Skip to main content
CA.Gov State of California Logo
en EspaƱol Contact Us About News & Media Jobs/Careers
+ Increase Text Resize Reset to Default - Decrease
CDPH Site Logo
CDPH Site Logo
  • Text Size
      • + Increase Increase
      • - DecreaseDecrease
      • Reset to Default Reset to Default
  • I am looking for
      • What’s New

      • 2025 State of Public Health Testimony

      • CDPH New Look

      • H5N1 Bird Flu

      • Respiratory Virus Report

      • Tips for After an Earthquake

      • Wildfire Preparedness and Safety

      • Administrative

      • All Local Health Jurisdiction Letters & Notices

      • Budget Highlights

      • Boards and Advisory Committees

      • Forms

      • Language Access Services Program

      • Local Health Services/Offices

      • Public Records Act Request

      • Proposed Regulations

      • Proposition 56 Fiscal Reporting

      • Diseases and Conditions

      • Cancer

      • COVID-19

      • Diabetes

      • Diseases and Conditions

      • Disease Reporting

      • Healthcare-Associated Infections

      • HIV/AIDS

      • Mpox

      • Problem Gambling

      • Respiratory Viruses

      • Sexually Transmitted Diseases

      • See More
      • Family Health

      • Breastfeeding

      • Genetic Disease Screening

      • Mental Health

      • Nutrition and Physical Activity

      • Pregnancy and Reproductive Health

      • Women, Infants and Children

      • Health and Safety

      • Climate Change and Health

      • Emergency Preparedness

      • Environmental Health

      • Health in all Policies

      • Workplace Health

      • Health Facilities

      • File a Complaint

      • California Health Facilities Information Database

      • Personal Health and Prevention

      • Behavioral Health

      • Cannabis (Marijuana)

