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N.R.D.C. Report
Intl. Bottled Water Assoc. Response
(3/30/99)
A national environmental group says some bottled water is dirtier than tap
water. And consumers don't know the difference.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates, says the claim has drawn a quick response
from Utah's bottled water industry.
As consumers, we now drink more than 3 billion gallons of bottled water
every year.
But in a study of 103 products, the Natural Resources Defense Council says
many contained bacteria and nitrates higher than the industry guidelines.
It also questions whether the bottled spring water really comes from a spring -
or is it the same culinary water we all drink.
But at this Salt Lake company, industry spokesmen say the fakes are
disappearing. What few are left are being weeded out by the International
Bottled Water Association.
In fact, the last Utah incident William Bailey remembers occurred two
years ago. Bailey is president of Mount Olympus Spring Waters.
"There have been some companies in Salt Lake or in Utah that have produced a
product that was from the municipal source and claimed that it was a natural
spring product."
The State Agriculture Department won't allow that anymore. In fact, it now
inspects all springs for safety - and to make sure the water really comes from
that source.
Original spring water is shipped to this Salt Lake company in stainless
steel tankers. Inside the plant, an ozone system kills unwanted bacteria. The
water also passes through carbon and micro-filtration systems. Final bottling
occurs inside this protected clean room.
The International Bottled Water Association accused NRDC of using scare
tactics in its report - saying all IBWA member companies now produce high
quality bottled water.
A few guidelines to remember.
Drinking water labeled as purified or distilled comes from tap water.
But in Utah, products identified as spring water are not only purified.
But, also must come from the labeled source -- that is a spring.
