Bottled Water and the FDA Standards of Quality   Water Quality Products June 2003   Kristin Safran and Barbara L. Marteney, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd.
Bottled water is classified as a food product and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has regulations that dictate the contaminants for which bottled water must be tested along with the allowable limits for each (Standards of Quality--SOQs). This article will focus on the last item, the SOQs. The true driving force behind the addition of parameters to the FDA SOQs is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
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Water Vending   Water Quality Products January 2003   Adrian Thompson, Polela Concepts
Water vending provides a fantastic opportunity for existing water business operators to expand their business into areas that are too small or difficult to service profitably.
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Launching a New Product   Water Quality Products December 2002   Walt Denny
Bottled water is second only to soft drinks in volume sold. In a market that appears saturated with so many bottled water brands all promising similar benefits, how do companies keep making a splash with new products? It isn't rocket science, but how and when you launch a new product is key. It's one of the most effective ways of capturing the media's Attention--and if done right, it can be a company's ticket to success.
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Bottled Water Partnerships Are Abundant   Water Quality Products December 2002
Opportunities are everywhere for bottled water companies keeping an eye open. Although many large beverage companies are getting the "big" deals, smaller and mid-size companies should take note. Smaller companies can learn lessons from these beverage giants and find opportunity where others may not see it.
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Routing Issues: From Paperwork to PDA Efficiency   Water Quality Products October 2002   Lorraine Keating, Prism Visual Software, Inc.
By now, handhelds have enjoyed enormous popularity in any industry that deals with deliveries, services or exchanges. The bottled water and water treatment industries are not an exception. PDAs enhance performance, accuracy and cost-efficiency.
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Bottled Water vs. Tap   Water Quality Products October 2002   Nadia Abboud, Severn Trent Services
While both sides of the bottled/tap battle continue trying to inform and ultimately win the consumer over, a few facts cannot be overlooked. Regardless of how a consumer obtains drinking water, both bottled and tap must draw from the same available global freshwater sources. Despite the information with which consumers are presented, ultimately the decision is theirs. When purchasing bottled water, knowing what you are getting requires some research and understanding.
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Bottled Water Testing   Water Quality Products October 2002   Kristin Safran and Barbara L. Marteney, National Testing Laboratories
Consumers want to know if the bottled water they buy is safe. How and why bottled water is regulated is not common knowledge and can be confusing to customers. Bottlers who understand and can explain aspects of water quality, regulations and test results to their customers have a useful sales tool to promote their product.
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Enhanced Bottled Waters   Water Quality Products October 2002   Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
WQP spoke with Barry Willson, senior vice president of operations at BEVsystems International, Inc., based in Miami, about the current enhanced water trends that seem to be driving the industry and giving marketers a lot to work with.
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Expanding Knowledge, Continued Growth   Water Quality Products October 2002   Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
The bottled water industry has seen steady growth for years. Consumers are demanding beverage choices to suit their healthy lifestyles, and the bottlers have stepped in to meet those needs. One of the driving forces behind this continued boom is the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).
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The O-Zone: Today's Lesson: Ozone and Bottled Water   Water Quality Products October 2002   Roger Nathanson
The following is the first of 11 articles addressing ozone's applications, installation, sales, service, basics and more. The 12th and final installment will be a quiz to test your ozone knowledge—so make sure you come back each month to brush up. Details and instructions will be given in the final month.
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Full of Promise   Water Quality Products October 2002   Contributed by Zenith International
East Europeans drank almost 10 percent more soft drinks in 2001, pushing consumption past the 20,000 million liter mark for the first time, according to the 2002 East Europe Soft Drinks report from Zenith International. Volumes have jumped 36 percent since 1997, despite the economic troubles of the late 1990s.

