Producing crisp, refreshing, great-tasting water is harder than it looks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act1, which means we're required to meet stringent standards for quality and safety. Primo Water North America drinking water products; regional brands including Alhambra®, Belmont Springs®, Crystal Springs®, Deep Rock ®, Hinckley Springs®, Kentwood Springs®, Mount Olympus®, Sierra Springs® and Sparkletts®; and our national brands, Athena® Water and Nursery® Water, meet or exceed these standards, something we prove in certified laboratory tests.
Only the Best Bottled Water for You
Not just any water makes it into our bottles. We go through multiple, closely monitored processing steps to ensure every container meets or exceeds our high quality standards.
Federal, state and industry bottled water quality standards establish limits for microbiological, physical, chemical and radiological substances for both source water and bottled water products.2 Under federal Good Manufacturing Processes, only approved sources of water can supply a bottling plant.
Spring water from our Ephrata, Pennsylvania bottling facility contains natural spring water sourced from Bethany Spring, Heidelberg Township, PA.
Federal Regulations
The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). All bottled water products must comply with the FDA's Quality Standards listed in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR).2 These include:
- Standards of identity regulations to define different types of bottled water2
- Standards of quality regulations that establish allowable levels of chemical, physical, microbial and radiological contaminants2
- Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations for processing and bottling2
- Labeling regulations2
In addition, bottled water must comply with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. This act requires records maintenance and the registration of bottling and operations/sales facilities with the FDA.3
State Bottled Water Standards
Bottled water regulations vary from state to state, in general they cover:
- Setting quality standards
- Laboratory certification
- Plant inspections
- Issuing bottling plant permits
- Approving water sources
- Reviewing bottled water product labeling
Bottled Water Industry Standards
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) maintains a strict Bottled Water Code of Practice for its members.4 DS Services, (Primo Water North America), is an IBWA member and meets or exceeds their quality requirements by complying with the following standards:
- Annual inspections by third-party auditors
- Adherence to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Program
- Audits to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and industry bottled water quality regulatory standards
For more information about IBWA and the IBWA Code of Practice, visit bottledwater.org or call IBWA at 1-800-water-11.
Water Quality Reports
The following reports were conducted by certified labs on our water quality. The analyses include bottled drinking water quality test results for inorganics, organics and radiological substances as well as physical parameters.
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Learn the facts about your drinking water from the Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF).
1Bottled Drinking Water Standards, Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 349, s. 410, fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Legislation/FederalFoodDrugandCosmeticActFDCAct/FDCActChapterIVFood/ucm107854.htm
2 Regulation of Bottled Water, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Title 21 Part 165
3 Compliance Policy Guide - Registration of Food Facilities Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm121288.htm
4 Bottled Water Code of Practice, International Bottled Water, Association IBWA Code of Practice 2009