The bottled water purification process

　　The purification of bottled water is subject to stringent federal regulations enforced by the FDA, covering manufacturing practices, facility hygiene, operational standards, quality criteria, labeling requirements, and stringent production oversight. States further enforce additional regulations through water source and facility inspections, with regulatory stringency varying state-to-state. The industry’s standards surpass those of the FDA, with the IBWA maintaining its own set of criteria, conducting annual surprise inspections of member companies by a reputable third party. With over 80% of the market’s water supply from IBWA members, choosing their water might be preferable due to triple regulation. Beyond the basics, producing bottled water involves careful consideration of the source and purification technology.

　　The provenance of the water is crucial for the final product’s quantity, quality, and profitability, with around 25% sourced from municipal supplies and the rest from natural sources like springs. Regulatory agencies rigorously test the water, considering the presence of organic and inorganic compounds and the feasibility of removal equipment.

　　Purity is paramount; no one wants cloudy, malodorous, or bad-tasting water. Membrane filtration and ozonization are key processes to clarify the water, remove impurities, and sanitize it, influencing the plant’s construction based on the chosen filtration system.

　　Spring water and purified water are popular bottling options, differing in treatment processes. Spring water, sourced from actual springs, undergoes multi-stage filtration and ozonization to disinfect and preserve its natural qualities. Purified water, highly regulated by the FDA and IBWA, undergoes deionization, distillation, or reverse osmosis, with the latter being the preferred method due to its effectiveness and efficiency in removing contaminants.

　　When selecting bottled water, scrutinize the label to discern the origin, regulation, purification process, and safety. For at-home purification, reverse osmosis filters can offer a cost-effective solution, given the average American’s annual expenditure on bottled water exceeds $300.