      • Immunizations

      • Nutrition

      • Quit Smoking

      • Licensing, Certification and Other Credentials

      • Certificates, Licenses, Permits and Registrations

      • Health Care Facility Licenses

      • Health Care Professionals

      • Laboratory

      • Medical Professional Licenses

      • Medical Waste

      • Pet Importation and Exportation

      • Radiation and Nuclear

      • Registered Environmental Health Specialist

      • Vital Records

      • X-ray Machine Registration

  • I am a
      • Clinician / Healthcare Provider

      • Legislator / Legislative Staff

      • Media Representative

      • Researcher / Statistician

      • Person Interested In

      • Infant and Child Health

      • Men’s Health

      • Senior Health

      • Women’s Health

      • Youth and Young Adult's Health

      • LGBT Health

  • Programs
      • Center for Healthy Communities

      • California Tobacco Control

      • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

      • Chronic Disease Control

      • Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research

      • Emergency Preparedness

      • See More
      • Center for Preparedness and Response

      • Be Prepared California

      • Know and Understand Natural Disasters

      • Center for Family Health

      • Genetic Disease Screening Program

      • Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health

      • Women, Infants and Children

      • Center for Health Care Quality

      • Healthcare-Associated Infections Program

      • Licensing and Certification

      • Center for Health Statistics and Informatics

      • End of Life Option Act

      • Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program

      • Research and Analytics Branch

      • Vital Records

      • Center for Infectious Diseases

      • HIV/AIDS

      • Binational Border Health

      • Communicable Disease Control

      • Communicable Disease Emergency Response

      • Refugee Health

      • See More
      • Director / State Public Health Officer

      • Legislative and Governmental Affairs

      • Let's Talk Cannabis

      • Office of Health Equity

      • Office of Communications

      • See More
      • Center for Environmental Health

      • Division of Food and Drug Safety

      • Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management

      • See More
      • Center for Laboratory Sciences

      • Division of Environmental Health Laboratories

      • Infectious Diseases Laboratory Division

      • Laboratory Field Services

      • Office of State Public Health Laboratory Director

      • Operations Branch

      • See More
      • Other CDPH Offices

      • Privacy Office

      • Office of Regulations

      • See More
  • A-Z Index
Division of Food and Drug Safety

Skip Navigation LinksWaterFAQs
 

Top Menu
  • Division of Food and Drug SafetyCurrently selected
    • Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch
Skip Navigation LinksDivision of Food and Drug Safety > Pages > FDBPrograms > FoodSafetyProgram > WaterFAQs
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Center for Environmental Health
  • Division of Food and Drug Safety
  • Water FAQs
Left Menu
  • Lists
  • Programs
    • California Conference of Local Health Officers
      • CCLHO Board and Committee Information
      • CCLHO Board of Directors
      • Chronic Disease And Injury Prevention
      • Communicable Disease Control And Prevention
      • Environmental Health
      • CCLHO Executive Committee
      • Health Information And Data
      • Semiannual Meetings
      • Small Jurisdiction Committee
      • Other CCLHO Meetings
      • CCLHO Board of Directors April 2017
      • About CCLHO
      • CCLHO Affiliates
      • CCLHO Board And Committee Chairs
      • CCLHO Strategic Map 2017-2020
      • CCLHO Organization
      • Chronic Disease Injury Prevention Agenda 1-5-2017
      • Chronic Disease Injury Prevention Agenda 2-15-2017
      • Chronic Disease Injury Prevention Agenda 3-2-2017
      • Health Officer Resources
    • Center for Environmental HealthCurrently selected
      • Division of Food and Drug Safety
        • Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch
          • Apply for a License
          • Complaint
        • Program Landing
        • Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch
        • Food and Drug Laboratory Branch
        • FDLB Contact Us
        • FDLB Chemistry and Microbiology Client List
        • Abused Substances Analysis Section (ASAS)
        • Chemistry Section
        • Food and Drug Branch
        • FDB Certificates and Licenses
        • Forensic Alcohol Laboratory Program
        • Methadone Laboratory Regulatory Program
        • FARC
        • Helpful Hints
        • FAQs
        • Cannery Frequently Asked Questions
      • Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management
        • Radiologic Health Branch (RHB)
        • Radiologic Technology Certification Committee
        • RHB Laws and Regulations
        • RHB-Contact
        • RHB Job Opportunities
        • IN-LPRP
        • Radiation Emergencies
        • RHB - What's New
        • RHB - About Us
        • Recreational Health Program Contact Page
        • RHB - Radiation Safety Complaints
      • Certificates, Licenses, Permits and Registrations
      • Environmental Health Support Section
      • One Health
      • EHTER
      • Office of State Environmental Health Director
    • Center for Family Health
      • Division of Genetic Disease Screening
        • GDSP Mission
        • Genetic Disease Screening Program Publications
        • GDSP False Claims Act
        • Screening Information System (SIS)
        • GDSP Notice Of Information And Privacy Practices
        • GDSP Program and Services
        • Billing and Payment
        • Payment Portal FAQ
        • Current Year Budget Estimates
        • GDSPContactPage
        • Referral Centers
        • Your Future Together
        • Supporting Research
        • Education Resources for Individuals and Families
        • Education Resources for Healthcare Providers
      • Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division
        • Adolescent Family Life Program
          • Where We Are
          • Contact Us
          • Program Consultants and Contract Liaisons
          • Stories from the Adolescent Family Life Program
          • AFLP Request for Application 2023
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Addendum #1
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Addendum #2
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Addendum #3
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Questions and Answers
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Addendum-4
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Public Notice of Intent to Award
          • AFLP RFA 2023 Final Announcement of Awards
          • AFLP Program Implementation
          • AFLP Evaluation Program Outcomes
          • AFLP Program Evaluation
          • State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-2025 AFLP Budget Submission and Supplemental Forms Announcement
        • Adolescent Health
        • Adolescent Sexual Health Education Program
