With bottled water sales on the rise, it's common to see Sewickleyans walking village streets with those familiar clear plastic bottles in hand.

But despite the hype, some residents choose to stick with their local water source.

The International Bottled Water Association's official website (www.bottledwater.org [1]) reports bottled water was expected to surpass competitors to become the second most popular commercial beverage, after soft drinks, in the U.S. in 2003.

From 2001 to 2002, the industry saw a 12.3 percent increase in sales.

Laura Palitti, Sewickley resident, doesn't drink bottled water, but has tried it.

She didn't notice a significant difference from her tap water, but thought it might be healthier.

"I do think it's better for you," she says.

While any kind of water may contain small amounts of some contaminants, bottled water can be altered extensively.

"They can do any variety of things to filter and disinfect it," says Ray Wolfgang, superintendent of the Borough of Sewickley Water Authority (BSWA).

BSWA water system serves Sewickley, Osborne, Haysville, Sewickley Heights and Edgeworth, and sells bulk water to the Aleppo Township Authority.

Sewickley water is obtained from three sources: a well on the southern portion of the lot at 900 Ohio River Boulevard, another well on the northern portion of the same lot and a wood intake crib structure buried under the river bed of the Ohio River.

All sources are considered to be ground water sources, which are a higher quality source of raw water with less possibility of biological contamination.

Doug Alpern of Sewickley drinks bottled water and uses a filter when he drinks water at home. He says tap water can "taste rusty or dirty."

For those residents who just rely on the tap, the BSWA works to keep the water clean and uncontaminated.

Wolfgang says most tests for compliance with the county health department got through a certified test lab.

The plant runs on a schedule released from the health de-partment at the beginning of each year.

Tests occur at various intervals depending on the potential contaminant. Every month the water is tested for bacteria.

This year the system will undergo nitrate testing.

Water is tested daily for chlorine, fluorine, hardness and alkalinity to verify the plant has proper dosages.

Volatile organic contaminants, copper, lead and inorganic contaminants are sampled every three years.

Testing for gross beta particle activity and alpha emitter excluding radon and uranium was performed during 2000 by the Pennsylvania DEP laboratory without detecting either contaminant.

This year's Consumer Confidence Report from the BSWA shows water contaminant test results from 2002. All contaminants were under their action level, the concentration triggering treatment or other requirements.

Nitrate was detected at a level of 4, whereas its action level is 10. Lead, with an action level of 15, was detected at 5.3.