Bottled water must be tested and meet regulatory standards before it can be sold in the U.S. Bottled water, like tap water, can come from a ground water source, such as a well or spring, or a surface water source, such as a river or stream. Most bottled water comes from a ground water source. Groundwater is typically less vulnerable to contamination than water from surface sources. However, ground water can still contain naturally high amounts of certain contaminants, including radioactive elements, arsenic,and nitrates, or be vulnerable to contamination from human activities, such as industrial waste, faulty septic systems, and underground gas or chemical tanks. Some bottled water comes from surface water sources. This water typically comes from a public water system and receives additional treatment, such as filtration and disinfection, before it is bottled. Bottlers must list on the label the type of bottled water (such as spring water,mineral water,or drinking water). If the water comes from a public water system and has not been treated to meet FDA’s definition of “purified” or “sterile”water, the label must state that the source is from a community water system.If you are concerned about a particular contaminant in your drinking water, consider the following questions: Is the source water likely to contain the contaminant? Has the water been treated to remove the contaminant? Water that originates from a protected ground water source is less likely to contain certain contaminants (such as disease-causing microbes), but not all ground water is protected, and no water is guaranteed to be completely free of contaminants.
The best way to know if the water you are drinking is free from the contaminant(s) you are concerned about is to contact the bottler and ask for the latest testing results and whether the water has been treated to remove the contaminant. Many public water systems add fluoride to their water; most bottlers do not. If bottled water is fluoridated, it must indicate so on the label, though bottled water and tap water can contain naturally occurring fluoride. Check with your public water system or bottler to find out if the water you drink contains fluoride.
Neither EPA nor FDA certify bottled water. However, consumers may notice a logo or seal from two other organizations on the label. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is a trade organization for water bottlers. IBWA members must meet the organization’s “model code”and are subject to annual inspections by an independent third party. Bottlers belonging to
IBWA frequently indicate membership on their labels. NSF International - Bottled water certified by NSF undergoes additional testing by unannounced annual plant inspections. NSF certifications mean that the bottler complies with all applicable FDA requirements, including good manufacturing practices. Underwriters Laboratories,Inc.(UL) is an independent accredited testing and certification organization that tests bottled water to FDA, state, and IBWA model code requirements.
This information is a highlight of bottled water basics provided by the EPA.