        • Black Infant Health Program
          • Where We Are: Local BIH Sites and Coordinators
          • Contact Us
          • Maternal and Infant Mortality/Morbidity
          • Health Equity
          • Outreach and Education Toolkit
          • Program Consultants and Contract Liaisons
          • Evaluation of the California Black Infant Health Program
          • Program Evaluation: Intermediate Outcomes Among Prenatal Group Model Participants
          • Program Evaluation: Services Received and Services Provided During Prenatal Group
          • Program Evaluation: Participant Participant and Staff Perceptions about the Program
          • SisterStory: Stories from Black Infant Health
          • Program Evaluation: Participants Served
          • Program Evaluation: Contextual Conditions that Supported the Implementation of the Prenatal Group Model
          • Group Model Components
          • Notice of Intent to Award: Updated Annual Allocations for the Black Infant Health Program for State Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26
        • Breastfeeding Initiative
          • Breastfeeding Sites and Local Coordinators
          • Guidelines and Resources
          • Guidelines and Resources for Clinics
          • Guidelines and Resources for Community Partners
          • Guidelines and Resources for Hospitals
          • Guidelines and Resources for Providers
          • Hospital Quality Improvement
          • Breastfeeding Laws
          • Breastfeeding Model Hospital Policy Recommendations
          • Lactation Accommodation
          • Lactation Accommodation: For Child Care Providers
          • Lactation Accommodation: For Community Partners
          • Lactation Accommodation: For Employers
          • Lactation Accommodation: For Parents
          • Breastfeeding
          • Data and Reports
          • In-Hospital Breastfeeding Initiation Data
          • Lactation Accommodation Laws for Workplace, Jails and School
          • Breastfeeding Awareness
        • California Home Visiting Program
          • Program Policies and Procedures
          • CHVP Sites and Local Coordinators
          • Contact Us
          • Data and Reports
          • Program Resources
          • Program Consultants and Contract Liaisons
          • HomeStory
          • California Statewide Home Visiting Needs Assessment
          • Evidence-Based Home Visiting Models in California
          • CHVP Memo #23-04: Notice of Award for MIECHV
          • CHVP Memo #23-05: Notice of Award for State General Fund
          • Request for Supplemental Information
          • State General Fund Innovation 2.0
          • Funding Alert for CHVP State General Fund Innovation for State Fiscal Year 2023 – 2028, 2023
          • Addendum #1 for CHVP State General Fund Innovation for State Fiscal Year 2023 – 2028, 2023
          • Questions and Answers for CHVP Request for S​uppl​​ementa​l Information 2023
          • Interim Guidance Regarding Allowable Uses of CHVP State General Funding for Mental Health or Social Worker Consultation in Home Visiting
          • CHVP Policy and Procedure Feedback Request
          • Addendum 2 - CDPH/CHVP State General Fund Innovation 2.0 Request for Supplemental Information (RSI) for State Fiscal Year 2023 – 2028, 2023
        • California Personal Responsibility Education Program
          • CA PREP Request for Application 2018
          • CA PREP Questions and Answers for 2018 RFA
          • Contact Us
          • CAPREP-RFA-2021
          • CA PREP RFA 2021 Addendum #1
          • CA PREP Questions and Answers for 2021 RFA
          • CA PREP RFA 2021 Addendum #2
          • CA-PREP RFA 2021: Public Notice of Intent to Award
          • CA-PREP RFA 2021: Public Notice of Final Award
        • Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program
          • CPSP/MCAH Prenatal Programs in Your County
          • Contact Us
          • Provider Resource Document
          • New CPSP Provider Application and Process
        • Data Dashboards
        • Fetal and Infant Mortality Review
          • Local FIMR Coordinators
        • FLOURISH
        • Human Stem Cell Research
          • Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee
          • Human Stem Cell Research Reporting Forms
          • HSCR Advisory Committee Meetings
        • Information and Education
          • Local I&E Coordinators
          • I&E Request for Application 2019
          • Contact Us
        • Local Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health
          • Local MCAH Directors and Coordinators
          • Annual Reports
          • County Profiles
          • About Us
          • Contact Us
          • Transition of the Perinatal Services Coordinators (PSCs) Activities — October 6, 2023
          • Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
          • Release of Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
        • Maternal and Infant Health Assessment
          • Methods
          • Questionnaires
          • Successes
          • Contact Us
          • MIHA Data and Reports
          • FAQs
          • Income loss, job loss and childcare problems early in the COVID‑19 pandemic
          • Mental health during and after pregnancy early in the COVID-19 pandemic
          • Food Insecurity and Housing Instability Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic
          • COVID-19 impacts on pregnant people and families in California, 2020
          • MIHA Data Dashboards
          • MIHA Data Snapshots Dashboard
        • Nutrition and Physical Activity
          • Guidelines and Resources
          • Systems and Environmental Change
          • Emergency Preparedness: Infant and Young Child Feeding
          • MyPlate
          • Healthy Eating and Physical Activity as a Family
          • Folic Acid
          • California Infant Feeding Guide
          • Healthy Weight for Healthy Birth and Beyond
          • Physical Activity for Children
          • Choking Prevention for Young Children
          • Multiple Factors Affect Birthing Parents’ Weight
          • Healthy Weight for Healthy Birth and Beyond Toolkit
          • Healthy Weight for Healthy Birth and Beyond Data Brief
          • Physical Activity as a Family
          • Healthy Eating as a Family
        • Perinatal Equity Initiative
          • Contact Us
          • Outreach and Education Toolkit
          • PEI Where We Are
          • Program Consultants and Contract Liaisons
          • PEI Community Advisory Board (CAB)
          • Perinatal Equity Initiative Public Awareness Campaigns
        • Preconception
        • Regional Perinatal Programs of California
          • Where We Are: Local RPPC Sites and Coordinators
          • Program Policy and Procedures
          • Contact Us
          • RPPC RFA 2022 Addendum #1
          • RPPC RFA 2022 Addendum #2
          • RPPC RFA 2022 Addendum #3
          • RPPC RFA 2022 Addendum #4
          • RPPC Request for Application 2025
          • RPPC RFA 2025 Questions & Answers
          • Addendum 2 - RPPC Request for Application 2025
          • Addendum 1 - RPPC Request for Application 2025
        • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Program
