi Mlynar has proposed selling bottled tap water at convenience stores located near Interstate 35 and the Kansas Turnpike.
“The idea behind selling the water is to take the bottles out of Emporia to make an impression on people who don’t live here,” Mlynar said during a city commission work session earlier this month when the idea was discussed.
Though it’s not widespread, several other cities across the country are selling municipal tap water in bottles. That concept has a fan in Mike Escobor, a Fort Worth resident who stopped Monday at ShortStop convenience store in Emporia. Escobor said he would buy tap water because he thinks it is healthier.
“I prefer tap water because it’s been treated and oftentimes has fluoride,” he said.
Award winning taste
The City of Emporia has won the best tasting water in Kansas award several times, including this year.
The city has in the past bottled its tap water and given it away at various events. The latest label promoted the 2007 award for best tasting water.
The city still has about 1,100 bottles in stock.
Mlynar said the bottled tap water wouldn’t be sold on a grand scale, just targeting convenience stores near the interstate. She said plenty of travelers stop in Emporia to get gas, use the restroom and buy a bottle of water.
“If we are going to be bottling water, we might as well be taking advantage of marketing it to people beyond Emporia,” she said.
Mlynar said they would need to come up with a snappy label to get the attention of potential consumers.
Katie Rogers, an employee at Emporia’s ShortStop, said water is a big seller. She said many people go with the less expensive choices, but whatever is on sale tends to be a popular purchase.
“We have water specials almost every week,” she said. “Otherwise they tend to like the Deja Blue, which is our cheapest, or the Aquafina.”
ShortStop carries eight brands of water ranging from 79 cents for Deja Blue up to $3.39 for Evian.
Speaking personally, Rogers said she would guess people would buy Emporia’s tap water in bottles.
“Out-of-town people are always saying how good Emporia’s water is and that it’s better than what they get in their homes,” she said.
Brian Schroeder, a Houston resident driving home from a family trip, said he stops to buy bottled water frequently while traveling. When possible he buys Evian water.
“I like the taste of it,” he said. “It reminds me of the water we used to have when I lived in Iowa.”
Schroeder said he probably wouldn’t consider buying tap water from a city along his travel route.
“That’s because I’m brand loyal,” he said.
What would it cost?
Ed Rathke, city facilities manager, was asked to calculate what it would cost to get water ready. He found the city’s out-of-pocket cost is 76 cents per bottle. A typical case of water would cost about $20.
In a memo to city commissioners Rathke wrote that it takes a person 8 to 10 minutes to fill one box of 24 bottles, though that doesn’t count time retrieving the bottles from storage and taking them to the next location.
Commissioner Rob Gilligan said while the idea is good he has concerns over trying to compete with private enterprise.
He said to probably get people to buy Emporia water, they either have to be the cheapest bottle in the store or market it heavily. Neither is realistic. Because of costs to bottle and deliver it, plus the store’s profit margin, city water won’t be the least expensive, he said.
Gilligan said if it costs them 90 cents to make and deliver it, a gas station may sell it for $1.89. Thus, city water is now competing with high-end products without having a brand identity. Gilligan said at the very least the city should try to cover its costs.
“I like the idea but it would be difficult to do as a business concept,” he said.
Mlynar said this wouldn’t be about making a profit.
“Right now we are spending money to give it away,” she said.
To sell the water the city would have to figure out all the technical requirements, including who would fill them, where would they be stored and how would they be delivered, said City Manager Matt Zimmerman.
Alternatively, Zimmerman said the city could expand its give-away program by providing bottled water at events like the Dirty Kanza, Flint Hills Rodeo or Madison Days.
What others are doing
The city of Hamilton, Ohio began bottling and selling tap water last month. Hamilton’s water also has won awards for taste.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Hamilton’s efforts are in conjunction with Sustain Brand, who will market the water to its distributors, though the city can’t compete in the same stores where Sustain sells its products.
The city of Aspen, Colo. implemented a plan last month to promote its tap water. Aspen ordered 4,000 stainless steel water bottles that they sell at their market and at stores. There are filling stations in Aspen where locals and tourists can fill up the bottles with tap water.
bluebonnet (anonymous) says...
It sounds like a great way to market Emporia, but like Rob says, the cost would have to justify the benefit. If they could just break even, that would be wonderful publicity for our town.
My husband and I travel to Texas a couple of times a year, and we always take several bottles of Emporia tap water, because Texas water tastes like dirt.
