Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drink tap water or bottled water?
Most bottled water is safe to drink but doesn't replace tap water consumption. SANBWA is a standards setting body that ensures their members adhere to stringent safety and quality criteria. There's a time and place for both – South African tap water is only safe to drink depending on the finances and competency of the relevant municipality. Check with your local municipality regarding use of chemical and microbiological data, and the purification methods of tap water. When traveling locally, ask if the water is safe. If it smells and/or tastes of chlorine, then it is safe to drink, if not, drink with caution. Be cautious about water where municipalities are in financial difficulties or have management problems. Prevention is often better than cure so drink bottled water when travelling abroad.
Is bottled water an unnecessary evil?
Bottled water is a safe, healthy and convenient food product that millions of people drink worldwide to stay hydrated and enjoy its pure and refreshing taste. Efforts to discourage the use of bottled water are not in the public interest. Don't let misinformation influence your choice.
Do bottled water producers use up our water resources?
Bottled water production is extremely water efficient. The amount of groundwater used in the entire production of South Africa's total annual volume could irrigate one 18-hole golf course. The bottled water industry employs in excess of 1800 people directly and SANBWA believes that the industry has a responsibility to continuously improve and protect the conservation of water resources wherever possible. Our members' environmental stewardship requirements involve many measures to ensure sustainability and protection, meaning that extraction is in line with the source's unique recharge mechanism.
Is the plastic waste from bottled water justifiable?
Bottled water in SA constitutes 1.3% of the total SA beverage industry. To be effective, efforts to reduce the environmental impact of packaging must focus on all consumer goods and not just target any one industry. Materials are getting lighter and bottlers are using fewer natural resources. Bottled water companies are reducing their environmental footprint by using lighter weight plastics. Bottles are weighing 27% less than 7 years ago. Alternative packaging solutions, such as recycled content, are also being developed and used. The bottles are made from ployethylene Therephthalate (PET), a by product from oil manufacture, and 100% recyclable. The bottled water industry supports comprehensive recycling programs and partners with the recycling industry to educate consumers. It is mandatory for all members to recycle their plastic. SANBWA members are involved in recycling initiatives: an established drop off center at their bottling facility and at distribution centers, 'please recycle' on labeling, and adhering to documented policy regarding the use of suppliers who are members of Petco (PET recyclers).
Is bottled water safe to drink?
Although membership to SANBWA is voluntary, our 80% minimum representation of SA water bottlers since inception is indicative of the industry's commitment towards quality standards and industry development. SANBWA has 16 bottler members producing more than 80% of bottled water in SA. Only bottlers that meet stringent criteria are granted membership and allowed to carry the SANBWA logo on their labels as a seal of quality.
These criteria include management responsibility, quality management, hazard analysis, environmental stewardship, resource management and control of operations. Transgressions involve a considerable cost of implications for bottlers.
In SA bottled water is exclusively packed in PET containers. This approved material is often confused with other kinds of plastics – PET bottles do not leach any harmful substances whether left in a hot car , re-used or frozen. Bottled water is audited by SANBWA and some retailers, inspected by the department of health and regulated as a food. SANBWA members conform to Codex standards.
Why do people choose bottled water?
• Safe drinking water.
• Health consciousness: sugar and additive free versus sugary drinks.
• Pleasant tasting and refreshing.
• Convenience for on-the-go hydration.
• Widely available at various price points and sizes.
Acknowledgements:
SANBWA Newsletter – Ripples & Waves (September 2009)
SABS Food and Water Chemistry
CSIR Environmental Analytical Services