          • Local SIDS Coordinators
          • Risk Reduction Resources
          • SIDS Advisory Council
          • SIDS Advisory Standing Rules
          • Safe Sleep Environments for Infants
          • SIDS Resources for Me and My Family
          • SIDS Protocols
          • Tool for First Responders
          • Preparing for SUID Home Visit
          • SIDS Program Mentors
          • Health Care Professionals
          • Contact-Us
          • MyStory: Stories from the California SIDS Program
          • SIDS Coordinator Mentors
          • SIDS Parent Support Group
          • Safe Sleep for Babies
          • SueƱo Seguro Para Los BebĆ©s
          • SIDS/SUID Advisory Council Members
      • Women, Infants and Children
        • Program Landing
        • Grocers
        • Local Agencies
        • Report Fraud & Abuse
        • Farmers’ Markets
        • WIC Foods
        • Research & Data
        • About WIC
        • Laws & Regulations
        • How Can I Get WIC?
        • Health Care Providers
        • Budget Estimate Archive
        • FederalFoodRequirementsandExamples
        • Breastfeeding Resources for Health Care Providers
        • Bulletin Regulations
        • 2021 Summer Benefit Increase
      • Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
    • Center for Health Care Quality
      • Healthcare Associated Infections
        • Program Landing
        • Me and My Family
        • Healthcare Providers
        • Annual HAI Reports
        • Public Health Partners
        • HAI Advisory Committee
        • ContactUs
        • M.Chimaera
        • ​Antimicrobial Resistance (AR)
        • HAI Interactive Maps
        • Monitoring Adherence to Healthcare Practices that Prevent Infection
        • Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)
        • Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Reporting In CA Hospitals
        • HAI Advisory Committee Members List
        • CA Campaign To Prevent BSI in Hemodialysis Patients
        • 2-Day Basics IP Course
        • C. difficile (C. diff, CDI)
        • Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI)
        • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection (MRSA BSI)
        • Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci Bloodstream Infection (VRE BSI)
      • Licensing and Certification Program
        • CalHealthFind
          • ASPEN_STATE_2567
          • Complaint Investigation Process
          • Consumer Guide
          • Facility/Provider Types
          • Facility Compare
          • Facility Detail
          • Facility Detail Popup
          • Helpful Links
          • Search Result
          • State Enforcement Actions
          • STATE_PENALTY_1424
          • STATE_PENALTY_2567
          • ASPEN_FEDERAL_2567
          • Complaint
          • Survey Inspection Details
          • Medi-Cal Involuntary Terminations
        • Program Landing
        • Health Care Facilities
        • Patients, Residents, and Families
        • Stakeholders and Policy Makers
        • Health Care Professionals
        • All Facilities Letters
        • L&C All Facilities Letters 2006
        • L&C All Facility Letters 2007
        • L&C All Facility Letters 2008
        • Stakeholder Forum
        • Find and choose a nursing home
        • L&C All Facilities Letters 2009
        • L&C All Facilities Letters 2010
        • Field Operations Branch - District Offices
        • License Fee Reports
        • Quality Improvement Initiatives
        • L&C All Facilities Letters 2011
        • L&C All Facilities Letters 2012
      • testpage
      • Stakeholder Forum
      • SNFMobileApp
      • SNFData
      • SNFeducation
      • SNFsurveymodel
      • SNFresources
      • testnewdn
    • Center for Health Statistics and Informatics
      • California Marriage License, Registration and Ceremony Information
      • Vital Records
      • RAB - County Health Status Profiles
      • RAB Researchers and Statisticians
      • Vital Records Fees
      • Vital Records Important Infomation
      • Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records
      • Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
      • Assembly Bill (AB) 1733
      • Contact CDPH Vital Records
      • Vital Records Processing Times
      • Sworn Statement
      • Obtaining Vital Records From County Offices
      • Vital Records Issuance and Preservation Branch
      • California Marriage License General Information
      • Types of Marriage Licenses
      • Adoption Process
      • Marriage Officiant Frequently Asked Questions
      • County Registrars and Recorders
    • Center for Healthy Communities
      • Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Control
        • California Tobacco Control Branch
          • Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee
          • TEROC Meeting Information
          • TEROC Plan 2025
          • Education Materials
          • Tool Kits And Manuals
          • Media Campaign Information
          • Evaluation Plans
          • Cessation Services and Resources
          • Contact Information
          • CTCB Peer Reviewed Publications
          • Electronic Smoking Devices
          • Fact Sheets and Reports
          • Flavored Tobacco and Menthol
          • Welcome
          • Partners
          • News and Press Releases
          • Tobacco Taxation and Price
        • Chronic Disease Control Branch
          • Program Landing
          • Alzheimer’s Disease
          • Arthritis
          • Diabetes Prevention
          • Heart Disease Prevention
          • Preventive Medicine Public Health Residency Program
          • California Epidemiologic Investigation Service Fellowship Program
          • California Wellness Plan Implementation
          • California Stroke Registry-California Coverdell Program
          • Healthy Hearts California
          • Guidelines, Resources, and Evidence-Based Best Practices for Providers
          • About Us
          • California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers
          • CWPI Convenings
          • CWPI Resources
          • Alzheimer’s Disease Program
          • Alzheimers Disease Resources
          • AlzheimersDataStatisticsReports
          • Stroke
        • Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch
          • Contact CDSRB
          • California Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
          • California Cancer Registry
          • About the CDSRB
          • About the CCR
          • Contact the CCR
          • California's Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
          • PSE in Comprehensive Cancer Control
          • CDOC Contact Us
          • Cancer Survivorship Care Plans
          • CDOC's Big Win
          • Library of Surveillance Tutorials
          • CDOC Webinars and Presentations
          • CDOC main page
          • CDOC Executive Committee
          • California Parkinson's Disease Registry
          • CPDR FAQs
          • HIPAA FAQs
        • Injury and Violence Prevention
          • Injury and Violence Prevention Branch
          • Overdose Prevention Initiative
          • Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence
          • Sexual Violence Prevention