June 21, 2011 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
it's a great idea! if it's breaking even, then try it. anyone from here had ft worth water? it's nasty, so is waco water, i don't think there is any comparison. emporia wins that hands down.
June 21, 2011 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
What would keep a visitor from just going into a local convenience store rest room and filling up their own bottle, with Emporia water and leaving.
And Emporia's water tastes better, as compared to who' s water ?
Does it taste better than natural Rocky Mountain Spring Water ?
Just who's water does it taste better than ?
And does the claim that Emporia has the best tasting water in Kansas mean that people from across the country or the world are going to come to Emporia to just tast the purported, " best tasting water in Kansas ?
Now, if Emporia had water that had some sort of " miraculous, proven " healing properties or " fountain of youth " properties, then you would have a huge marketable City and commodity !
Things must really be getting desperate at City Hall, when they start grasping at straws, so to speak, in order to get city revenues " UP " ! What City Hall should be asking themselves is, What, Why and How did we get ourselves and our citizens into such a predicament in the first place ?
Seems to me that there was a claim, not too long ago, that the citizens that were using City supplied water, were basically accused of " stealing " water because of faulty meters. So the City Manager suggests that they buy $1.6 million dollars worth of new state of the art technologically advanced meters to stop " water theft/waste " and improve the amount of water revenue collected.
What happened to that idea ? Water revenues actually decreased . And you can bet the farm, that if the elite section of Emporias citizens water bills go up, there will be an outcry from that section of town that will carry some " weight " !
So the statement was made that water rates would need to be increased . That suggestion did not meet with shouts of " Hooray " or " Joy ".
So now there is an idea to bottle Emporias " fabolous " tasting water sell it to visitors or tourists to promote people visiting or moving to Emporia .
I have a feeling when these visitors or tourists buy a bottle of " fabulous Emporia water " and realize the cost and the amount of tax that goes along with it, they will not be back, nor will they recommend that anyone else buy Emporia's water .
The words of the day and time are, conserve, save, get the most for your dollar you possible can and spend conservatively and with frugality .
June 21, 2011 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
meth, if the water had healing properties, i would pay someone to drive me to town just to drink water.
however, when my family does come up from texas, they do love the taste of the water. much better than theirs. : D
June 21, 2011 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Yeah meth, emporia's tap water is something to cry about. I grew up in emporia and having lived in several different towns and traveling to numerous towns around the midwest, nothing compares. Everyone in emporia knows we got great water but very few outside do. Why not toy with the idea of promoting it? I'm not saying it's going to attract the masses but it could be a deciding factor in a person's decision to relocate to emporia.
June 21, 2011 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
I recently contacted an international corporation about moving a bottling plant to here in Emporia after water sales went down because of Tyson cutbacks.When they called back,I put them in touch with the right city people and a realtor.I sure talked up the water,Flint Hills,and Emporia.I heard from the city that the economy slowed enough that they had lost interest in expanding.Now if the city wants to cash in,you'd better do a good job of it,and not step on private businesse's toes! What would they think if the city is taking local market share? Myself,I don't think the government should develop and sell any products. Do you sell high to protect private beverage companies?Or discount low because"it's only water!" The city may want to contact the company and see what they think of a local competitor in case they DO decide to build here.
June 21, 2011 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Even if the city contracts through a bottler to market this product......You already had Nestle' Int. interested once- don't blow it!
June 21, 2011 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
i've got to agree with americus1987- I think the article shortchanges the water my district buys from Emporia.It's among the best in a nationwide competition of municipal engineers .I mean like always in the top 5.
June 21, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
It is a good idea in theory, but as for making money off it, I don't see it.
June 21, 2011 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Personally, I like the idea. I know it won't MAKE money, but really, do billboards? Get Emporia's name out there for this very positive aspect. Way to go, Bobbi - Good Idea.
June 21, 2011 at 8:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GreatDayInEmporia (anonymous) says...
Sounds like a great way to provide a highly demanded product and advertise Emporia at the same time. Nice idea!
Something like a quarter of national bottled water is local tap water already. Might as well distribute it at the source. Take Fresh Emporia to market :)
June 21, 2011 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
NOW LISTEN TO THIS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu-EuL...
June 21, 2011 at 9:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
No
June 21, 2011 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-T051...
June 21, 2011 at 9:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
MORE INFORMATION ON FLORIDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKQfjc...
June 21, 2011 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
There are a few things that will attract people to Emporia . " Best Water in Kansas " is not one of them.
