Types of Bottled Water as Defined by the FDA

In the summer of 2010, Americans consumed 500 million bottles of bottled water a week. Despite concerns about plastic water-bottle disposal, cost and true health benefits, consumers are still going to their local grocery store to purchase a good that is free to every American home. At first glance, all bottled water appears to be the same; however, each bottled-water category represents a difference in the bottled water's source and purification process.

Regulations for Bottled Water

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of regulating tap water; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible regulating bottled water. To help ensure that the public is receiving safe drinking water, the FDA has set Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). These CGMPs require that bottled-water companies have sanitary conditions for processing, bottling and transporting the product. The companies must protect the water sources from contaminants, use quality control to ensure chemical safety and test the water's source and final product for contaminants.

Water Source

• Recycling used bottles is each consumer's personal responsibility.

  Consumers who enjoy bottled water understand the importance of receiving water from a healthy source. While a majority of Americans have reliable sources of water in their local municipal supply, 10 percent of Americans do not.

  The FDA identifies water that comes from an approved well as "artesian." Water that originates from a geologically protected underground source is categorized as "mineral." Municipal water that goes through reverse osmosis, deionization or any other approved purifying process is considered "purified." Water that derives from a natural underground formation from which it flows to the surface is categorized as "spring."

Understanding the Label

• The label on each bottle of water is approved by the FDA. This means that you purchasing water with the knowledge of what type of source it originated from, and you also receive information on what process it had to undergo. Note, however, that only purified water labels its process.

  Purified distilled water is water that has been purified through the process of heating and evaporation. Purified demineralized water is water that has been purified and rid of all natural minerals. Purified deionized water is water that has the ions removed. Deionized water is free of all ions, making it extremely pure while maintaining certain minerals. In contrast, tap water has ions from the soil, pipes and other sources.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water Debate

• There has been -- and still is -- an ongoing debate about the healthiness of bottled water versus tap water. Both the EPA and FDA insist that they are thorough at ensuring the safest drinking water available. When deciding to purchase bottled water, remember that if the water has not been packaged and stored correctly, it can be harmful despite its appearance. Likewise, tap water that has an odor, foul taste or color can also be harmful. Purchasing bottled water is a choice that should be made according to personal taste preference and product information.