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Home , Bottled water, Distilled water, Mineral, Mineral water, Purified water, Tap water

Table of Contents

Bottled basics ...... pg.2

Advice for people with severely compromised immune systems (Sidebar) ...... pg2

Know what you’re buying ...... pg.3

Taste considerations ...... pg.4

Bottled water terms (Sidebar) ...... pg.4

Begin by reading the label ...... pg.5

Type of water and source ...... pg.5

Contaminants and methods of treatment .... pg.6

Common treatments (Sidebar) ...... pg.6

Certification ...... pg.7

Contact information ...... pg.8

FDA bottled water standards (Sidebar) ...... pg.8 Advice for people with sonal use, end-of-tap, under sink) severely compromised Bottled water basics filters that remove particles one water provided by public water suppliers; FDA sets immune systems micrometer or less in diameter. standards for bottled water based on EPA standards. Bottled water is the fastest growing choice Filters that use , Bottled water and are both safe to drink if Some people may wish to take those labeled as “absolute one in the United States, and Americans spend bil- they meet these standards, although people with special precautions with the water micron filters,” or those labeled as lions of dollars each year to buy it (Beverage severely weakened immune systems or other specific they drink. In particular, people certified by an American National health conditions may wish to further treat their water with immune systems that are Marketing Corporation, 2004) Some people Standards Institute (ANSI) - at home or purchase high quality bottled water. weakened by AIDS, chemothera- drink bottled water as an alternative to other accredited organization to py or transplant medications are beverages; others drink it because they prefer its ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for “Cyst more vulnerable to microbial con- taste or think it is safer than their tap water. Removal” provide the greatest FDA regulates bottled water as a packaged taminants in such assurance of removing under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as . Whether it travels through a to your home or Cryptosporidium. As with all filters, and has established standards of identity and comes packaged in a bottle, safe drinking water is follow the manufacturer’s instruc- quality for bottled water. FDA has also established Cryptosporidium is a microscopic essential to good health.All our drinking water tions for filter use and replace- good practice requirements for parasite that in the intestine of comes from similar sources, either from sources we ment. processing and bottling drinking water. infected animals and humans. It can see, such as and , or from sources passes in the stool in its dormant we can’t see, such as underground . Use bottled water EPA encourages all Americans to learn more about oocyst form.The oocyst is protect- the quality of their drinking water, both tap water ed by an outer shell that allows it Check the label or call the bottler In the same way that tap water’s taste and quality and bottled water, before deciding whether to to survive outside the body for to find out how bottled water is drink tap water, bottled water, or both. If your long periods of time and makes it may vary from place to place, so too does bottled treated. The following bottled water comes from a , the best very resistant to -based water’s taste and quality vary among and even water treatments protect against disinfectants. It occurs mainly in within brands.The taste and quality of both bot- Cryptosporidium: reverse osmosis, way to learn more about tap water is to read your sources, such as tled water and tap water depend on the source , light, or filtra- water supplier’s annual report. If lakes, streams and rivers. In healthy and quality of the water, including its natural tion with an absolute one micron your water comes from a household , EPA rec- adults,Cryptosporidium can cause ill- content and how, or if, the water is treated. filter.Bottled derived from ommends testing the water regularly for , ness,but for people with weakened protected well and water nitrates, and other contaminants.The best way to immune systems, it can cause Drinking water (both bottled and tap) can rea- sources are less likely to be con- learn more about bottled water is to read its label, severe illness and even death. sonably be expected to contain at least small taminated by Cryptosporidium than or contact the producer directly. amounts of some contaminants.The presence of those containing untreated munic- Those who wish to take extra contaminants does not necessarily indicate that ipal drinking water from less pro- Know what you’re buying measures to avoid waterborne tected sources such as rivers and the water poses a health risk. For example, min- can bring their lakes. erals such as and give water Bottled water is much more expensive, per gallon, drinking water to a boil for a full than tap water. Because of this, consider whether minute. water is the a distinctive flavor, and are essential to the body. Those who choose to take these you are buying it as a healthy alternative to bottled most effective way of killing At high levels, however, these and other contami- precautions should remember Cryptosporidium.As an alterna- nants, such as pesticides or microbes from human that they can be exposed to beverages, for its taste, or for other reasons. tive to boiling water, people may wastes, can cause adverse effects or illness. waterborne pathogens through take the following measures: water used for brushing teeth, To make sure that all water is safe to drink, the making cubes, and washing Use a point-of-use filter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and fruits and vegetables – not just the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set through water they drink. Consider using point-of-use (per- drinking water standards. EPA sets standards for tap 2 3 Bottled Water Terms - water that Taste considerations originates from any source Begin by reading the label The following terms are fre- but has been treated to meet quently used on bottled Many people prefer the U.S. To learn about the quality of bottled water, water labels to describe the Pharmacopeia bottled water begin by reading the label. In addition to the water’s characteristics, definition of because of its taste. volume of water, any pertinent nutritional claims, sources, and methods of purified water. treatment. The taste of all water Purified water is and any contact information for the bottler, the has to do with the way essentially free label may include the type of bottled water, its Artesian water, ground it is treated and the of all chemicals source, and the way in which it is treated. For water, spring water, well quality of its source, (it must not more specific information, you may need to water - water from an under- including its natural contain more contact the bottler directly. ground which may or mineral content. Most than 10 parts may not be treated. Well bottled water comes per million of Type of water and source: water and artesian water are from a ground water total dissolved tapped through a well. Spring source, where water ), and may Bottlers use standard identifiers, prescribed by water is collected as it flows quality varies less from also be free of FDA regulations, to describe their water (Bottled to the surface or via a bore- day to day, or is treat- microbes if water terms, pgs 4 and 5), but the meanings hole. Ground water can be treated by dis- ed and immediately bottled. Bottled water from a ded- may be different than you expect.These terms refer to either. tillation or reverse osmosis. icated source or may have a more consistent both the geological sources of the water and the Purified water may alternately - from taste than tap water, which mostly comes from sur- be labeled according to how treatment methods applied to the water.The boiling water is recondensed face sources and must travel through pipes to reach it is treated. terms don’t necessarily describe the geographic and bottled. Distilling water homes. location of the source or determine its quality. kills microbes and removes Sterile water - water that water’s natural , giv- One of the key taste differences between tap water originates from any source, For instance,“spring water” can be collected at the ing it a flat taste. and bottled water is due to how the water is disinfec- but has been treated to meet point where water flows naturally to the ’s surface ted.Tap water may be disinfected with chlorine, chlo- the U.S. Pharmacopeia stan- or from a borehole that taps into the underground Drinking water – water ramine, , or ultraviolet light to kill disease-causing dards for sterilization. source. Other terms used on the label about the intended for human consump- germs.Water systems use these disinfectants chlorine Sterilized water is free from source, such as “ water” or “mountain water,” tion and sealed in bottles or and chloramine because they are effective and inex- all microbes. are not regulated standards of identity and may not other containers with no pensive, and they continue to disinfect as water travels indicate that the water is necessarily from a pristine ingredients except that it may Note: , through pipes to homes and . Bottled water area. Likewise, the term,“purified,” refers to processes optionally contain safe and soda water, seltzer water, that is disinfected is typically disinfected using ozone or that remove chemicals and pathogens.“Purified suitable disinfectants. sparkling water, and tonic may be added within limita- other such as ultraviolet light or chlorine water are considered soft water” is not necessarily free of microbes – though it tions set in the bottled water dioxide. Ozone is preferred by bottlers, though it is and are not regulated may be. quality standards. more expensive than chlorine, because it does not as bottled water. leave a taste and because bottlers do not need to - Ground worry about maintaining disinfectant in water sealed water that naturally contains in a container. Untreated water, whether from a bottle 250 or more parts per million or from a tap, will have the characteristic taste of its of . source.

