| As the overall safety of the public water supply is | | | | sources as public water. In fact, many suppliers of |
| under scrutiny thanks to a recent Associated Press | | | | bottled water start out with the tap and then further |
| study that uncovered some disturbing contaminants, | | | | process to create their own distinct brand. Some, |
| many consumers are likely finding themselves | | | | however, do not. |
| wondering if bottled water is better. For many, the | | | | Understanding Spring Water |
| facts about bottled water will make this the clear | | | | While spring water and purified water can come from |
| choice. The problem lies in deciding what kind of | | | | exactly the same underground sources, the |
| bottled water to select. Understanding the | | | | treatment processes that are involved in the two |
| differences between purified water and spring water | | | | varieties can vary rather greatly. In general, spring |
| can guide consumers in the right direction. | | | | water must come from protected, pure underground |
| While there are some distinct differences between | | | | sources to carry this moniker. |
| purified and spring water, many find the overall | | | | According to the IBWA, spring water that is bottled |
| benefits of bottled water in general make this option | | | | must come from an underground source that has |
| a smart one. The extra processing that most bottled | | | | natural water flow to the earth's surface. The water |
| waters are subjected to can help remove impurities | | | | itself must be gathered from the spring or from a |
| that slip through the public water supply's treatment | | | | borehole that taps into an underground formation. To |
| and testing programs. | | | | earn the title of spring water, the collected water |
| Basic Bottled Water Facts Consumers Should Know | | | | itself must carry all the same properties prior to |
| Bottled water undergoes a great deal more regulation | | | | treatment that the spring contains. |
| and scrutiny than many consumers realize. While it is | | | | Spring water is subjected to the same FDA and |
| not regulated by the same agency that oversees the | | | | IBWA standards that other forms of bottled water |
| public water supply - the U.S. Environmental | | | | must adhere to. This means that it must be tested |
| Protection Agency - it does receive government | | | | for quality and that some form of treatment is |
| oversight. In the case of bottled water, the agency | | | | generally called for to insure safety and purity. |
| that insures strict standards are adhered to is the | | | | The Purified Water Difference |
| U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many states also | | | | Depending on the supplier in question, purified bottled |
| add their own layers of protection in regard to | | | | water might actually come from the exact same |
| regulation. | | | | source as spring water. This, however, is where the |
| The FDA itself puts rather high standards on bottled | | | | two varieties differ. |
| water produced within and/or sold within the United | | | | To earn the name "purified," water must undergo |
| States. This agency demands that suppliers of | | | | one or more specialized treatment processes, |
| bottled water, purified, spring or otherwise do the | | | | according to the IBWA. The options include distillation, |
| following things: | | | | reverse osmosis, deionization and so on. Purified |
| - Meet FDA standards - Bottled water companies | | | | water, in essence, is highly treated drinking water |
| must meet the FDA's requirements for safety, | | | | that does not contain the chemical compounds found |
| quality and inspection. These are required in exchange | | | | in the public water supply. Chlorine aftertastes, for |
| for being able to sell products on the US consumer | | | | example, will not be found within purified water. |
| market. These standards, by law, are as strict as or | | | | Distilled Oxygenated Water Is Purified At Its Best |
| stricter than those set by the EPA for public water | | | | Distilled oxygenated water is one form of purified |
| systems. | | | | water that is gaining a lot of attention. To create this |
| - Properly label their products - The FDA demands, | | | | particular product, the source water is distilled for |
| for example, that bottled water companies that use | | | | purification purposes. This step in the process |
| tap water without further processing clearly state so | | | | removes impurities and insures that FDA and IBWA |
| on their labels. | | | | standards are met or exceeded. The oxygenation |
| Beyond FDA regulations, many of America's bottled | | | | process itself requires the infusion of oxygen |
| water suppliers are members of the International | | | | molecules into the end product. The final result is a |
| Bottled Water Association. This voluntary, industry | | | | water product that is clean, crisp tasting and |
| association holds its members to stricter standards | | | | adherent to FDA and IBWA standards. Many find |
| than the federal government and even state | | | | purified bottled water is the superior choice when |
| governments. The IBWA demands that its members: | | | | safety and flavor both matter. |
| - Adhere to safety and quality standards - The | | | | Making the decision to purchase spring water versus |
| IBWA goes above and beyond FDA and EPA | | | | purified water often comes down to personal choice. |
| standards in this regard. | | | | Many people prefer the taste and the added security |
| - Subject themselves to annual, unannounced | | | | that purified bottled water can deliver. The reality is |
| inspections - These are performed to make sure that | | | | many forms of distilled and spring water come from |
| IBWA members are meeting the strict regulations | | | | the exact same source. In the case of purified |
| the association places on its membership. | | | | water, however, the extra treatment measures can |
| Bottled water sometimes comes from the same | | | | deliver peace of mind and an excellent flavor both. |