Use a
point-of-use water filter
Consider using point-of-use (personal
use, end-of-tap, under sink) filters that remove particles one
micrometer or less in diameter. Filters that use reverse osmosis,
those labeled as "absolute one micron filters," or those labeled as
certified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) -
accredited organization to ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for "Cyst Removal"
provide the greatest assurance of removing Cryptosporidium. As with
all filters, follow the manufacturer's instructions for filter use and
replacement.
Use bottled water
Check the label or call the bottler
to find out how bottled water is treated. The following bottled water
treatments protect against Cryptosporidium: reverse osmosis,
distillation, ultraviolet light, or filtration with an absolute one
micron filter. Bottled waters derived from protected well and
spring water sources are less likely to be contaminated by
Cryptosporidium than those containing untreated municipal drinking
water from less protected sources such as rivers and lakes.
Those who choose to take these precautions should remember that they
can be exposed to waterborne pathogens through water used for brushing
teeth, making ice cubes, and washing fruits and vegetables – not just
through water they drink.
Know what bottled
water you're buying
Bottled water is much more expensive,
per gallon, than tap water. Because of this, consider whether you are
buying it as a healthy alternative to bottled beverages, for its
taste, or for other reasons.
Bottled Water taste
considerations
Many people prefer bottled water
because of its taste. The taste of all water has to do with the
way it is treated and the quality of its source, including its natural
mineral content. Most bottled water comes from a ground water source,
where water quality varies less from day to day, or is treated and
immediately bottled. Bottled water from a dedicated source or plant
may have a more consistent taste than tap water, which mostly comes
from surface sources and must travel through pipes to reach homes.
One of the key taste differences between tap water and bottled water
is due to how the water is disinfected. Tap water may be disinfected
with chlorine, chloramine, ozone, or ultraviolet light to kill
disease-causing germs. Water systems use these disinfectants chlorine
and chloramine because they are effective and inexpensive, and they
continue to disinfect as water travels through pipes to homes and
businesses. Bottled water that is disinfected is typically disinfected
using ozone or other technologies such as ultraviolet light or
chlorine dioxide. Ozone is preferred by bottlers, though it is more
expensive than chlorine, because it does not leave a taste and because
bottlers do not need to worry about maintaining disinfectant in water
sealed in a container. Untreated water, whether from a bottle or from
a tap, will have the characteristic taste of its source.
Bottled Water Terms
The following terms are frequently
used on bottled water labels to describe the water's characteristics,
sources, and methods of treatment.
Artesian water, ground water, spring water,
well water - water from an underground aquifer which may or
may not be treated. Well water and artesian water are tapped through a
well. Spring water is collected as it flows to the surface or via a
borehole. Ground water can be either.
Distilled water - steam from
boiling water is re-condensed and bottled. Distilling water kills
microbes and removes water's natural minerals, giving it a flat taste.
Drinking water – water intended
for human consumption and sealed in bottles or other containers with
no ingredients except that it may optionally contain safe and suitable
disinfectants. Fluoride may be added within limitations set in the
bottled water quality standards.
Mineral water - Ground water that
naturally contains 250 or more parts per million of total dissolved
solids.
Purified water - water that
originates from any source but has been treated to meet the U.S.
Pharmacopeia definition of purified water. Purified water is
essentially free of all chemicals (it must not contain more than 10
parts per million of total dissolved solids), and may also be free of
microbes if treated by distillation or reverse osmosis. Purified water
may alternately be labeled according to how it is treated.
Sterile water - water that
originates from any source, but has been treated to meet the U.S.
Pharmacopeia standards for sterilization. Sterilized water is free
from all microbes.
Note: Carbonated water, soda water, seltzer water, sparkling water,
and tonic water are considered soft drinks and are not regulated as
bottled water.
Begin by reading the
bottled water label
To learn about the quality of bottled
water, begin by reading the label. In addition to the volume of water,
any pertinent nutritional claims, and any contact information for the
bottler, the label may include the type of bottled water, its source,
and the way in which it is treated. For more specific information, you
may need to contact the bottler directly.
Type of bottled
water and source:
Bottlers use standard identifiers,
prescribed by FDA regulations, to describe their water, but the
meanings may be different than you expect. These terms refer to both
the geological sources of the water and the treatment methods applied
to the water. The terms don't necessarily describe the geographic
location of the source or determine its quality.
For instance, "spring water" can be collected at the point where water
flows naturally to the earth's surface or from a borehole that taps
into the underground source. Other terms used on the label about the
source, such as "glacier water" or "mountain water," are not regulated
standards of identity and may not indicate that the water is
necessarily from a pristine area. Likewise, the term, "purified,"
refers to processes that remove chemicals and pathogens. "Purified
water" is not necessarily free of microbes - though it may be.
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. Ground water 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.
Contaminants and methods of
treatment:
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.
Common Bottled Water
Treatments
Distillation
- water is boiled, and the steam is condensed to remove salts, metals,
minerals, asbestos, particles, and some organic materials. Microbes
are killed, including Cryptosporidium.
Micron Filtration - water is
filtered through screens with microscopic holes. The smaller the
filter holes, the more contaminants the filter can remove. Good
filters can remove most chemical contaminants and microbes. Filter
holes are measured in microns. (The period at the end of this sentence
is 500 microns.) When considering filter size, look for an absolute
(the largest hole), not nominal (the average hole) rating. An absolute
one micron filter is needed to remove Cryptosporidium.
Ozonation - water is disinfected
using ozone, which kills most microbes, depending on dosage applied.
Reverse Osmosis - water is forced under pressure to pass through a
membrane, leaving contaminants behind. This process removes all
microbes, minerals, color, turbidity, organic and inorganic chemicals.
Ultraviolet (UV) light - water is
passed through UV light, which kills most microbes, depending on
dosage applied.
If you use a water cooler, remember to clean and sanitize it regularly
according to the manufacture's instructions.
Certification
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.
FDA Bottled Water
Standards
Any bottled water sold in interstate
commerce in the United States including products that originate
overseas must meet the following minimum federal standards (check with
your health department to see what bottled water standards exist for
brands produced, bottled, and sold entirely in one state):
Bottled water must meet FDA standards for physical, chemical,
microbial, and radiological contaminants. When EPA sets a new standard
for a contaminant in tap water, FDA must establish a new standard for
the same contaminant in bottled water or find that EPA's new standard
is not applicable to bottled water.
Bottlers must include the name of the product and type of water; the
name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and the
net content on their labels.
New bottled water sources must be approved by a state or local
jurisdiction. Bottlers must also test their sources and finished
bottled water products at least once a week for microbiological
contaminants and at least once a year for physical, chemical, and
radiological contaminants.
If bottled water is found to be adulterated or hazardous to health, it
is subject to FDA enforcement action, such as seizure of domestic
products and refusal of entry of imports.
Bottlers must operate their plants in accordance with FDA's good
manufacturing practices to ensure that their bottled water products
are safe and produced under safe and sanitary conditions.
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