​California Health and Safety Code (H&SC) Section 111120 requires that every operator of a water vending machine in California obtain a Water Vending Machine Operator License issued by the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB). A water vending machine means a water-connected vending machine designed to dispense drinking water, purified water, or other water products. The Water Vending Machine Operator License must be renewed annually.

FDB will evaluate your water vending machine to ensure readiness to operate and may conduct an on-site pre-licensing inspection. Once licensed, periodic on-site inspections are conducted to assess compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. The inspection will include an evaluation of your water vending machine’s maintenance, sanitary condition, and labeling. Water quality test results and inspection/service records must be available for review by FDB upon request.

​Vended Water Quality Testing Requirements

• You are required to perform the bacteriological (coliform organisms) analyses at least every 6 months using a certified laboratory.
• If your vended water is labeled or advertised as “Purified water”, you are required to perform the total dissolved solids (TDS) by conductivity measurement each time the vending machine is serviced.
• ​Water sold as Purified water must not exceed 10 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS).
• If your vended water labeling or advertising states “Pure water,” “Agua pura,” or any similar name that implies the water is purified, it is considered Purified water and must meet the TDS allowable limit and monitoring requirement.
• ​All testing must be conducted by a laboratory certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
• ​You are required to review your water quality analysis results to ensure that your water treatment is effective.
• Pursuant to H&SC Section 111155, FDB may require you to test for other contaminants if FDB suspects the substances may be present in the water.

​Equipment and Materials

• Any owner or operator of a water-vending machine must comply with the following standards of design, construction and sanitation:
  
• Comply with the construction and performance standards established by the Department.
• Be designed and constructed to permit easy cleaning and maintenance of all exterior and interior surfaces.
• Have all parts and surfaces that come into contact with the water constructed of approved, corrosive-resistant and nonabsorbent material capable of withstanding repeated cleaning and sanitizing treatment.
• Have a recessed or guarded corrosion-resistant dispensing spout.
• Be designed so that all treatment of the vended water by distillation, ion exchange, filtration, ultraviolet light, reverse osmosis, mineral addition, or any other acceptable process is done in an effective manner.
• Have an effective system of handling drip, spillage, and overflow of water.
• Have a backflow prevention device approved by the department for all connections with the water supply.
• Dispense water disinfected by ultraviolet light or other method approved by the department prior to delivery into the customer’s container.
• Be equipped with shutdown devices to be used when the disinfection unit fails to function, or whenever the total dissolved solids content exceeds 10 milligrams per liter in the purified water (if applicable).
• Be equipped with a self-closing, tight-fitting door on the vending compartment, or enclosing the vending spout to protect the vending spout when the water-vending machine is not in use.
• Comply with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) specifications for granular activated carbon if used in the treatment of potable water (AWWA B604-74).
• Be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from dirt and vermin.
• Use a state approved and regulated public water supply or FDB licensed private water source.
• Be located in an area that can be maintained in a clean condition and in a manner that avoids insect and rodent harborage.

​Equipment Inspection and Service

• Every owner or operator is required to maintain each water vending machine in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
  
• Water vending machines must be cleaned, serviced, and sanitized in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. These inspection and service visits must be conducted at least once every 31 days.
• Inspection and service records are required for every service visit made by maintenance personnel.
• Inspection and service records must show:
  
• the date and time of the visit
• any tests performed
• any maintenance performed
• the signature or electronic signature of the maintenance personnel
• The inspection and service records must be kept by the owner of the water vending machine for a minimum of two years and must be available for review by FDB upon request.
• A record of any consumer complaints shall be kept on file with the owner of the water-vending machine for a minimum of two years, and must be available for review by FDB upon request.

Labeling Requirements

• Water-vending machines shall display in a position clearly visible to customers the following information in English and Spanish:
• The name and address of the operator.​
• The fact that the water is obtained from an approved public water supply or licensed private water source.
• A statement describing the treatment process used.
• If no treatment process is utilized, a statement to that effect.
• A toll-free telephone number or a local telephone number within the area code in which the machine is located that may be called for further information, service, or complaints
• The FDB toll-free telephone number, (800) 495-3232, that may be called for complaints or questions.
• A sign or label indicating the date on which the water-vending machine was last sanitized and serviced by the maintenance personnel.
• A notice to consumers listing the type and condition of container suitable for use with the water vending machine.
• A valid decal or seal received from FDB indicating that a license fee has been paid and a license issued for the water-vending machine.​