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Common Bottled size, look for an Treatments Bottled water must be tested and meet regulatory stan- absolute (the largest hole), The best way to know if the water you are drink- dards before it can be sold in the U.S. (See page 8 for not nominal (the average ing is free from the contaminant(s) you are con- Distillation - water is boiled, details.) Bottled water, like tap water, can come from a hole) rating. An absolute one cerned about is to contact the bottler and ask for and the steam is condensed ground water source, such as a well or spring, or a sur- micron filter is needed to the latest testing results and whether the water to remove , metals, min- face water source, such as a or stream. Most bot- remove Cryptosporidium. has been treated to remove the contaminant. erals, asbestos, particles, and tled water comes from a ground water source. Ground some organic materials. Ozonation - water is disin- water is typically less vulnerable to contamination than Many public water systems add fluoride to their fected using ozone, which water from surface sources. However, ground water can kills most microbes, depend- water; most bottlers do not. If bottled water is fluoridat- still contain naturally high amounts of certain contami- ing on dosage applied. ed, it must indicate so on the label, though bottled nants, including radioactive elements, , and water and tap water can contain naturally occurring nitrates, or be vulnerable to contamination from human Reverse Osmosis - water is fluoride. Check with your public water system or bottler activities, such as industrial waste, faulty septic systems, forced under pressure to to find out if the water you drink contains fluoride. and underground gas or chemical tanks. pass through a membrane, leaving contaminants behind. Certification Some bottled water comes from surface water This process removes all sources.This water typically comes from a public microbes, minerals, color, tur- Neither EPA nor FDA certify bottled water. However, water system and receives additional treatment, such bidity, organic and inorganic consumers may notice a logo or seal from two other as filtration and disinfection, before it is bottled. chemicals. organizations on the label.

