Eagles Peak Spring Water
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Eagles Peak


How do I know my bottled water is safe? Consumers can trust that bottled water is safe for many reasons. The first is that bottled water is strictly regulated on the federal level by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and on the state level by state officials.This ensures that all bottled water sold in the United States meets these stringent standards. In addition, members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), who produce about 85% of the bottled water sold in the United States, must meet strict industry standards established by the association.These standards, contained in the IBWA "Model Code," exceed the FDA regulations currently in place for bottled water. To ensure that all their bottled water is as safe as possible and of the highest quality, all IBWA members use one or more of the following practices: source protection and monitoring, reverse osmosis, distillation, filtration, ozonation and disinfection. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), bottled water has never been responsible for an outbreak of waterborne illness.

What is the IBWA? The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) of which Eagles Peak is a member, is the trade association representing the bottled water industry. Founded in 1958, IBWA's member companies produce and distribute 85 percent of the bottled water sold in the United States. The membership includes more than 1,200 U.S.-based and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers.

How is bottled water different from tap water? Consistent quality and taste are two of the principle differences between bottled water and tap water. Quality is in every container of bottled water. It's consistent and it is inspected and monitored by governmental and private laboratories. Unfortunately, tap water can be inconsistent -- sometimes it might be okay while other times it is not. While bottled water originates from protected sources (75% from underground aquifers and springs), tap water comes mostly from river sand lakes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported that hundreds of tap water sources have failed to meet minimum standards. Another factor to consider is the distance tap water has to travel and what it goes through before it reaches the tap. Taste is the other major reason people prefer bottled water versus tap water. Chlorine is most often used to disinfect tap water. That can leave an aftertaste and lead to other problems. Some bottlers use ozone, a form of supercharged oxygen, and/or ultraviolet light as the final disinfecting agents, both of which leave no taste or chemical trace.

Is bottled water regulated? The bottled water industry is regulated on three levels: federal, state and trade association. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, coupled with state and industry standards, offer consumers assurance that the bottled water they purchase is stringently regulated, tested and of the highest quality.The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has been a long-standing proponent of additional federal regulations for bottled water and is active at all levels of the local, state and federal government assisting in the development of such regulations.

Is bottled water regulated differently from tap water? Yes. Bottled water is regulated by FDA as a food product and must meet all applicable food packaging regulations. Tap water is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is regarded as a utility.

Does bottled water contain any chlorine or harmful chemicals? No.

How long can I store bottled water? The Food and Drug Administration has not established a shelf life for bottled water. Bottled water can be used indefinitely if stored properly.

What is the proper way to store bottled water? Bottled water should be stored in a cool (i.e. room temperature), dry environment away from chemicals such as household cleaning products and away from solvents such as gasoline, paint thinners and other toxic materials.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS Bottled water is regulated as a food product by the FDA. Bottled water companies must adhere to the FDA's Quality Standards, Standards of Identity (Labeling Regulations) and Good Manufacturing Practices. Quality Standards: All bottled water products must comply with the FDA's Quality Standards in Section 165.110(b) of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These standards, along with the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices, ensure the safety of all bottled water products from production to packaging to consumption.

STATE STANDARDS In addition to FDA's extensive regulatory requirements, the bottled water industry is subject to state regulatory requirements as well. Inspections: A significant responsibility of the states is inspecting, sampling, analyzing and approving sources of water. Under the federal GMPs, only approved sources of water can be used to supply a bottling plant. Laboratory Certification: Another area in which some states have important responsibilities that complement federal regulation is the certification of testing laboratories. As with any food establishment, the states perform unannounced plant inspections, and some states perform annual inspections.

IBWA STANDARDS Third-party Inspections: As a condition of membership, bottlers must submit to an annual, unannounced plant inspection administered by an independent, internationally recognized third-party inspection organization.This inspection audits quality and testing records; reviews all areas of plant operation from source through finished product; and checks compliance with FDA Quality Standards, Good Manufacturing Practices and any state regulations. IBWA Model Code: IBWA has established a quality assurance program, a strict set of standards called the Model Code. The Model Code establishes tougher requirements than federal and state authorities.