Things, such as, a good jobs base, low cost of living, low cost public services, a sound infrastructure, low individual citizen/business tax burden, City Government/Leaders that do not spend money and run up huge debt at the drop of a hat and don' t, desperately grasp at straws to solve its problems and doesn' t throw good money at bad schemes/ideas .
Does any one suppose that Topeka, Manhattan, Junction City, Wichita, Lawerence, Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Kansas City, Chicago, NewYork, LosAngeles, etc., care about whether their water tastes the best or not ?
Trught of fact is, people go where the cost of living is within their " means/affordability " and where the jobs base is large/wide and as diverse and dynamic as the people and the City and area itself .
Exactly why do you people think the reason that Emporia' s population/people has been leaving/declining over the years ?
Could it be that Emporia is becoming a place that people can' t afford to live in ?
And why do you think it is becoming harder and harder to be able to afford to life in Emporia ?
AFFORDABLITY, JOBS and TAX BURDEN/COST OF LIVING are all very strong/motivating factors for either leaving or being attracted to an area . In fact they may be the biggest reasons people leave or come to a City or area .
June 21, 2011 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
It used to be in Real Estate, it was location, location, location. This has changed to jobs, jobs, jobs. This is what Emporia needs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPj0ho...
June 21, 2011 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Emporia needs an enema
June 21, 2011 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
http://www.americanfreepress.net/Alte...
June 22, 2011 at 12:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.americanfreepress.net/Alte...
June 22, 2011 at 12:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html...
June 22, 2011 at 12:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
DOES EMPORIA NEED AN ENEMA? If any of you can take a hot lead enema, then you can cast the first stone at Emporia.
June 22, 2011 at 12:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Hey meth. Your idea of a sound city sounds phenomal, and if it exists, I would love to move there. I just hope the tap water tastes as good as emporias too!
June 22, 2011 at 1:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I've got it! Take the money needed to make this happen from the CVB budget and the motel tax. That money is for promoting tourism, right? This promotes tourism, right? There you go!
Matt
June 22, 2011 at 5:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Methusla' s Fable
Once upon a time, from the late 1940's to the early to mid 1970's there was a City (Emporia ) . It was a thriving, beautiful, economicaly sound City .. perhaps one of the best, economically sound, thriving city's of its size anywhere . The people were happy.
Then, one day the purported self appointed leaders of the City came to prominance and power and the sound ecomical and " Frugal " way things were done at the City Hall of the City changed to one of wants instead of needs and wild spending to try and become like those Citys that these self appointed " Leaders " adored and admired .
So, the wild needless spending and debt building began to take place and the people of this once beautiful city became disatisfied with the spending, high cost of living and began to leave this city .
And the sad thing about this fable is, the fact that the self appointed leaders/rulers and the elected/appointed leaders of this city, turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the pleadings and needs of the citizen taxpayers of this city and only seem to heed the wants of those few self appointed leaders/rulers of this city .
Is this once beatiful and thriving city on the path of " Self destruction ? "
Hmmmmmmm.
Just a fable ??
June 22, 2011 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
americus1987
Emporia was once the " phenominal " city I spoke of .
There were more jobs then, than it now has . The cost of living was once " Affordable " for most everyone, even if they weren't making $20 an hr. .
I managed to buy a house and raise a family on approx. $ 7.50 an hr. and was able to pay my property and sales taxes to boot .
Selfishness, greed and avarice are the dynamics that have changed the face of the world and the economics of countries of the world !
JMO
June 22, 2011 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Cities across this nation most certainly do care about the quality of their drinking water. Nationwide competition for the best water keeps those cities on their toes with regard to achieving better and better water treatment techniques. For one example, many areas with poor water quality cannot compete for food processing companies who want high quality water.
Bobbi is on the right track with regard to ferreting out Emporia's strong suits. Water is one of them.
Remember when Miller Beer bottled water and sent it to Katrina's victims in Miller beer bottles? They must love their water in Milwaukee. Yes, it's a good idea to think in terms of water. What other ways can we harness our water quality?
June 22, 2011 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh, to hell with it all .
First it was " Tourism, the great savior ", " Then it was the " Rocks " , the great savior, now it is the " Water " that will be the great savior !
If the water plant is being " fined " regularly for not have their records up to date and in order, does that actually say anything about how the water quality is achieved or even that the Water is the Best in the state of Kansas or anywhere !
As I said, " To hell with it " , grasping at straws achieves nothing, but the excersize of grasping at straws .
I was born here, have lived here all my life and will more than like die here, as I can not afford to move, because of the needless taxes and spending of " THE CITY " !
