America's Favorite Packaged Drink
America’s Favorite
Packaged Drink
%
Fully Regulated by the FDA
Zero Calories
%
Recyclable (Even the Caps)
%
Fully Regulated by the FDA
Zero Calories
%
Recyclable (Even the Caps)
—WHAT WE FOCUS ON
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors, and suppliers.
IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to establish comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water. In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.
Environment
The bottled water industry is a strong supporter of our environment and our natural resources. Bottled water companies manage resources responsibly by investing in technology and practices that improve water quality and conservation.
Bottled water’s environmental footprint is the lowest of any packaged beverage. Research shows that bottled water is the most environmentally responsible packaged drink choice.
Learn More
Responsible Water User
Did you know that out of all the water used in the United States each year, bottled water accounts for only 0.01%? You can find numerous false reports on the internet stating that the bottled water industry is using up available water supplies and selling products for big profits. The truth is that the bottled water industry cares deeply about protecting water resources generally, but especially in the communities where they have invested.
Learn More
Health
One of the simplest healthy lifestyle changes you can make is to drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. In today’s on-the-go society, where most of what we drink comes in a package, bottled water is the smart choice to help eliminate or moderate calories, sugar, caffeine, artificial flavors or colors, and other ingredients from your diet.
Learn More
Emergency Response
Clean, safe water is a critical need for citizens and first responders immediately following a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Unfortunately, the availability of water from public water systems is often compromised in the aftermath of such an event. During these times, bottled water is the best option to deliver clean safe drinking water quickly into affected areas.
Learn More
—WHAT WE FOCUS ON
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors, and suppliers.
IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to establish comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water.
In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations.
A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.
Environment
The bottled water industry is a strong supporter of our environment and our natural resources. Bottled water companies manage resources responsibly by investing in technology and practices that improve water quality and conservation.
Bottled water’s environmental footprint is the lowest of any packaged beverage. Research shows that bottled water is the most environmentally responsible packaged drink choice.
Learn More
Responsible Water User
Did you know that out of all the water used in the United States each year, bottled water accounts for only 0.01%? You can find numerous false reports on the internet stating that the bottled water industry is using up available water supplies and selling products for big profits. The truth is that the bottled water industry cares deeply about protecting water resources generally, but especially in the communities where they have invested.
Learn More
Health
One of the simplest healthy lifestyle changes you can make is to drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. In today’s on-the-go society, where most of what we drink comes in a package, bottled water is the smart choice to help eliminate or moderate calories, sugar, caffeine, artificial flavors or colors, and other ingredients from your diet.
Learn More
Emergency Response
Clean, safe water is a critical need for citizens and first responders immediately following a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Unfortunately, the availability of water from public water systems is often compromised in the aftermath of such an event. During these times, bottled water is the best option to deliver clean safe drinking water quickly into affected areas.
Learn More
TYPES OF BOTTLED WATER
Today, most consumers get their bottled water from these main sources:
Spring Water
is water derived from an underground formation from which water
flows naturally to the surface of the earth.
Purified Water
is water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse
osmosis, or other suitable processes while meeting the definition of
purified water in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.
Mineral Water
is natural water containing not less than 250 parts per million total
dissolved solids.
Sparkling Bottled Water
is water that, after treatment and possible replacement with carbon
dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that is had as it
emerged from the source.
Artesian Water/Artesian Well Water
is water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing
underground layer of rock or sand) in which the water level stands at
some height above the top of the aquifer.
Well Water
is water from a hole bored, drilled, or otherwise constructed in the
ground, which taps the water aquifer.
As the U.S. response to COVID-19 evolves, IBWA is here to help members navigate the changes—and provide consumers answers to FAQs. Learn More
POLICIES
H2O is the simple chemical formula for water; however, running a bottled water business—and yes, a bottled water
association—involves a number of issues that seem complicated—but the facts provided below should help explain them.
Groundwater Management
Bottled water companies work hard to
protect the environment and play an
important role in promoting groundwater management.
Bottled Water Safety & Security
IBWA is dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of bottled water. IBWA is committed to preventing potential adverse events, both natural and man-made, through monitoring and testing, risk assessment, appropriate controls and procedures, and diligence.
Bottled Water Labeling
IBWA supports a uniform, comprehensive
system of labeling standards for bottled
water at the national level that fully protects
the public health and allows consumers easy
access to clear and accurate information
regarding bottled water.
Bottled Water Taxation
IBWA supports tax policies that promote bottled water job development,
business investment in communities, and the development of bottled water resources.
IBWA opposes all taxes, surcharges, fees, and levies specifically targeted against bottled water.
Bottled Water Packaging
IBWA is dedicated to the comprehensive
management of bottled water packaging to
provide the highest quality, cost effective, and
environmentally responsible containers
possible.
Environment
The bottled water industry demonstrates solid environmental leadership
when it comes to water conservation and efficiency.
Even with continuing growth and increased consumption,
bottled water still has the smallest water and energy use footprint of any packaged beverage.
Groundwater Management
Bottled water companies work hard to
protect the environment and play an
important role in promoting groundwater management.
Bottled Water Safety & Security
IBWA is dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of bottled water. IBWA is committed to preventing potential adverse events, both natural and man-made, through monitoring and testing, risk assessment, appropriate controls and procedures, and diligence.
Bottled Water Labeling
IBWA supports a uniform, comprehensive
system of labeling standards for bottled
water at the national level that fully protects
the public health and allows consumers easy
access to clear and accurate information
regarding bottled water.
Bottled Water Labeling
IBWA supports a uniform, comprehensive
system of labeling standards for bottled
water at the national level that fully protects
the public health and allows consumers easy
access to clear and accurate information
regarding bottled water.
Bottled Water Packaging
IBWA is dedicated to the comprehensive
management of bottled water packaging to
provide the highest quality, cost effective, and
environmentally responsible containers
possible.
Environment
The bottled water industry demonstrates solid environmental leadership
when it comes to water conservation and efficiency.
Even with continuing growth and increased consumption,
bottled water still has the smallest water and energy use footprint of any packaged beverage.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRINK A DAY?
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRINK A DAY?
–PRESS RELEASES
Bottled water industry calls on Congress to pass national recycling infrastructure bill
International Bottled Water Association | News Release | September 9, 2021 Bottled water industry calls on Congress to pass national recycling infrastructure bill Alexandria, VA – New legislation that invests in recycling systems across the United States is set to...
Tap water life cycle assessment misses the point of bottled water
Alexandria, VA –– A new study that claims to examine the health and environmental impacts of drinking water choices is significantly flawed because it uses calculations that are based on the hypothetical, and entirely unrealistic, premise that people will drink...
Los Angeles International Airport ban on the sale of single-serving size PET plastic bottled water will produce more (not less) waste
The LAX single-serving size PET plastic bottled water sales ban effectively forces consumers to buy water packaged in materials that are heavier in weight and have a larger impact on the environment, such as aluminum, laminated cartons, and glass. This ban also...
–H20 IN THE KNOW PODCAST
–BWR MAGAZINE
OUR MEMBERS
Founded in 1958, IBWA is the leading voice for
healthy hydration and the bottled water industry.
The association serves its members and the
public by championing bottled water and other
healthy hydration choices, while promoting an
environmentally responsible and sustainable
industry.
