Bottled Versus Tap: Which Is Better?
U.S. GAO Report Adds New Argument to Water Controversy
Jul 31, 2009
In Bottled Water: FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water, GAO reported it reviewed relevant Food and Drug Administration documents, policies and guidance and regulations for the oversight of bottled water at the federal and state levels. The agency also conducted interviews with Environmental Protection Agency officials and surveyed all 50 states. GAO released its report July 8, 2009, before a House of Representatives subcommittee.
FDA’s bottled water standard of quality regulations generally mirror EPA’s drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act with the exception of DEHP, an organic compound widely used in manufacturing polyvinyl chloride plastics. The FDA deferred action on the compound in a final rule published in 1996 and hasn’t adopted a standard or published a reason for not adopting a standard. FDA’s statutory deadline to act on DEHP ended more than 15 years ago, GAO’s John Stephenson said.
FDA’s Regulations Differ from EPA’s Rules
GAO also noted key differences between FDA and EPA regarding water regulations. FDA does not have authority to require bottlers use certified laboratories for water quality tests or to report test results even if violations of the standards are found. State rules for bottled water regulations usually are stricter than FDA’s, the GAO director said. Even so, state requirements for ensuring quality of tap water are even stronger, he added.
The agency also reported its findings on labeling of bottled water. FDA and state bottled water labeling requirements are similar to labeling requirements for other foods. However, EPA requires public water systems to provide more information to consumers under the Safe Drinking Water Act than either FDA or states require on bottled water. Municipal and private water companies must issue consumer confidence reports annually to its customers, but bottled water manufacturers aren’t required to issue similar reports, Stephenson said.
GAO Reports on Environmental Impacts of Bottled Water
According to the report, 75 percent of water bottles produced in the United States in 2006 were discarded and not recycled even though most bottles are easily recycled. Regarding the impact on energy demand, GAO reported that even though the production and consumption of bottled water is a fraction of total U.S. energy demand, they remain more energy-intensive than the production of public drinking water.
In addition, GAO noted bottled water’s safety is an example of an overall problem with food safety. The agency has recommended federal oversight of food safety to protect public health and the economy. Federal oversight of food safety is fragmented with about 15 agencies having food safety roles, Stephenson said.
The International Bottled Water Association has countered that because of the economics involved, bottled water companies usually go beyond FDA standards. Companies generate large revenues from bottled water and would be hurt financially if consumers didn’t have safe water to drink.
Based on federal requirements, EPA protects public drinking water better than the FDA protects bottled water. A GAO report provided proof that tap water is safer to drink than bottled water.
