Mayor Greg Nickels says city water is every bit as good at bottled water so he is banning city purchase of bottled water.

The mayor says Seattle enjoys some of the world's best public water, born in the pristine watersheds of the Cascade Mountains and that it meets or beats the quality of expensive bottled water and is available at every tap served by Seattle Public Utilities. The mayor's order - which applies only to city departments - is said to be the first step in an effort to promote Seattle's water and get people to consider kicking the bottle habit.

"This is a matter of leading by example," Nickels said. "The people of Seattle own one of the best water supplies in the country, every bit as good as bottled water and available at a fraction of the price. When you add up the tremendous environmental costs of disposable plastic bottles clogging our landfills, the better choice is crystal clear."

Last year, the city spent about $58,000 for bottled water at city facilities and events. The mayor's order would phase out city purchases of bottled water by the end of the year, while encouraging employees to switch to municipal water. It would not ban the private purchase of bottled water by city employees.