Frustrated and fed up ? Yes, Definately .
And I will let all you " straw graspers " try and figure it out, if you can . I have better and more pressing matter to attend to .
June 22, 2011 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I like Matt's idea !
June 22, 2011 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Our water is not going to be "our savior", it's a luxery/idea that we can exploit to the benefit of emporia.
Meth, all the ideas you speak of would be our savior. The economic state of the US from the 40s to the 70s is not a realistic comparison to way things are today. People haven't been able to live off the minimum wage all over the country for some time now. That issue is on a grander scale than just emporia.
June 22, 2011 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
goodoleboy, you state "as for making money off it"......are we making any money off the four "rocks" and which would promote Emporia the most? Four rocks stating "Welcome Emporia" or bottled water that could be carried out of the city and else where with the label reminding where they had been? Which has the greatest opportunity of "selling" Emporia with the possiblity of some investment returned???
June 22, 2011 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kswatchdogg (anonymous) says...
Im by far not in any way an environmentalist, but to put the city name on a bottle of water to advertise just how good of a place we are, is kind of far fetched. Emporia can be known for advertising their name on a bottle in a ditch, or garbage. Thats where most bottles end up. What will happen during a drought? Emporia sure does have bright ideas, but come on. They are just trying to figure out what to do about the loss of water usage. People should be praising the fact that we are using less water. Isnt that what we've been taught since birth. Dont let the water run, dont waste water, etc. Not Emporia just wants to fatten their pockets. I tell you what the town is going down hill. Slowly, but its going.
June 22, 2011 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Good point,sandman.I don't think it's Emporia making money,the point is Emporia helping it's people to make money.The local beverage people might not care for this- How about a radio ID chip in a nice SS water bottle that would activate a "city" chill water dispenser for free.A nice logo would be a constant reminder. You might even take a dispenser to trade fairs,the airport,county fair,maybe at Kansas Speedway.Plus all those places mentioned in other posts.
June 22, 2011 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Sandman,
Neither, if we want to promote Emporia we need to promote what made Emporia a great place to live. Low cost of living, job availability, etc. One must ask what is the end game in selling the water? To make a profit? Nope. To advertise? Just what is it we have to advertise? Crumbling job market? Empty stores and restaurants? Low taxes and cost of living?
Quite simply we have nothing to sell, tourism is not going to do it. Entities that have established tourism bases are suffering, hell if Vegas is having trouble what chance does E town have? Things did not get this way overnight, and it is not the fault of anyone person(well maybe a few had more of a hand in it than others) but it was a steady diet of bad decisions that created the monster we have now.
Mark my words, we have not hit bottom. As unemployment dries up and fuel prices continue to rise more will migrate to the urban areas, couple that with an unrealistic tax burden for a town this size and you have a recipe for disaster. Too many here simply don't make high enough wages to effectively support the tax burdens handed down to them by the powers that be.
Maybe when a car dealership or another large business shuts down they might take notice, but I doubt it.
June 22, 2011 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Jeeez methusla, you get all steamed up just because everyone doesn't agree with you. Everyone has a right to their own point of view.
June 22, 2011 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
goodoleboy,
Have you heard about a certain cafe on the west side of town closing this weekend? That's another few lost jobs if it happens. Unless the owners can lease the building fast. Granted they were minimum wage jobs, but the employees counted on them.
June 22, 2011 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
goodoleboy stated:
"Mark my words, we have not hit bottom. As unemployment dries up and fuel prices continue to rise more will migrate to the urban areas, couple that with an unrealistic tax burden for a town this size and you have a recipe for disaster. "
Have you read the piece on the county commission meeting? Especially the part about studying a sales tax for fairground improvements and other infrastructure? I told people as soon as the courthouse was paid off, they would find another use for a 1/2 cent sales tax. i think we would have to vote on it, do you think it would pass? That might be a good poll for the Gazette to try.
June 22, 2011 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh, I am not " steamed " . I am sad at the sad state of affairs of the City and those who think, grasping at straws is going to save Emporia and its citizens .
And sick and tired of all of the nonsensical, hair brained ideas and schemes, that do nothing but end up costing the taxpayers more .
June 22, 2011 at 6:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Steve,
What closed now? I been out of town. I %100 agree with you about the task, I thought the same as you.
June 22, 2011 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
Good idea, but I would like to make one suggestion. Plastic water bottles are too easily discarded, creating unnecessary waste, especially if not put into a recycle bin. The City should consider reusable water containers for this endeavor. (You can charge more, too.)
