Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating bottled water products that are either imported or sold between states.

Bottled water is considered a food product, not drinking water. For this reason, it is regulated by the FDA rather than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for regulating public tap water supplies. In addition, many state governments have established regulations governing the quality of bottled products that are produced and/or sold within their state.

Consumers can ensure that the bottled water brands they consume are safe by making sure the product is independently certified. Look for the NSF Mark on the label or contact the NSF Consumer Affairs Office to verify that your favorite brand carries our independent certification.

Special tip for travelers: When visiting foreign countries, make sure your bottled water still has the factory seal when you receive it. Do not accept any product where the seal has been broken, as the quality of the contents cannot be guaranteed.

Have you purchased bottled water lately? Did you notice all the different and often confusing varieties that are now available? Water that is classified as "bottled water" or "drinking water" is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to maintain certain standards.

According to the FDA, for a product to be considered “bottled water”, it cannot contain sweeteners or chemical additives (other than flavors, extracts or essences) and must be calorie-free and sugar-free. Flavors, extracts and essences -- derived from spice or fruit -- can be added to bottled water, but these additions must comprise less than one percent by weight of the final product. Beverages containing more than the one percent by weight flavor limit are classified as soft drinks, not bottled water.

The FDA defines the various water types as follows:

• Artesian Water: Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand).
• Mineral Water: Contains no less than 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids (minerals). No minerals can be added to this product.
• Purified Water: Water labeled as “purified” can be derived from either distillation, deionization or reverse osmosis.
• Sparkling Water: Water that after treatment and possible replacement with carbon dioxide contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at emergence from the source. (An important note: soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters. They are regulated separately and may contain sugar and calories. These types of waters are considered soft drinks.)
• Spring Water: Bottled water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth.

Water is critical in regulating all body organs and temperature, and dissolving solids and moving nutrients throughout the body. Because water is naturally low in sodium, has no fat, cholesterol or caffeine and isn't flushed straight through the body like many other beverages, it's the natural solution to help reach your body’s daily fluid quota.

Most adults need eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses of water or fluids daily, but needs vary by activity level, health circumstances (including pregnancy) and even by age. For example, a 60-pound child would need a minimum of at least 30 ounces of water a day, or about three to four glasses. But a 180-pound man would need about 90 ounces of water a day or about 11-12 glasses. And people may need more water as they age, since thirst signals may become dull, activity levels decline and prescription drugs may dehydrate their bodies further.

We are great recyclers! As a result, we have to keep up with our containers.. A bottle deposit is a fee charged for every 3 or 5-gallon bottle delivered to you. A bottle deposit is refundable and will be credited to your account once each empty bottle is returned.

A bottle deposit charge may appear on your invoice if more bottles were delivered to you than were returned to your Route Sales Representative. For example, if you received five full bottles and returned only four empty bottles during your billing period, you will receive a refundable bottle deposit charge. Remember, your invoice will only reflect the activity that occurred during the billing period.

If you are a Credit Plan customer, the number of bottles received and returned will be shown on your invoice each billing period; however, you will not be charged additional bottle deposits or issued a refund of your bottle deposits each billing period. Any additional bottle deposits may be charged or a refund of your bottle deposits issued to you only upon final bottle reconciliation performed upon expiration or termination of your service.