Mountain Spring Water Inc. Of Santa Barbara Bottled Water Quality Report
The state of California requires the following information to be provided to bottled water consumers, upon request;
Mountain Spring Water Inc. Of Santa Barbara
745 S. Kellogg Ave.
Goleta, Ca. 93117
805-964-4211
Introduction
Our bottled water meets all federal and state health standards. FDA regulates bottled water as a food product whereas EPA regulates tap water as provided by water utilities. Standards of quality enacted by the FDA for bottled water must be as protective of the public health as EPA'S standards (known as Maximum Contaminant Levels) for tap water. Ensuring the safety of our water is our primary objective in providing our product to the consumer. A complete analysis of our two products (Purified Drinking Water and De-ionization) as well as Goleta Valley Water District (out water source) is attached to this report for your review.
Where our water comes from
Mountain Spring Water Inc. Of Santa Barbara starts with treated water from the City of Goleta Valley public works department. The city provides us with water that meets EPA standards of quality for a public water supply. We then further treat that water to enhance its taste and improve its quality.
Our Treatment Process
Mountain Spring Water Inc. Of Santa Barbara uses a multi-barrier approach in its processing operation. Once we receive the water from Goleta Valley Water District, we use the following processes to further enhance the quality of our bottled water.
- Softening - this is a resin based ionic exchange process, which removes hardness. This process helps protect treatment equipment and processing, which we will be using further on.
- Carbon Filtration- this is a filtering process which removes chlorine, chloramines, VOC's and TIIM's.
- .5 Micron Filtration - removes sediment and suspended particles.
- Reverse Osmosis - a process of pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure to remove dissolved minerals and salts.
- De-Ionization - a media based process to further remove undesirable elements.
- Storage - we then store this water for further treatment before bottling
- Mixed Bed De-Ionization- a refined De-Ionization process to further guarantee that undesirable minerals and elements have been removed.
- Medkal Grade Carbon Filtration - this process is for final removal of any VOC's or THM's, which may possibly be remaining.
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Ozonation - for sanitation and sterilization.
Common Terms and Definitions
"Statement of Quality" - The standard (statement) of quality for bottled water is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in a container of bottled water, as established by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health. The standards can be no less protective of public health than the standards for public drinking water, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the California Department of Public Health.
"Public Health Goal (PHG)" - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHG's are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
"Primary Drinking Water Standard"- MCL's for contaminants established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the California Department of Public Health that affects health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.
Detection Limit - The level at which a substance can be detected through testing. Filtration - The use of Filters to remove particulate material from source water Micron Filtration - The use of a micron filter to remove microbiological particles
Ozonation- disinfections process using 03, which reverts back to Oxygen (02) after use.
Reverse Osmosis- Use of a high-pressure pump and special membranes, called semi-permeable membranes, to reverse the natural phenomenon of osmosis.
De-Ionization- Use of cation and anion resin beds to remove minerals.
Carbon Filtration- Used to remove Chlorinated Solvents, Trihalomethanes (THM), Chlorine, Chloramines and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), etc.
Softening- Process of using media to remove harness elements such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron.
California law requires a reference to FDA's Website for recalls: http://www.fda.gov/opacornl7alerts.html.
Our Product has been thoroughly tested in accordance with federal and California law. Our bottled water is a food product and cannot be sold unless it meets the standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Public Health. The following statements are required under California law:
"Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the United States Food and Drug Administration, Food and Cosmetic Hotline (1-888-723-3366)."
"Some persons may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, including, but not limited to, persons with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, persons with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These persons should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791)."
"The sources of bottled water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water naturally travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it can pick up naturally occurring substances as well as substances that are present due to animal and human activity. Substances that may be present in the source water include any of the following:
1. Inorganic substances, including but not limited to, salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or result from farming, urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, or oil and gas.
2. Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
3. Organic substances that are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems.
4. Microbial organisms that may come from wildlife, agricultural livestock operations, sewage treatment plants, and septic systems.
5. Substances with radioactive properties that can be naturally occurring due to the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
"In order to ensure that bottled water is safe to drink, the United States Food and Drug Administration and the State Department of Public Health prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by bottled water companies."
