For as long as I can remember, I have been a Coca-Cola girl.

Except for a brief period of time when I was trying to go sugar-free.

I confess, I switched to Diet Pepsi.

My beloved Coke just did not taste the same without all the calories.

As my taste buds began to adjust to diet beverages, I went back to Coke and have been happy ever since.

As a youngster, soft drinks were scarce in my home and were usually allowed only every now and then, on weekends.

When I entered my tweens, things changed.

During my summers at the Marion Park pool, each afternoon I was allowed to purchase one soft drink and one candy selection from the vending machines.

Back then, both Coke and candy combined only cost 50 cents, and after several hours of sun and swimming, it was a half dollar well spent.

Once I moved to college and had complete control of my diet, my dorm fridge was always stocked with the Real Thing.

Now older, Coca-Cola is still my go-to beverage, but in an effort to incorporate some healthier habits, I have been trying to drink more water.

Unlike Coke, water has never appealed to me even when I am just downright hot and thirsty after a long day in the yard.

Coke was, and still is, my drink of choice.

However, because I am striving to be more health-conscious and consume more water, I have now limited myself to one Diet Coke a day.

Things are going pretty well, and I am now even in the habit of fixing myself a glass of ice water before I go to bed.

I know a lot of folks may turn their nose up at water from the faucet, thinking it is not as safe as bottled water; but for those of us living in Vicksburg, this is not the case.

Back in August, North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield announced at a meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, that according to the American Water Works Association, our city has the best water treatment plant in Mississippi.

This is due in part to ESG, the company that was hired in 2016 to manage and operate the city’s water treatment plant.

While other towns like Flint, Mich., have been exposed to contaminated water, we here in the River City are quite fortunate. No worries of elevated lead levels or unhealthy chemicals.

I don’t know about you, but I think this is awesome, especially after reading reports on a New York Times website.

In 2018, it was reported since 1982, between 3 and 10 percent of the country’s water systems have been in violation of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The report also stated in 2015 alone, as many as 21 million Americans may have been exposed to unsafe drinking water.

Coca-Cola’s slogan in 1976 was “Coke adds life.”

It certainly makes me happy, but no matter how much I enjoy the carbonated beverage, water is essential to life.

And although I’m still not downing the suggested half a gallon of water a day, at least what I am consuming is safe.

 

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.