A Look at the Bottled Water Market   Water Quality Products October 2002   Wendi Hope King
This year WQP decided to dive into the bottled water market and explore what some of the latest trends and standards are. What drives the bottled water industry? Who is its target market? Why has it continually seen such growth year after year? How have the beverage giants affected the marketplace? And what role does IBWA play in all of this?
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Know Your Bottled Water Regulations   Water Quality Products August 2002   Joseph K. Doss, International Bottled Water Association
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) tracks and takes action on a number of relevant issues. The goal is to ensure fair and equitable treatment of bottled water companies and to help the industry continue to deliver safe, high-quality bottled water products to a thirsty consumer market. In 2001, IBWA was engaged on both the federal and state legislative fronts, working hard to represent the bottled water industry and seeking the adoption of sensible, effective laws and regulations.
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Bottled Water Quality   Water Quality Products May 2002   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories
Due to growing concerns about environmental contamination from industry and the use of everyday products as well as fears of intentional tampering of water supplies, people are becoming more conscious of water quality. Letting your customers know that bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food product and that it is safe is an important part of your business.
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Promoting Your Company Through Local Media and the Community   Water Quality Products April 2002   Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
Advertising in national publications and television stations is the standard route taken by businesses, even small ones. Promotions and advertising are key to any good business. However, it is small businesses that reach out directly to their communities that gain marketshare and a solid customer base.
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Chlorine Taste in the Customer’s Drinking Water?   Water Quality Products March 2002   By Ron Grage, Chlorinators Incorporated
Chlorine produces bacteria-free water and eliminates algae and slime. It also removes hydrogen sulfide from ground water (wells and springs) and eliminates iron bacteria (cenothrix), which are associated with objectionable odor and taste. Despite these important facts, some people still object to chlorine in their drinking water. Comments such as “I don’t like the way chlorine makes my water taste” are common.

Only Time Will Tell   Water Quality Products January 2002   Multiple Authors
The unprecedented events of Sept. 11 and the recession that began hitting our nation at the beginning of 2001 created havoc in the business world. The water industry was no exception; it also saw its share of fluctuation. With such an unpredictable economy, we move into 2002. WQP asked industry professionals nationwide to comment on what the water industry may see in the upcoming year. Although these professionals share their outlooks for next year, only time will tell what lies ahead.
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The Right Time for Bottled Water, POU   Water Quality Products December 2001   Wendi Hope King
Although in October, the IBWA had seen only a slight increase in sales overall since the attacks, individual companies have reported increased sales since Sept. 11. This partly is due to bottled water being named as one of the must-have items in case of further terrorism.
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Pure Water the Way It Was Meant to Be   Water Quality Products November 2001   By Michael Pennington, Severn Trent Services
As the public becomes more health conscious and educated about water contamination, demand for bottled water continues to increase. In order to provide purified water, it is important to understand the reverse osmosis (RO) water purification process.
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Bottled Water International Markets   Water Quality Products October 2001   Contributed by Zenith International
Water coolers are making big waves in East Europe, according to the second Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in East Europe by Zenith International, a European drink consultant.
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Troubleshooting Bottled Water Complaints   Water Quality Products October 2001   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd
Customer complaints are an unfortunate but unavoidable part of business. Bottled water complaints typically arise when a customer perceives an off taste, odor or appearance in the water.
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Ozone for Bottled Water   Water Quality Products October 2001   Andrew Zaske and Aaron Edland, Osmonics, Inc.
The proliferation of bottled beverages worldwide and an increased awareness of consumer health issues have beverage suppliers rethinking how to keep their liquids safe for consumption.
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Testing Bottled Water   Water Quality Products September 2001   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories
One of the most important (and sometimes the most complex) area of the bottled water business is compliance with federal, state and industry regulations. As the EPA continues to evaluate contaminants in drinking water for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the FDA must review these regulations for their suitability for bottled water.
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Water Bottles   Water Quality Products June 2001   Douglas Hamilton, GE Plastics
The water cooler--the social epicenter of every office and in some countries the main water source in homes--now is showing up in other environments from restaurants to coffee shops, schools and hospitals.
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Duty Calls For Local Awareness   Water Quality Products May 2001   Wendi Hope King
Editorial: May 6—12 is National Drinking Water Week (NDWW). It is our duty and opportunity as water professionals to make this week work for us by incorporating local companies, expertise and even the Water Quality Association (WQA) into NDWW.
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Association Index   Water Quality Products February 2001   Wendi Hope King
The following lists a brief overview of various associations and how you can find out more about each of them.
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Bottled Water Makes Headlines   Water Quality Products January 2001   Wendi Hope King
Recent news regarding the public?s fluoride intake and chromium 6 contamination has made for some alarming headlines. Though several past reports have concentrated on tap water, it is bottled water that is now becoming the current media target.
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The Drink of Choice   Water Quality Products October 2000   Wendi Hope King
With the industry seizing great opportunities, is there any doubt that bottled water won’t continue to be a huge business in upcoming years?

Getting Started in the Bottled Water Business: Licensing and Labeling   Water Quality Products October 2000   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Saltzgiver
This is the last of a series of three articles covering Bottled Water Testing, Source Development, and Licensing and Labeling.