Ultraviolet (UV) light - Bottlers must list on the label the type of bottled water The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is a trade water is passed through UV (such as spring water, mineral water, or drinking water). If light, which kills most organization for water bottlers.IBWA members must meet the the water comes from a public water system and has not microbes, depending on organization’s “model code”and are subject to annual inspec- been treated to meet FDA’s definition of “purified” or dosage applied. tions by an independent third party. Bottlers belonging to “sterile” water, the label must state that the source is from IBWA frequently indicate membership on their labels. a community water system. NSF International - Bottled water certified by NSF under- Microbes are killed, including Contaminants and methods of goes additional testing by unannounced annual plant Cryptosporidium. treatment: inspections. NSF certifications mean that the bottler complies with all applicable FDA requirements, includ- Micron Filtration - water is If you are concerned about a particular contaminant in ing good manufacturing practices. filtered through screens with your drinking water, consider the following questions: Is microscopic holes.The small- the source water likely to contain the contaminant? Has Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) is an independent er the filter holes, the more the water been treated to remove the contaminant? accredited testing and certification organization that contaminants the filter can remove. Good filters can tests bottled water to FDA, state, and IBWA model code remove most chemical con- Water that originates from a protected ground water requirements. taminants and microbes. source is less likely to contain certain contaminants Filter holes are measured in (such as disease-causing microbes), but not all ground microns. (The period at the water is protected, and no water is guaranteed to be If you use a water cooler, remember to end of this sentence is 500 completely free of contaminants. clean and sanitize it regularly according microns.) When considering to the manufacture’s instructions. 6 7 FDA Bottled Water at least once a week for micro- Standards For more information on bottled water: biological contaminants and at For more information about tap water: least once a year for physical, Any bottled water sold in chemical, and radiological con- Contact the bottler directly, ask for its latest testing To learn about the quality of your tap water, contact interstate commerce in the taminants. United States including prod- results, and compare these results with EPA’s tap water your water supplier and ask for the annual consumer ucts that originate overseas standards (www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html) or FDA’s If bottled water is found to confidence report.This report will list what contami- must meet the following mini- bottled water standards to determine its quality. be adulterated or hazardous nants have been detected in the water, and how those mum federal standards (check to health, it is subject to FDA levels compare with EPA’s standards. with your health department Food and Drug Administration enforcement action, such as to see what bottled water seizure of domestic products Center for and Applied EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline standards exist for brands and refusal of entry of produced, bottled, and sold Outreach and Information Center imports. 1 (800) 426-4791 entirely in one state): 5100 Paint Branch Parkway www.epa.gov/safewater - includes drinking water HFS-555 Bottlers must operate their standards, state certification officers for water testing, Bottled water must meet FDA College Park, MD 20740-3835 in accordance with and information for household well owners. standards for physical, chemi- www.cfsan.fda.gov FDA’s good manufacturing cal, microbial, and radiological practices to ensure that their (888) SAFEFOOD; (888) 723-3366 contaminants.When EPA sets a bottled water products are new standard for a contami- safe and produced under safe nant in tap water, FDA must International Bottled Water Association and sanitary conditions. establish a new standard for 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 650 the same contaminant in bot- Alexandria,VA 22314 Contact EPA for standards tled water or find that EPA’s www.bottledwater.org for the tap water provided new standard is not applicable by public water systems, or [email protected] to bottled water. see www.epa.gov/safewater/ (800) 928-3711 mcl.html. Bottlers must include the name of the product and type NSF International of water;the name and address P.O. Box 130140 of the manufacturer, packer, or Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0140 distributor; and the net con- tent on their labels. www.nsf.org [email protected] New bottled water sources 877-8-NSF-HELP; (877) 867-3435 must be approved by a state or local jurisdiction. Bottlers must Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. also test their sources and fin- 110 South Hill Street ished bottled water products South Bend, IN 46617 www.UL.com/water [email protected] (800) 332-4345

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