June 22, 2011 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Goodoleboy, I so agree with most of what you have written but we must also consider it is not only Emporia that has lost jobs etc. Our whole state,nation is hurting......did we outsource toooooooo many jobs for cheaper work? Are we truly that much further ahead when our own people can't find jobs???? I believe the article also pointed out other cities that were thinking of doing the same, pushing their quality of water???? So wish there was a quick fix......but until we get some jobs that truly pay our people a wage inwhich they can exist, If you look about, Tyson, the bakery, they are all hurting......people ARE broke. They better hold onto those taxes once the court house is paid for down the road for fewer can't carry the burden of past mistakes.
June 22, 2011 at 10:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Also, many states do charge a fee per bottle, a deposit. I know that Michigan charges .10 a bottle. Yes, you are correct, Richie.
June 22, 2011 at 11:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dml (anonymous) says...
Matt has a great idea. Too bad the money has already been spent on gravestones for Emporia
June 22, 2011 at 11:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Richie, after having thought about adding an additional charge for the bottle, two things come to mind, first-none of the other bottled water has an additional charge; second-with that increase, would that decrease the sellablity of the Emporia water? Lots to be considered here.
June 23, 2011 at 1:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good point about the waste problem, Richie.
After watching the very sobering program "Bag It" regarding our use of plastics on PBS last night, I have changed my mind about these plastic water bottles. I don't care how much money they might make for the city. Sorry Bobbi.
Yes, that video was sobering. For one thing, those beached whales we keep hearing about? Their bellies are full of plastic that they can't digest. And it's not only the whales. It's all of us. It's our endocrine systems among others and plastic has been blamed for many health dilemmas including the increasing numbers of children with autism.
I can't find a link to this video or else I'd offer it. I tried to find it. Sorry. All I have is this:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2...
June 23, 2011 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
What I don' t understand is, why would anyone pay for the water that can be " had ", at no cost at all from any public restroom anywhere in the City of Fantastic Water ?
All one would have to do is to go into any public restroom, with their own bottle and fill it with the " Best tasting water in Kansas " !
Or is there going to start being a charge of, oh, say $5.00 per visit to the public restrooms in Emporia, to cover the cost of what ever water may be taken ?
Just think, if a person was afflicted with " Overactive Bladder Syndrome " , it could end up costing them a small fortune just to dine out at a local restaurant, etc. ! And could the restroom charge for this type of person lead to a lawsuit ?
What will it cost to have a " Water Police " to patrol the public restrooms or acess to open water hydrants all over the city , just to keep Emporias Fabulous water from being pilfered ?
Like I have said, " Grasping at Straws " !
I can' t believe that there are so many in Emporia that are kinda like " lemmings ". When that first lemming goes over the cliff, the rest think it must be a good idea and they blindly follow the rest .
The more I think about this, the more problems I see with it .
Just how much study and thought has gone into this idea/scheme and what will be the cost to an already cash strapped City and its citizens ?
How many jobs will this idea create for the cost ?
I for one need a lot of convincing that this is or will be a good idea, before I jump on the " Straw Grasping " train or jump of that " lemming cliff " with the rest .
June 23, 2011 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh, and I forget to mention, what will the cost of a glass of " Fabulous Water " cost at a public restaurant cost ?
What will the water fee for the citizens rise to because of the " Fabolus Water " that could save the Community ?
What I see are problems not necessarily saving graces.
June 23, 2011 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
methusla- I say it's just water.It should be free. I'm not on banthebottle wagon.This is best,safest,cheapest way we have right now to move soda,water,ketchup,juice,mustard,even blood and saline. I don't want to stand outside the store and rinse out my ketchup and pop bottles for reuse,and that's what you'll have with any kind of reusable water bottle,too.And I DON'T like people bringing in reusable sacks that their flu ridden kids have gotten carsick in,laid in the back of the minivan with the dogs,and maybe dropped into cow manure at the farm. One time,one use only.Emporia has already decided it's not worth recycling the plastic.Yet. I know people at the transfer station,that won't happen for a few years unless mandated.
June 23, 2011 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
I've been made aware that the city spends 'X' amount of dollars on bottled water anyway,"so why not get some of of those dollars back?" Good point. For sanitary reasons,I don't care for the reusable bottles anymore.
methusla.I have to issue on this one-Like a lot of local food companies and eateries I like good clean water to process my food with,and to drink.Even the tapwater at Stormont Vail hospital is horrible-that's why they have a purification system.Maybe you'd like to rinse your vegetables in water that tastes like Madison,KS's did in the 50's and 60's.For food prep and uses requiring potable water,we really have something that we can sell to industry.
