Frequently Asked Questions Is bottled water regulated? How do I know that my bottled water is safe? Does bottled water have to be free from contaminants? What are the types of contaminants for which bottled water is checked? How does bottled water differ from tap water? What is the difference between Spring and Purified Water? How long can I store bottled water? What is the concern over Bromides? What if I am unsure which contaminants are in my water? Where can I get additional information on the health effects of contaminants that may be harmful to me? Does the EPA regulate both health and aesthetic contaminants? Are there other organizations that may have information? Is bottled water regulated? Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating bottled water products that are either imported or sold between states. Bottled water is considered a food product, not drinking water. For this reason, it is regulated by the FDA rather than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for regulating public tap water supplies. In addition, many state governments have established regulations governing the quality of bottled products that are produced and/or sold within their state. Click here to read the Bottled Water Regulations Back to Top How do I know that my bottled water is safe? Consumers can ensure that the bottled water brands they consume are safe by making sure the product is independently certified. Look for the NSF Mark on the label or contact the NSF Consumer Affairs Office to verify that your favorite brand carries our independent certification. Special tip for travelers: When visiting foreign countries, make sure your bottled water still has the factory seal when you receive it. Do not accept any product where the seal has been broken, as the quality of the contents cannot be guaranteed. Back to Top Does bottled water have to be free from contaminants? Although bottled water products do not have to be 100% free of all contaminants, any contaminants that are present must be below the maximum permitted level established by the FDA or the state. Consumers can contact the bottler directly to obtain a report showing what contaminants, if any, are present in their bottled water product. Back to Top What are the types of contaminants for which bottled water is checked? Aesthetic Contaminants (affect the taste, odor, or color of the water) Inorganic parameters, including iron, manganese, zinc, chloride, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and fluoride Physical characteristics, including color, odor, and pH. Health-Related Contaminants (a potential health hazard has been established) Inorganic parameters, including arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury, as well as contaminants such as nitrite and nitrate Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), including benzene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene (dry cleaning solvents), and trihalomethanes such as chloroform (chlorination by-products) Herbicides, pesticides, and PCBs Physical characteristics, such as turbidity, and radioactive elements, such as radium and strontium Coliform bacteria, which, although not disease-causing themselves, indicate the possibility that other disease-causing bacteria, may be present. Bottled water companies are required to adequately disinfect their water prior to bottling, using an approved process such as ozonation, ultraviolet disinfection, or chlorination. Back to Top How does bottled water differ from tap water? The source, taste, and treatment methods used are some of the principle differences between bottled water and tap water. Municipalities and private water utilities most often use chlorine to disinfect tap water, which can leave an aftertaste and lead to the development of chlorination byproducts. Many bottled water producers use ozone or ultraviolet disinfection instead. Back to Top What is the difference between Spring and Purified Water? In the bottled water industry, the two most common types of water are spring water and purified water. Because the average consumer doesn't fully understand the differences, they're often left wondering which of the two products to buy when confronted with the choice. Since most consumers are unaware of the specific treatment guidelines behind each type of water, they generally make their selection based on their perceived preference for spring versus purified water on brand name or price. The FDA classifies bottled water according to its origin. Purified Water Specifications Bottled water that has been treated by distillation, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process and that meets the definition of "purified water" in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia can be labeled as "purified water." This water may be sources from spring or municipal systems. Spring Water Specifications Spring water must be derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the earth's surface. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. If some external force is used to collect the water through a borehole, the water must have the same composition and quality as the water that naturally flows to the surface. According to the labeling guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), spring water must come from a pure, natural source and cannot have minerals added or taken away. This means that to label and sell bottled water as spring water, the water can be filtered (but only to a certain level) and disinfected by ozone or ultraviolet (UV) light. At the source or in the bottling plant, the spring water is first filtered to remove physical particles. This step acts as the first barrier against possible biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses or cysts. In order to ensure a bacteria-free environment, the bottler typically provides a second barrier, which is a disinfection step that uses ozone and/or UV light. This multi-barrier approach ensures that no contamination can make its way to the water at the time of bottling. When bottled water was first introduced, disinfection steps weren't always practiced. Rather, bottlers would rely on filtration and good sanitary techniques to purify the water and protect against biological re-growth in the bottles. While these steps were adequate, they didn't always provide a multi-barrier approach to eliminate pathogens from the water. As better filtration and disinfection practices emerged, significant biological control was demonstrated. These measures were reviewed and adopted as a standard practice by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) through its Model Code. Back to Top How long can I store bottled water? The FDA has not established a shelf life for Bottled Water. Creekside Springs recommends a two-year shelf life and prints an expiration date on all products. It should be kept in a dry place, out of direct sunlight. It is also necessary to keep it away from toxic chemicals, such as cleaning agents, solvents, or gasoline. Do not store bottled water in your garage. Back to Top What is the concern over Bromides? Bromide ion is a naturally occurring salt present in some spring water sources, which may be influenced by saltwater intrusion or certain formations that may leach out bromide ion. The presence of bromide ion isn't an issue in purified water since reverse osmosis is used as the filtration step, removing the bromide ion prior to the disinfection step. In spring water plants, where bromate levels may be high, using ozone has raised concerns for bottlers, since ozone can facilitate conversion of bromide ion into bromate, a suspected carcinogen. Because of this, bromate is now limited to a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of less than 10 micrograms per liter by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While bromide isn't found in every water source, its presence cannot be overlooked. In situations where it's present, decisions need to be made. Bottlers first need to determine if the water source is still viable as a spring water source, or if it should be abandoned. This is a difficult decision because spring water sources are limited in number and cannot be recreated. If bromide is present and ozone is being used for disinfection, bottlers need to be aware of the amount of ozone they apply and how accurately they can control the ozone dosage to minimize the conversion rates of bromide to bromate. If the ozone level or contact time with the water is too great, the bottler runs the risk of exceeding the bromate MCL. Fortunately, there are some tools that Creekside Springs employs to help keep bromate formation under control. To start, the ozone level is carefully measured by using dissolved ozone monitors. Accurately measuring dissolved ozone in the water before it reaches the bottle allows control loops between the ozone generator and monitor, resulting in consistent levels and helping to minimize the amount of bromate conversion possible in bottled water. Back to Top What if I am unsure which contaminants are in my water? If you are on a municipal water system, contact your water utility and ask for a copy of their Annual Water Quality Report (also called a Consumer Confidence Report). If you are on a private well, contact your local health department and ask for a list of the typical well water contaminants in your area. Another option is to contact an independent laboratory to have your drinking water tested. Your local or state health department can provide you with the names of laboratories accredited by your state to analyze drinking water. Back to Top Where can I get additional information on the health effects of contaminants that may be harmful to me? You can contact your local health department, your personal physician, or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Back to Top Does the EPA regulate both health and aesthetic contaminants? For health effects contaminants, the U.S. EPA establishes Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for those known to cause, or suspected of causing, health problems. The MCL defines the highest concentration allowed in public water supplies. For aesthetic contaminants, the water may be safe to drink, but not very pleasant because of an undesirable taste, odor, or color. Some water may also stain clothes and fixtures, corrode plumbing, or form a scale and film. Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) are usually recommended by the EPA for these aesthetic water quality factors. SMCLs are useful guides for evaluating the suitability of water for drinking, bathing, clothes washing, cooking, and other domestic uses. Back to Top Are there other organizations that may have information? The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) has information on how to get involved with drinking water protection, as well as information on the EPA Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels. Your local health department or state agency dealing with drinking water may also have information regarding the water and contaminants in your area. Back to Top