How Bottled Water Are Made?
The process of making bottled water is complex, but it’s essential to know what goes into producing the nutrient-rich liquid that’s sold in bottles at grocery stores and restaurants. Once you understand the basics, you’ll be better able to determine which type of bottled water is best for you and your family.
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How Bottled Water is Made?
The main source of bottled water is public tap water that’s been treated to remove contaminants and enhance its taste. There are many ways that water can be purified, but some of the most popular methods include filtration, distillation, and reverse osmosis.
In the United States, bottled water is regulated as a food product by the FDA. This means that it must meet certain standards for quality and labeling. In addition, if a bottled water company has an IBWA (International Bottled Water Association) certification, it must undergo additional inspections to ensure that it meets stricter industry standards.
Depending on the bottled water’s source, it may be filtered or treated with ozone to remove objectionable odors and tastes. It can also be added with fluoride to prevent tooth decay and with carbon dioxide to produce a sparkling effect.
There are two types of bottled water defined in the FDA regulations: spring or mineral water and purified water. While both are safe to drink, the water that is produced by a spring must come from an actual spring or from a natural spring that can sustain the production of water to make it an economical choice.
Spring and mineral water must meet the same FDA standards as any other bottled water, including meeting the definition of “naturally sparkling” or containing 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids. The dissolved solids are minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium that are naturally present in the water at the source.
The bottled water’s taste and appearance are also important factors in choosing the right type of bottled water for you. Look for clear, clean, and fresh-tasting bottled water that doesn’t have a strong chlorine aftertaste.
Another factor to consider is the plastic used in bottled water. Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is the most common type of plastic used in bottled water packaging. Despite concerns that using this plastic repeatedly could release harmful chemicals into the water, Health Canada has not found any evidence that this is a problem.
It’s not uncommon to see bottled water in plastic that’s been recycled. However, these bottles are generally not reused, so they’re not helping to lessen the impact on the environment or offset the energy use in the initial manufacturing and transportation of the containers.
The most environmentally friendly bottled water is a product that’s derived from a protected spring or another natural resource. In the case of a protected spring, it’s typically allowed to be treated with a combination of filtration and distillation. The treatment must be done in a way that doesn’t change the original composition of the spring water.