June 23, 2011 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
bluelightspecial
Just a little info, there are over 600 brands of bottled water on the market already. And that includes some of the most famous names in bottled water and some of these " famous " bottled waters come from pure effervescent.
mineral water springs . Such as Perrier for instance.
And Emporias water does not come from pure effervescent mineral springs, unless you count the Neosho River and what runs off into it natural effervescent.
" Spring " water.
Have you or anyone asked yourself, why has there arisen such a demand for bottled water ? If so. Whats your answer.
Do you know what type of filtration system the Emporia water treatment plant uses to filter the City Water ?
Is it a sand and gravel setteling type system or is it a state of the art Reverse Osmosis Filtration System, which for all intense purposes is reported to be one of the best filtration systems for have a realativly pure and tasty end product ?
Does the Emporia Water Treatment plant still add raw chlorine to the water to disenfect it ?
Does the City water treatment plant still add Fluoride to the public water ? Did you know that Fluoride is a toxic substance. What about Amonia, Alum, Lime, Carbon, etc ?
Does it surprise you to know that such ingredients are added to the public City water ?
Would you pay $20.00 per case for such water ? For that matter do you think that, knowing what is added to the public City water, do you believe that the Citys water is over priced now .
June 23, 2011 at 10:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
methusla,you'll have to ask the operators what the various systems are.My only certifications are Power Plant Operator ll,and reactor component welder. No water involved. As far as the water type,most of ours seems to be Flint Hills runoff.Sorry to upset you earlier, but you pay for the water just like I do.And I'm glad we have some of the best water treatment around,even if does seem to be a horrible bad thing to you that we have it.It's just part of the infrastructure that works quite well.Nothing wrong with capitalizing on what everyone needs to live.If this is all so bad and worthless to you,Mexico will be glad to send a tanker full your way.
June 23, 2011 at 11:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
bluelightspecial
Thank you, for the snide remark.
I can see that you too are a " Straw Grasper " .
Water will not save this City from the needless, sensless spending the the " Folley " that is the City Commission of Emporia .
June 23, 2011 at 11:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
moderator- Please pull all of my posts in this article's thread.
June 24, 2011 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
blue, the moderator only reads these posts once in a great while, so you are probably out of luck. but you brought out a good point about the city using bottled water. Why do they?
Let's do an experiment. Place any remaining bottles of water in city vending machines at their various locations and see if it sells. there have to be some vending machines around city property, aren't there?
June 24, 2011 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
blue makes a great point about reusable containers. Great hell, it's brilliant. I even read it again. After getting on an anti-plastic kick, now I see otherwise when blue puts it so succinctly about the horrors of reusable containers. We just have to be more responsible about disposing of plastic waste. No matter what we do, however, there will be some kind of backlash involved. In the case of plastic, killing the environment. You can't do one thing, and people are such slobs.
I will agree that our water is near to perfect. My kids certainly enjoy drinking from the tap when they come home for visits from places that has water so bad they have to buy it from the Culligan people who deliver it weekly.
Plus, we don't have to have water softening systems either.
I have no complaints whatsoever about Emporia's water. We are very lucky to have it so pure.
Methusla, fluoride, when used in minute amounts, is not toxic. Have you seen the teeth of people who live in areas where there is no fluoride?
I have another point to make in the next post.
June 24, 2011 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
My brother-in-law lives in the high Sierras where he purchased a town that was for sale about ten years ago. Yup, an entire town, population 4, was for sale for 300 grand. He bought it, he loves it, he's a hermit and a snow nut anyway, but that's beside the point.
Shortly after moving up there, he discovered a rather large spring with excellent tasting water. I don't know all the mechanical particulars, but he contacted a water bottling company who sampled the water and pronounced it good. That company now sends a tanker truck up there twice a week during the warm season to pump water from the spring. They truck it to the bottling plant where it is mixed with spring water from other places and marketed, sort of like a co-op. I never asked how much he makes off this water since that is a nosy question, but suffice it to say he claims with a smile that it has paid for the property.
He compares that tanker truck to one of those that go to dairies to pick up milk only he doesn't have to take care of all those dang cows.
My point is, I'm wondering how much money is involved with this bottling of our water? Will it be worth the while? I can see where it was worth my brother-in-law's while since it paid for his town over a few years, but how much can a larger city like ours expect I wonder?
