*Types of treated water (terms found on labels): Oxygenated, ozonated, disinfected, carbonated, filtered, distilled.

2. Q: How long can I store bottled water?
  A: Currently, there is no established shelf life for bottled water. When stored properly, bottled water can be used indefinitely, making it cited as a number-one item to store in case of an emergency.

Proper storage includes keeping the bottled sealed and in a cool, dry environment away from toxic chemicals such as gasoline, paint thinners and cleaning chemicals. Although expiration dates can be found on some bottled waters, it does not reflect a lesser quality of water after that date and is there for stock rotation, according to IBWA.

3. Q: How many brands of bottled water are available in the United States?
  A: Reportedly, there are more than 700 brands. Approximately 75 brands are from imported waters.

4. Q: How many bottling facilities are located in the United States?
  A: There are approximately 430 bottling facilities.

5. Q: What is the most widely used treatment for bottled waters?
  A: Due to its lack of chemical residual aftertaste or smell, ozone is the most commonly used final disinfectant agents, according IBWA. Ultraviolet light also is used.

6. Q: What are "enhanced" bottled waters?
  A: "Enhanced waters" is a general term used to describe water with additions such as flavors, colors and vitamins. It also can include oxygenated and mineral water. It is anticipated that flavored waters will be where most of the growth is seen in the future and it will go to those companies that can get the brand loyalty.

Bottled water found itself in direct competition with beverages such as fruit juice, soft drinks and sports drinks. Companies found themselves seeking ways to compete with other categories by making water more appealing to both adults and children who sought out better tasting, less bland beverages for their healthier lifestyles.

Aesthetics is the main drive for this category to exist. Consumers want variety and the demand for choices pushes this category to strive for more vitamins, wider varieties of flavors and higher quality.

Other terms that have been used to describe bottled waters in the enhanced category include differentiated, functional and value added.

7. Q: How is bottled water regulated?
  A: Bottled water is the most highly regulated packaged food products that is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, IBWA model code and states. As a food product, bottled water is subject to food branding and adulteration provisions while also required to have nutrition labeling and claims. Regulations contained in the IBWA Model Code, exceed the FDA regulations currently in place for bottled water.

8. Q: . Is bottled water required to be free of contaminants?
  A: Bottled water is not required to be 100 percent contaminant-free. However, any contaminants must be below the maximum permitted level that is established by either the FDA or state.

9. Q: Bottled water is checked for which types of contaminants?
  A: There are two categories that are checked, according to NSF International's program.

• Aesthetic contaminants–These include inorganic parameters such as iron, manganese, fluoride and TDS, and physical characteristics including color and odor. Aestethic contaminants affect the odor, color and taste.

• Health-related contaminants–These include inorganic parameters such as arsenic, chromium, lead and nitrates; volatile organic chemicals such as benzene and trihalomethanes; herbicides and pesticides; physical characteristics such as turbidity and radioactive elements (i.e., radium); and coliform bacteria.

10. Q: What is a PET bottle?
  A: PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate and is a high-grade material used for bottled water because of its lack of producing a "plastic" taste in the water itself. Unlike its alternatives such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which do tend to have a plastic taste. PET containers also tend to be more expensive.

11. Q: Which category do soda water, seltzer water and tonic water fall into?
  A: Soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters. They are regulated separately, may contain sugar and calories and are considered soft drinks.

12. Q: Where is the most growth in the bottled water market?
  A: Single-serve containers are seeing the most growth. It is predicted that the approximately 10 percent growth the single-serve sector has experienced in the past will continue. According to a study by Beverage Marketing Corp., the Asian market's projected growth is 15 percent during 2001 to 2006. The European market also continues to grow.

13. Q: How much bottled water is sold in the U.S.?
  A: In 2002, 6,018.5 millions of gallons of bottled water were sold in the United States up 10.9 percent over 2001, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp. Approximately $7,700 million were spent in 2002 on bottled water, which increased 11.9 percent over the previous year.

Other statistics include

• 5,425.3 million gallons and $6,880 million sold in 2001.

• 4,904.4 million gallons and $5,809 million sold in 2000.

• 4,583.4 million gallons and $5,314.7 million sold in 1999.

• 4,130 million gallons and $4,666.1 million sold in 1998.

14. Q: Can bottled water be manufactured from tap water?
  A: Yes. Some bottled water such as distilled is tap water (from a community water supply) that underwent a process to lower the mineral content and remove chemicals. If bottled water is labeled as "spring water" or "mineral water," it must originate from a potable underground source.

Public water supplies must be approved by the EPA before they can be used. Once the source is approved, the bottled water product moves to the FDA's jurisdiction, which covers such things as bottling, safety seals, sanitary containers and even environmental issues.