Getting Started in the Bottled Water Business: Source Water Development   Water Quality Products September 2000   Barbara L. Marteney & Kristin Saltzgiver
This is the second in a series of three bottled water articles. The first article appeared in July; the last will run in October. Your natural spring, well or artesian well source already may be providing you with the "best water you’ve ever tasted" with little effort on your part. However, selling that same water for public consumption puts you under government scrutiny.

Getting Started in the Bottled Water Business: Water Testing Requirements   Water Quality Products July 2000   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin M. Saltzgiver
This is the first in a series of three articles covering bottled water testing, source development and licensing and labeling.

The Perfect Fit: In-Mold Decoration Technology Offers Improved Aesthetics   Water Quality Products June 2000   Contributed by GE Plastics
Following the success of in-mold decoration (IMD) in the automotive and cellular phone markets, GE Plastics is exploring the technology in the five-gallon water bottle market.

Water Vending is Here to Stay   Water Quality Products April 2000   Larry M. Eils
Consumer concerns about drinking water contaminants and aesthetics partially explains the increased demands for alternatives to tap water such as bottled water or water from a vending machine. Media hype about contaminants and aggressive marketing by some bottled water companies also plays a role.

FDA Bottled Water Regulations UpdateNine Stayed Parameters and Quarterly Testing Requirements   Water Quality Products November 1999   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin M. Saltzgiver
On August 6, 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that effective February 2, 1999, bottled water must meet the requirements of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for the nine stayed parameters, which include: antimony, beryllium, cyanide, nickel, thallium, diquat, endothall, glyphosate, and 2,3,7,8-tcdd (dioxin). This announcement requires bottlers to monitor for these nine parameters and comply with the same maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Innovative Equipment Design Helps Solve Bottling Problems   Water Quality Products February 1999
Unique needs of a Mexico-based water bottlers prompted the search for new equipment. A manufacutrer designed a system specifically to meet their needs.

IBWA Model Code Changes   Water Quality Products May 1998   Tyrone Wilson, Kristin Saltzgiver and Barbara Marteney
On February 6, 1998, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) Board of Directors approved changes regarding finished product analysis.

POU/POE &Bottled Water Programs: Standard 53 Serves Both for Cyst Reduction Claims   Water Quality Products April 1998   Michael P. Miller
The devices covered by the Standard 53 are intended to reduce health-related contaminants that may be present in the drinking water supply.

Profit, Productivity and Today's Technology for the Water Filtration and Bottled Water Industries   Water Quality Products February 1998   Lorraine Keating
All successful bottled water and water filtration business owners know that the integration of all operational phases of their business is crucial.

Consumer Facts on Bottled Water Testing   Water Quality Products November 1997   Michael P. Miller
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that every bottled water product receives a full analysis every year.

Americans Are Concerned About Household Water Quality, More Are Seeking Solutions   Water Quality Products October 1997
Three-quarters of American adults have concerns about their household water supply.

Bottled Water Quality Guidelines: FDA to WHO or What ?   Water Quality Products October 1997   Dr. Alan A. Leff and Kristen Saltzgiver
The bottled water industry is exposed to regulations from the local level through the international level.

Sanitary Considerations in Bottled Water Plant Construction   Water Quality Products September 1997   Michael P. Miller
Many concerns have been xpressed about the potential costs of corrective actions necessary to fulfill the requirements of the bottled water plant inspection program. Here is a basic outline of what inspectors look for and how to avoid problems.

Technical Challenges Facing International Bottlers   Water Quality Products May 1997   by Michael P. Miller
Problems the importer faces in addressing U.S. or other regulatory challenges are based on the differences between international and FDA regulations.

Bottled Water Audits: The International Standard for IBWA   Water Quality Products October 1996   Michael Miller
Because of the rapid growth of the bottled water industry and IBWA membership, there was concern that a new bottler with little experience might make mistakes, which would hurt all bottled water producers. The image of bottled water as a high quality alternative to tap water is increasingly recognized by consumers, and therefore hasto be protected.

Bottled Water Audits: What's Involved ?   Water Quality Products June 1996   Michael Miller
A look at what goes on during a bottled water facility audit

NSF-Certified Bottled Water: What Does it Mean?   Water Quality Products February 1996   Mike Miller
The most frequently asked questions about NSF's involvement in bottled water certification