June 24, 2011 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebonnet (anonymous) says...
Most of Meth's objections seem geared around the assumption that the water will be sold just in and around Emporia to Emporia citizens. I don't think that's the plan if I read the article correctly. That would just be silly; who's going to pay money for something when they can just fill their cup from the tap for "free"? The target audience should be travelers on the major highways and interstates, and not just the nearby surrounding areas.
And no, I doubt someone would decide to move to Emporia based solely on the great tasting water, but it might be a contributing factor among many that could push their decision one way or the other.
June 24, 2011 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
All I am saying is, the fantastic water of Emporia is not going to save the City.
And it is going to take a conserted effort on the part of all of the City leaders, both elected and self appointed to cut the escessive, needless, stupid spending and get back to spending on what is needed, such as jobs, infrastructure repair/maintenance and stop spending on or grasping at straws or rocks that may not do anything , but cost the City and the public more than they can or should have to afford to pay for.
All I was saying was there are over 600 bottled waters on the market today and some are better and less expensive than $20.00 per case . The bottled water market is a very competitive market and advertising is not cheap . Remember the $10,000 dollar " O " add ? Did that accomplish anything, except to make the namesake of the magazine more money at the expense of this City and its taxpayers.
How much study, thought has been put into marketing the Fabulous Water of Emporia and how many jobs will be created for the money spent ?
And as I said, why would anyone pay for a bottle of water when they could get it, without paying for it, by filling their own bottle, either plastic or glass from any available water faucet and that was my point about having to have a Water Police to patrol every outside public faucet in town and will a person be charbed an outragous price for a glass of water at a restaurant, if so, what will that do to the restaurant business .
And that is why I asked the simple question, does anyone know exactly why they buy bottled water, in the first place ? Also, if Emporia's water is so fabulous, why do those businesses that sell bottled water and have bottle filling stations, do such a good " Water " business ? Is the bottled water they sell being used only for laundry or cooking purposes ?
Just go to Wal-Mart and set at the benches at the Entrance/Exit doors and take note of how many cases of bottled or self filled jugs of water leave Wal-Mart !
What will happen to the citizens of Emporia's water rates, when the City realizes that they can sell approx. 4 gallons of bottled water for $20.00 and the citizen taxpayers of the City are only paying around $60.00 for approx. 1000 gallons of water ?
And most of us think that the City's water rates are outrageous now !
continued
June 24, 2011 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
continued
There are a lot of contingencies to consider when offering up or even thinking of a plan, whether it is a good, solid plan or a hairbrained, grasping at straws plan.
I say cut unnecessary City spending first, spend only on job creation, public services, infrastructure repair/maintenance . If this is not done first and foremost, this community/City and its people or at least those who have not left are going to be in some real deep doo, doo .
There are a lot of people on these threads that think I loath or hate Emporia .
I do not, loath or hate Emporia . What I loath and hat is what is being done to Emporia and its people by the elected leaders and the egotistical, selfish, self appointed leaders, who insist that they are the only ones who can spend Emporia " forward " . But in fact, they are the ones who have caused the dilemma Emporia and its people are in . but of course they say it is people like me, the " crank in chiefs ", the " rabid dogs " who are to blame for the financial woes of the City and its people.
What I know is, I did not approve any of the unnecessary, unneeded spending and borrowing to spend, that now has the City and its people, some, $ 40 million dollars in debt and growing .
Anger, hatred and loathing ! Yes, I do have those emotions, but not toward the town where I was born and raised and not toward most of the hard working /suffering people, who are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and wonder how they will survive or what tomorrow may bring, in the way of possibly higher taxes, higher public service fees or more needless, unnecessary spending by our city leaders .
June 24, 2011 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
bluebonnet
I realize that the water will not be sold or even purchased, solely by Emporia citizens .
But what happens when the City discovers that they can sell City water for $ 20.00 to visitors or passersby, for approx. 4 gal. of it ? Will they realize that we, as citizens of Emporia are using or aquiring a commodity that the city could charge the citizens of the city much more for, and will this cause the city to ration the fabulous water to the citizens of Emporia, in order to have more to sell to visitors at a much higher price ?
I have been around these so called City leaders for a long time and I kinda know how their selfish, greedy " Mind Gears " seem to mesh and work .
Just as a little experiment, take a look at your last water bill, and calculate how much you paid for approx. 4 gal. of the fabulous Emporia water and then calculate how much would pay, if you were asked or forced to pay approx. $5.00 per gal. for the same water that a visitor would pay at the price of $ 20.00 for a case, 24 bottles of fabulous Emporia water.