          • Teen Dating Violence
          • Domestic Violence Prevention
          • Child Passenger Safety (CPS) In California
          • Essentials for Childhood
          • Cal-Enhanced
          • Crash Medical Outcomes Data Project
          • Naloxone Grant Program
          • Kids Plates
          • Pedestrian Safety (PedSafe) Program
          • Drowning Prevention: Toddler Pool and Spa Safety
          • Rape Prevention and Education Program
          • Domestic Violence Awareness Month
          • Sexual Assault Awareness Month
          • Naloxone Terms and Conditions
          • Your Pain is Real. So Are the Risks.
        • Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch
          • NEOPB Employment Opportunities
          • Research and Evaluation Section (RES)
          • Statewide Evaluation
          • Initiatives
          • Children and Youth
          • Prevention First
          • LHD Program Letters
          • Local Health Department Evaluation
          • Impact Outcome Evaluation
          • SNAP-Ed Guidance for Local Health Departments
          • Helpful Links
        • CDIC Leadership
      • Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control
        • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
          • Healthcare Provider Education
          • Lead Education Materials
          • Lead Related Construction
          • LRC Program Overview
          • Types of Certification
          • Testing Your Home for Lead
          • LRC Certification Process
          • LRC Traning
          • LRC State Certification Exam
          • Apply for Certification or Renewal
          • Hire a Lead Professional
          • Find a Lead Professional
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Health Care Providers
          • About the CLPPB
          • Report Results
          • Me and My Family
          • Lead Professionals
          • Provider Overview
          • Data
        • Environmental Health Investigations Branch
          • Community Participation & Education Section
          • Environmental Epidemiology Section
          • Exposure Assessment Section
          • Site Assessment Section
          • Contact EHIB
          • Environmental Justice
          • About EHIB
          • EHIB Programs
          • EHIB A to Z Index
          • EHIB Educational Materials
          • Data, Tools, and Research
          • Prescribed-Fire
          • LHD-Prescribed-Fire
        • Environmental Health Laboratory Branch
          • Air Quality Section
          • Biochemistry Section
          • About the Environmental Health Laboratory
          • CDPH-Approved Cholinesterase Laboratories
          • Contact the Environmental Health Laboratory
        • Occupational Health Branch
          • About Occupational Health Branch
          • Occupational Health Branch Programs and Activities
          • Occupational Health Branch Publications & Videos
          • Data & Statistics
          • Contact OHB
          • What's New at the Occupational Health Branch
          • Newsletter
          • Work-Related Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)
          • Occupational Health Watch February 2017
          • Occupational Health Watch March 2017
          • Occupational Health Watch January 2017
          • Occupational Health Watch April 2017: Spotlight on Skylight Falls for Workers Memorial Day
          • Occupational Health Watch November 2016
          • Occupational Health Watch October 2016
          • Occupational Health Watch September 2016
          • Occupational Health Watch July 2016: August Is Valley Fever Awareness Month
          • Occupational Health Watch June 2016
          • Occupational Health Watch May 2016
        • Continuing Education
        • Environmental Health Topics
        • Emergency Preparedness Team
        • Senior Health
      • Opioids
      • Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch
        • Cannabis
      • Environmental Health
      • Vaping Health Advisory
      • EVALI Weekly Public Report
      • About Us
      • Media Campaigns
      • Local Health Department Corner
      • Proposition 56 Fiscal Reporting
      • Office of School Health
      • About Us
      • 2023–24 Program Accomplishments
      • School-Based Health Center
      • Office of School Health Hub
      • Epinephrine Standing Order Frequently Asked Questions
    • Center for Infectious Diseases
      • Division (Office) of AIDS
        • HIV/AIDS Welcome Page
        • HIV/AIDS Program Overview
        • HIV Care Branch
        • HOPWA Program
        • OA Medi-Cal Waiver Program (MCWP)
        • Housing Plus Project
        • Minority AIDS Initiative
        • OA ADAP Branch
        • HIV/AIDS Prevention Program
        • HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program
        • Office of AIDS Budget Process
        • LGBTQ+ Health
        • HIV Care Program
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Contractors
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Service Providers
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Communications
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Health Insurance Premium Payment Assistance
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Forms
        • HIV/AIDS ADAP Resources
        • OA HIV Data Systems
      • Division of Communicable Disease Control
        • CalREDIE
        • CalREDIE Contact Us
        • CDER Contact Us
        • CDER Information for Health Professionals
        • CDER Resources
        • Chlamydia
        • Communicable Disease Emergency Response Program
        • DCDC Contact Us
        • DCDC Information for Local Health Departments
        • DCDC Resources
        • Gonorrhea
        • Hepatitis C
        • Infectious Diseases Branch
        • Interpreting Zika Virus Test Results
        • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
        • Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch
        • Syphilis
        • TBCBContactUs
        • Trichomoniasis
        • VRDL Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission for Pathologic Testing
      • Office of Binational Border Health
        • Office of Binational Border Health Publications
        • Office of Binational Border Health Advisory Group
        • About the Office of Binational Border Health
        • Contact the Office of Binational Border Health
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance
        • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
        • Binational Case Reporting
        • Binational Communication
        • Quarterly Binational Epidemiology Meetings
        • Border Region Respiratory Disease Surveillance
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance - Coccidioidomycosis
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance - Queso Fresco
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance - Mosquito-borne-diseases
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance - Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
        • Border Infectious Disease Surveillance - Influenza and Other Respiratory Infections
        • Border Demographics
        • Border Obesity
        • Border Diabetes
        • Border Mental Health & Suicide
      • Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response
        • Pathways
      • Office of Refugee Health
        • Refugee Health Clinics
        • Program Overview
        • Data & Statistics
        • Alameda County Resources
        • How to Request an Interpreter
        • Making a Medical Appointment
        • What is a Specialist
        • Complain About a Doctor
        • Health Emergency
        • Difference between Hospital and Clinic
        • Choose a Health Plan
        • Dental Care
        • Prescription Medication
        • Preventative Care
        • Health Screening
        • Immunizations
        • Contra Costa
        • Los Angeles
        • Orange
        • Sacramento
      • About the Deputy Director
      • AboutCID
    • Center for Laboratory Sciences
      • Division of Environmental Health Laboratories
        • Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory
        • Environmental Health Laboratory
        • Food and Drug Laboratory
      • Infectious Diseases Laboratory
        • Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
        • Microbial Diseases Laboratory
        • Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
      • Operations
    • Director's Office
      • Let's Talk Cannabis
        • En Español
        • FAQ and Fact Sheet Printable Resources
        • Helpful Resources
        • What’s Legal
        • Parents and Mentors
        • Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
        • Responsible Use
        • Youth
        • Community Toolkit
    • Emergency Preparedness Office
      • CDPH/EMSA Real-Time Mapping Application
      • Develop a Family Disaster Plan
      • Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit
      • Be Prepared California
      • Be Prepared Landing
      • Be Informed
      • Emergency and Evacuation Planning Guide for Schools
      • Tips for Communicating with Students During an Emergency
      • Know When and How to Shelter-in-Place for Schools
      • How to Help Students Cope and Deal with Stress
      • Pandemic Flu Checklist Homepage
      • Partners - Landing
    • Human Resources Division
      • Recruitment Events
      • Accounting
      • BusinessPros
      • BusinessPros
      • Community Safety
      • Consumer Goods
      • Entry Level
      • Environmental
      • IT
      • LabScience
      • Legal
      • Operations
      • PHDisease
      • Physician
      • ProgramAdmin
      • Public Relations
      • Regulatory Enforcement and Inspection
    • NBS
    • Office of Communications
      • CDPH Lifts Rock Crab Health Advisory in Portions of San Mateo County - South of Pillar Point
      • News Releases 2017
      • CDPH Launches Mobile Website for WIC Participants
      • CDPH Reports Widespread Flu Activity that is More Severe than Last Year
      • CDPH Fines San Francisco County Facility in Death of Resident
      • CDPH Fines Los Angeles County Facility in Death of Resident
      • Let’s Get Healthy California Announces Local Innovations to Improve California’s Health
      • Dungeness Crab Health Advisory Lifted for Remainder of California Coast
      • CDPH Issues Penalties to 14 Hospitals
      • News Releases 2016
      • Influenza Cases Widespread in California
      • Dungeness Crab Health Advisory Lifted in Portions of Mendocino County – South of Ten Mile River
      • CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from San Luis Obispo County
      • Dungeness Crab Health Advisory Lifted in Portions of Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt Counties
      • CDPH Releases Reports on Healthcare-Associated Infections, Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Personnel
      • CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Monterey County
      • CDPH Awarded Grant to Expand Child Safety-Seat Use
      • CDPH Awarded Grant to Study Motor-Vehicle Crash Injuries
      • Holiday Travelers Reminded to Take Precautions to Prevent Zika
      • Local Transmission Confirmed in Ensenada, Mexico
    • Office of Compliance
      • Office of Compliance Contact Us Page
    • Office of Health Equity
      • Abortion
      • Office of Health Equity Advisory Committee
      • Health Equity Research and Statistics Section
      • OHE Advisory Committee Bios
      • About_OHE
      • Contact Us
      • CDEU
      • OHESpeaker Series
      • CRDP
      • Health in All Policies
      • Disparities
      • Men's Health
      • Women's Health
      • Climate & Health Profile Reports
      • CalBRACE Project - Climate Change & Health Equity
      • CCHEP - Climate Impacts of Racism
      • Climate & Health Vulnerability Indicators for CA
    • Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs
      • Legislative Summaries
      • Legislative Newsletters
      • Contact Us
      • LegislativeReports
    • Office of Policy and Planning
      • California Equitable Recovery Initiative (CERI) Q&A
      • AB 1726 Asian and Pacific Islander Data Disaggregation Brief
      • State of Public Health Report
      • State of Public Health Report Resource Hub
      • Redirect Fusion to OPP
      • Transforming Behavioral Health
      • Partner and Community Engagement
    • Office of Problem Gambling
      • Helplines & Support Groups
      • Types of Treatment Offered
      • Resources & Tools
      • Gambler Self Assessment
      • Youth Gambler Self-Assessment
      • Know a Problem Gambler?
      • CalGETS
      • CalGETS Phase II
      • Announcements, Events & Trainings
      • Reports
      • Advisory Group
      • About OPG
      • Provider-Directory
      • Tools and Resources
      • 3 Questions
      • If You Feel Alone
      • Calendar
      • What is Problem Gambling
      • Loved Ones and Youth
      • Hope for Gamblers
    • Office of Professional Development & Engagement
      • Contact OPDE
      • Internship Program
      • Interns Corner
      • Meet the Former Interns --Eric Neuhauser
      • Meet the Former Interns -Carmen San
      • Meet the Former Interns - Katey DeSanti
      • Meet the Former Interns - Ryan Skaggs
      • Meet the Former Interns - Yesenia Posadas
      • Volunteer Internship Program
      • Language Access Plan
      • Language Access Services Program
    • Office of the State Public Health Laboratory Director
      • Laboratory Central Services
        • California Laboratory Animal Use Approval Program
      • Laboratory Field Services
        • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Job Opportunities
        • Regulatory Information
        • Complaints Program - Laboratory Field Services
        • Clinical Laboratory Technology Advisory Committee (CLTAC)
        • Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Chemist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Hematologist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Histocompatibility Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist Trainee License
        • Clinical Toxicologist Scientist Trainee License
        • License Verification
        • Clinical Laboratory Professional Licensing
        • Renewal of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Licenses & Certificates
        • Changing Key Demographic Information
        • Phlebotomy Certificate
  • Recent

