1. that water is essential for the functioning of almost all the body's living cells?
2. that human blood is 95% water; bones are 22% water and even 75% of the human brain is water ?
3. that without food, human can live for 14 days or more, but without water, the body can only survive a few days?

These facts may account for the rapid rise in the popularity of bottled water, a market that is continuing to grow, as many people turn to bottled water as their primary refreshment drink.

WHAT IS BOTTLED WATER?

There are mainly two styles of bottled water: sparkling, and still water.

But there are many variations of these waters, which undergo different processes and encompass different characteristics.

Sparkling or carbonated water, is usually consumed as a refreshment beverage, whilst still or non-sparkling waters are consumed as drinking water.

WHO IS DRINKING BOTTLED WATER?

Consumer research suggests that bottled water is consumed by people of varying age groups and occupations. The large majority however tend to be young singles and couples, in particular females aged between 14-35 years.

Generally bottled water consumers can be described as being more health conscious, contemporary and socially aware.

SO WHY DO PEOPLE DRINK BOTTLED WATER?

YOU NEED IT

Regardless of the seasons and the weather, your need for water remains the same. Remember that 95% of human blood is water.

HEALTHY CONCIOUS LIVING

In these health conscious days water makes a great contribution to  overall hydration.It is fat and kilojoule free and a great thirst quencher, which makes it a great choice for the health conscious consumer. Many people wish to get back to basics and drink something that is refreshing and pure.

Some people also wish to avoid certain chemicals used in the treatment of public water supplies, such as chlorine and fluoride, and are therefore turning to the chemical free alternative.

CONVENIENCE

With the development of more widespread leisure and activities and the expansion of travel, for business and pleasure, consumers are increasingly turning to the convenience of bottled water for their refreshment.

TASTE

One of the main reasons why people buy bottle water is its taste! With the variation in tastes of the different local water supplies across the country, more people prefer the consistent refreshing taste of bottled water.

MORE FACTS ON BOTTLED WATER...

BOTTLED WATER REGULATIONS & SAFETY

The bottled water industry is comprehensively regulated as a packaged food product by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which mandates stringent standards to help ensure bottled water's consistent safety, quality and good taste. It is important to note that FSANZ bottled water standards are law and not guidelines and therefore must be met by all water bottlers without exception. FSANZ requires bottled water to comply with not only bottled water-specific standards as well as regulations required of all food products.

As with other food products, bottled water is subject in addition to food law, to the stringent labelling requirements of the Australian Consumer & Competition Commission (ACCC). As with other food products, bottled water may be recalled from the marketplace.

In addition to federal and state regulations, ABWI members are required to adhere to standards in the ABWI Bottled Water "Model Code", which in most cases are stricter than FSANZ regulations. The ABWI "Model Code" is enforced through a mandatory, annual, plant inspection by an independent, third-party registered food audit organization.

With much attention focused on the safety and security of the nation's food supply, the bottled water industry has elevated its efforts to provide consumers with a safe, high quality product. The numerous federal and state regulations and standards already in place, coupled with the bottled water industry's use of enhanced learning systems help ensure the safety and security of our products. It also means that consumers can trust and rely upon their bottled water.

For more details on regulations please click here

WHY CONSUMERS CHOOSE BOTTLED WATER

Consumers across the world choose bottled water as an alternative to other packaged beverages when consumers want to moderate their calories intake and look for an unsweetened, clean tasting, natural product.

They sometimes also choose bottled water because they are not always satisfied with the aesthetic qualities (e.g., taste, odor, color) of their tap water. We are fortunate in Australia and New Zealand to have a safe water supply but natural events may cause service difficulties or interruptions.  Many consumers drink both depending on the circumstances.

BOTTLED WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

When it comes to environmental stewardship and container safety, the bottled water industry is part of the solution. We partner with other beverage producers, and environment authorities to encourage and build upon the kerbside recycling infrastructure. Consumers need to be further educated about recycling and have access to recycling points for collection of all beverage containers and other recyclable goods. To single out bottled water packaging is to ignore the fact that today's society demands and relies upon packaged food and drinks.

Annual bottled water production accounts for less than 1/100 of a percent (0.01%) of the total ground water withdrawn in Australia & New Zealand each year. The bottled water industry uses minimal amounts of ground water to produce this important consumer product-and does so with great efficiency. To single out the bottled water industry - from among the thousands of food, beverage and commercial water users - is unfair and just plain wrong. Misinformed focus of criticism on the bottled water industry does nothing to protect and sustain the nation's renewable ground water resources. Visit the web site of the Drinking Water Research Foundation (www.dwrf.info) for a study summary of the report, "Bottled Water Production in the United States: How Much Ground Water is Actually Being Used?" as an example of the impact of bottled water on ground water supplies in a western society.

BOTTLED WATER CONTAINER SAFETY

Bottled water is but one of thousands of food products packaged in plastic containers. Australian Standards are in place and adhered to, ensuring the safety of all packaging used for food and beverages.

BOTTLED WATER & EMERGENCY REPSONSE

ABWI and its members stand ready to participate in the development of solutions to better enable federal, state and local emergency response agencies to act with greater efficiency and speed with regard to bottled water distribution and coordination in emergency relief operations. The bottled water industry has provided millions of bottled water servings in response to Asian Tsunami emergency, events such as the cyclones in Queensland, and countless other emergencies that have interrupted the delivery of safe drinking water.

BOTTLED WATER IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD

While governments and the private sector work to find solutions for the provision of clean drinking water in underserved communities around the world, bottled water is sometimes the most efficient and cost effective means of delivering clean, sanitary drinking water to communities in need.

BOTTLED WATER & FLUORIDE

The regulations in Australia and New Zealand permit the voluntary addition of Fluoride to still, packaged water at a range of 0.6-1mg/L (total of added and naturally occurring fluoride) which reflects that of the municipal water supply in Australia and New Zealand. As a legal requirement, any bottled water sold in Australia and New Zealand which has added Fluoride must state clearly on the label that the product ‘contains added fluoride’.

The addition of Fluoride to bottled water was made legal in July 2009. Prior to this date, bottled water was criticised for not containing fluoride and correlations were made between bottled water and increased cavities , which was only ever speculation. There is no correlation between the increased consumption of bottled water and an increase in cavities. In fact, bottled water does not contain ingredients that cause cavities and is often a replacement for beverages and foods that may contribute to poor dental health. The availability of fluoridated and non fluoridated bottled water products on the market increases choice for consumers to meet daily hydration requirements.

There are many sources of fluoride, and the amount of fluoride exposure varies greatly by community and individual. Consumers should look at how much fluoride they are receiving as part of an overall diet and should contact their health care provider or dental care provider for their recommendation.

More facts about bottled water regulations, safety and other reasons for consumer bottled water choice, are available on this web site. Consumers have a right to information that may help them make balanced decisions about their drinking water and beverage choices.

The Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in 1996, ABWI's membership includes Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific bottlers, distributors and suppliers.

ABWI is committed to working with the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (FSANZ), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. Additionally, ABWI requires member bottlers to adhere to the ABWI Bottled Water Model Code, which mandates additional standards and practices that, in some cases, are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the ABWI Model Code is an annual plant inspection by an independent, third party organization. For more information about ABWI, bottled water and a list of members, please contact ABWI on +61 2 9662 4822 or abwi@bottledwater.org.au.