How do FDA and EPA Regulate Water?
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates tap water as a utility, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water as a packaged food product. FDA bottled water regulations include Standard of Identity, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Standard of Quality (SOQ). To assure the safety of bottled water, the FDA has developed standards that set a minimal acceptable level of quality. The quality standards address substances in the water that may be harmful to health, as well as substances that affect the smell, color, and taste of water. The quality standards also require public notification whenever the microbiological, physical, chemical, or radiological quality of bottled water falls below standard. Follow the link to see the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and the National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations.