Food and Drug Branch

FDB Home Page

Back to FDB’s Home Page

Contact

Ma​​​​​in​​​​​​​​ Te​​​​​​​lephone:

(800) 495-3232

 

Em​​​​a​​il:

FDBinfo@cdph.ca.gov

 

Address (Courier Del​ive​​​​ry):

California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch

1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

Ad​dre​​ss (Non-​​C​ourier Deliver​y):

California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch

P.O. Box 997435, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95899

Water - Frequently Asked Questions

Definitions

What is bottled water?

Bottled water is water sold or distributed to consumers in sealed containers for drinking, culinary, or other purposes involving a likelihood of being ingested by humans. Bottled water must be bottled only at a licensed water bottling plant. Bottled water:

  1. ​cannot contain sweeteners, acidifying agents (e.g. citric acid), vitamins, or chemical additives; and 
  2. with the exception of mineral water, must contain less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS).

What is vended water?

Vended water is water for drinking, culinary, or other purposes involving the likelihood of being ingested by humans that is dispensed or supplied from a:

  • Water vending machine
  • Retail water facility or store
  • Private water source
  • Water hauler

Vended water does not include; water placed in sealed containers by bottlers (see bottled water) or water derived from a public water system that has not undergone additional treatment.

What are the different types of water?

Spring Water: Water derived from an underground source which flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground source supplying the spring. There must be natural force causing the water to flow to the surface through a natural orifice. Spring water collected with use of external force must:

  • Be from the same underground stratum as the spring, as shown by a measurable hydraulic connection using a hydro geologically valid method between the borehole and the natural spring.
  • Have all the same physical properties and be of the same composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface of the earth through the spring’s natural orifice before treatment.
  • Not be under the direct influence of surface water.