I know if I were a visitor to any place, I would not pay $ 20.00 for approx. 4 gal. of any water. That is higher priced than gasoline ! I would by the gasoline and leave that place as fast as I could.
June 24, 2011 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I imagine I do not have to many years left on this " Mortal Coil " so I am not going to worry about the future citizens of Emporia and the mess that they will inherit, as I am getting tired of doing so .
The mess the future citizens of Emporia are going to inherit is what really makes my " Mad " as hell, my son, his children, my grandchildren and the mess won' t even be their fault .
June 24, 2011 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Apparently this water thing is a done deal . Why else would they have bottles already labled and ready to go .
June 24, 2011 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Meth, upon various occasions having read what you've written I have tended to agree, this is not one of them. First, please don't assume it is a "done deal" for Emporia has had those water bottles on hand for a number of years. How do I know this?? While donating time at our local zoo approx. a year or so ago, I was asked to fill some bottles for the children who were doing an activity at the zoo. Yes, they were the "Emporia" bottles.Since it was an extremely hot day and water fountains are limited in the zoo, this was one way for the children to replace the fluid they had lost and with less chance of spillage if indoors.
It has been written that Wichita has taken advantage of the "watered bottle" for sometime. Is it a "shot in the dark"? Yes, but like most things that have come about and proven to be good when given a chance, this could be one of those cases plus the city WOULD be receiving some revenue in return.
June 24, 2011 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
this is off topic, but the topeka c-j posted that ed mckernan III of admire has passed. just thuoght i'd pass this along. complete notice is on cj online.
June 24, 2011 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
As I said in another post Aquafina a Pesi product has been for years (unless it has changed) was just Wichita tap water. They have an outline that looks like mountains on the bottle. There is money that can be made from tap water. If the city could lure a major bottle company or even start bottling our on to sell nationwide. Maybe the Debauge family could look into this? We need to forget the tourist angle. What little jobs the tourist would bring in would be low wages anyway and only ones making the money would be those that already have money
June 24, 2011 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks, scarlet. He posted on the forum as admireed. We should mark his passing. Thanks for posting, Ed. RIP.
June 25, 2011 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
i know create.thats why i brought it up.
i just talked to a friend in admire, he wasn't sick. and he didn't suffer, so i hope this little bit of info helps....
June 25, 2011 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
HEY STEVE! how about a get together? maybe for biscuit and ed????
June 25, 2011 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here is something to get your thought processes working !
Average cost of a case of bottled water at your local Wal-Mart, approx. $ 3.85 .
Plus the fact that you can fill your own, whatever container with " Fabulous Best Tasting Water in Kansas " at the filtered water station at Wal-Mart for even less.
The City " Boobs/leaders " suggested charging $20.00 for a case of bottled Emporia Water ! Who in their right state of mind would pay $ 20.00 for a case of water, when competitors are selling for much less.
Most businesses, usually test market a prospective product at a location, at a price they believe they will get . In order to see how the product will sell and if money can be made at the price the ask.
Here is another thought, Aqua Fina ( Wichita tap water ) is widely sold in Emporia at a fairly cheap price ( for bottled water, much less than $ 20.00 ) . So, here is my thought, if Emprias water is so good tasting, why then, do so many people purchase so much bottled tap water that comes form Wichita, Ks. ?
I suggest, before the City of Emporia jumps whole hog and throws money at a thought to be, " Golden Goose " project, they, themselves, fill a number of cases of Emporia bottled water, put them in various high traffic locations around the area, priced at $ 20.00 per case and see how the sales of Emporia's bottled water fairs against the competition .
There have been a lot of big companys that have had, what they thought was a " Golden Goose " idea, only to have it fail miserably, after investing a lot of money in the idea . Ford Motors, comes to mind, with their " Fabulous Edsel " ! Also American Motors and their " Fabulous " Pacer " !
And there are/have been all kinds of other " consumer" products that have failed to sell, miserably .
In the present economic climate, one can' t expect people to just buy indiscrimtately a ridiculously priced product, just because of a claim of being the " Best " . Especially when they can by a similar product for far less cost.
My advice, for what it is worth, is " Test Market, Test Market, Test Market and Test Market ", before throwing the peoples money at what may be a bad investment . And the City leaders have managed to throw plenty of the peoples money at bad investments, because of bad " advice " from some !
June 26, 2011 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )