Purification Process for Bottled Water

Bottled water is usually bottled at the source and sealed in safe drinking containers. There are several types of bottled water, with different types of bottle shapes and sizes. The process for purifying each type is fairly different.

Types

• Purified drinking water is processed to remove chlorine and many dissolved solids such as magnesium. The source for purified drinking water does not need to be named unless it is an untreated public source of water. Mineral water typically comes from a spring and contains dissolved solids, such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, silica, potassium and bicarbonates.

The Process

• Bottled water is monitored at three levels to ensure safety standards and high quality. Once water comes from its source (protected underground springs, wells and municipal supplies), the water is filtered through multi-barrier sources, which can include reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, distillation, ozonation or micron filtration. All filter methods must meet the federal guidelines of the FDA.

Labeling

• Once the water is filtered and cleaned thoroughly, it is then bottled and capped. If a bottle of water's source is a spring, manufacturers can label the bottle "Spring Water." Otherwise, it must be clearly labeled "Purified Water," according to the FDA's standards.