IBWA reports that as much as 25 percent of all available bottled water is bottled at a public source. There is virtually no taste difference between bottled water from a natural source and those from a public water system.

15. Q: How is bottled water processed?
  A: Bottled water comes from both natural or public sources. It begins as tap water or well water and is treated by filtration (reverse osmosis, micron filtration) followed by disinfection (ozone if the preferred method).

According to the Pacific Water Quality Association, the law states that spring water much be from a natural spring. Spring or well water is deep in the Earth not from the surface where organisms such as Cryptosporidium can be found. Although not all bottled water is treated, it is required to be disinfected by either ozone or ultraviolet treatments.

Spring and well water sources are inspected and certified by the state or country for quality.

16. Q: How often are bottled water plants inspected?
  A: Bottling plants that are members of IBWA are subjected to annual, unannounced inspections from NSF International. The inspection covers the plant from source to the finished product.

17. Q: What is NSF's Bottled Water Certification Program?
  A: The NSF Bottled Water Certification Program is an annual, voluntary certification process that includes both extensive product evaluations and on site audits of bottling facilities.

The Bottled Water Certification program verifies that a bottling facility and product waters meet the requirements of FDA Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter 1, Parts 110, 129, and 165, or Codex Alimentarius requirements (EC 80/777). These regulations establish quality standards for bottled water and good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for the bottler. The program provides for an annual unannounced facility inspection and source/product water testing in accordance with the appropriate federal regulations.

Bottlers meeting all requirements are authorized to use the NSF Listing Mark and are included in the published Listing Book. Advertising and promotional use of the Mark is permitted including its use on product packaging.

The certification program is designed to assist in establishing the credibility of bottled water products, and to assure regulators and consumers that issues raised by ongoing scrutiny are not critical concerns.

18. Q: Do imported bottled waters have to meet the same standards as domestic?
  A: Yes. All bottled waters sold in the United States are required to meet the same regulations as those produced in the country.

19. Q: Who regulates bottled water?
  A: Bottled water is governed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food product with regulatory enforcement at the state level. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to evaluate contaminants in drinking water for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the FDA must review these regulations for their suitability for regulation of bottled water. Each state may adopt the FDA regulations or develop their own state regulations which meet or exceed those established by the FDA.
In addition, industry associations such as the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and the Canadian Bottled Water Association (CBWA), establish their own criteria by which member bottlers are held accountable.

20. Q: What analysis do I need to perform on my water?
  A: Bottled water testing requirements are continually changing and evolving to adequately address industry concerns and ensure the safety and quality of the bottled water products. To sell bottled water in the U.S., analysis is required on each raw source water and each type of finished product water (i.e. spring, distilled, or purified.). The scope of parameters required is determined by evaluating various factors including FDA regulations, type of water, treatment methods utilized, and regulations enforced by each state in which the water is licensed for sale.

21. Q: How often should I perform analysis on my source and finished products?
  A: The majority of the chemical and physical contaminants are required to be tested annually. This is referred to as the “annual test”. Based on FDA, state, and/or IBWA requirements, certain parameters may be required on a quarterly or monthly basis. Testing for total coliform bacteria and standard/heterotrophic plate count (TC&SPC) are typically performed weekly by a certified lab; however, some states vary on the frequency required for microbiological analysis. Bottlers should consult their laboratory representative to confirm the current requirements that apply to their business.
As part of a diligent QC program, bottlers should also perform certain test daily at their plants (i.e. TC&SPC, TDS, and pH.).

22. Q: What analysis should I perform if I get a taste or odor complaint about my water?
  A: If you believe that the complaint could be the result of a quality control issue and you would like the sample analyzed, it is important that you notify your laboratory immediately. Some chemicals volatilize over time and may be undetectable if the sample is not transferred to proper sample containers soon enough.
If a customer calls to complain about an “off” taste or odor, you should ask the following questions:

• Is there only an “off” taste, odor or color or some combination?
• How would they describe the taste, odor and/or color (sweet, fruity, stale, plastic, chemical, bitter, earthy, musty, or metallic.)?
• Was the “off” taste and/or odor immediately apparent upon opening or did it develop gradually?
• Did the taste and/or odor dissipate over time?
• Do they still have the bottle in question? If so, will they give it to you?
• When was the bottle opened?
• What is the brand name, container size and production code of the water in question?
• When and where did they purchase the water?
• How, where and under what conditions has the water been stored?
- Was it exposed to extreme cold, heat, or direct sunlight?
- Were any cleaning products, chemicals, gasoline or other petroleum products stored in the vicinity of the water?
The answers to these questions may be valuable clues to help diagnose the problem.