Mineral Water: Water which contains more than 250 ppm TDS and originates from a protected underground water source. No minerals may be allowed to be added to this water. The label of mineral water must bear a mineral content statement if its TDS is less than 500 ppm or greater than 1,500 ppm. For example, if a mineral water contains less than 500 ppm of TDS, it must bear a statement ā€œLow Mineral Contentā€ on its label. If it contains more than 1,500 ppm of TDS, its label must state ā€œHigh Mineral Content.ā€ If its TDS is between 500 and 1,500 ppm, however, no statement will be necessary.

Well Water: Water which is extracted through a hole (bored, drilled or otherwise constructed), from a subsurface zone saturated with water that is not under the direct influence of surface water.

Artesian Water: Water which would meet the definition of well water except it taps a confined aquifer in which the water stands at some height above the top of the aquifer. ​Another suitable name is ā€œArtesian Well Water.ā€

Purified Water: Water that is processed by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable means to reduce its TDS to less than 10 ppm. The source can be from a spring, well or a public drinking water supply. Other suitable names include: ā€œDemineralized Water,ā€ ā€œDistilled Water,ā€ ā€œDeionized Water,ā€ and ā€œReverse Osmosis Water,ā€ depending on the corresponding treatment process used.

Sparkling Bottled Water: Bottled water containing natural levels of carbon dioxide. When the water is treated and carbon dioxide is added to restore displaced levels, the finished product contains the same amount of carbon dioxide as the water that emerged from the source. ​Soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are considered soft drinks, not sparkling bottled water.

Sterile Water or Sterilized Water: Bottled water that meets the requirements of the U. S. Pharmacopeia, 23rd Revision, January 1, 1995 for ā€œSterility Testsā€. This type of bottled water is not commonly sold in California.

Flavored Water: Bottled water with natural or added carbonation may be prepared with added flavors, extracts, essences, or fruit juice concentrates derived from a spice or fruit and comprising less than 1 percent by weight of the final product. The final product must not contain sweeteners or additives other than the flavors, extracts, essences, or fruit juice concentrates and carbon dioxide.

Drinking Water and Potable Water: They are generic names of bottled water. Any bottled water, produced by a licensed bottler, may be named as ā€œDrinking Water,ā€ or ā€œPotable Water.ā€

Are soda water, seltzer water, and tonic water regulated as bottled water?

Under California law bottled water:

  1. cannot contain sweeteners, acidifying agents (e.g., citric acid), vitamins, or chemical additives; and
  2. with the exception of mineral water, must contain less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS). Moreover, products such as: soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are considered soft drinks, not bottled water.

Laws and Regulations

How is bottled and vended water regulated in California?

Manufacturers of bottled water (whether located in-state, out-of-state, or in a foreign country) and providers of vended water must be licensed and regulated by the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB) in order to sell or distribute their products in California. FDB inspects in-state bottlers and vendors for sanitation, manufacturing operation control, equipment and quality control procedures, testing requirements, record keeping, labeling, and advertising. For bottlers located out-of-state or in foreign countries, FDB relies on the inspection by the pertinent regulatory agency of the state or the country where the plant is located. However, the bottlers must provide pertinent documents to FDB for review and must apply for a Bottled Water Plant License.

What laws and regulations govern the bottling and vending of water in California?

  • Health and Safety Code (H&SC)
    • Sherman Food Drug Cosmetic Law, H&SC Sections 111070 to 111198
    • California Retail Food Code, H&SC Sections 114145-114245 (vending machines)

  • Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR)
    • Beverages (Bottled Water): 21 CFR, Part 165
    • Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water (Bottled Water GMP’s), 21 CFR, Part 129
    • Good Manufacturing Practices, 21 CFR, Part 110
    • ​Food Labeling, 21 CFR, Part 101 and Part 102.33​​

​​Are bottled and vended water regulated the same as tap water?

No. The regulations for tap water are different from those for bottled water mainly because their sources are different. Source waters for producing public drinking water include lakes, rivers, and wells, while bottled water must be produced only from already approved sources (e.g., public drinking water or a licensed private water source). The key purpose of treatments for tap water is to make the water safe. Accordingly, the regulations for tap water are to meet that purpose. On the other hand, a water bottling plant, a water vending machine, or a retail water facility treats approved water to improve its quality (mainly clarity, flavor, and taste) by treatment with filtration processes (such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis, micro-filtration) and disinfection (such as ozone, ultraviolet light). Since the source water, purpose, and the types of equipment used for tap water are different from those for bottled water and vended water, comparing the regulations for the two different groups of products is not appropriate.

Does California have different water quality standards for bottled water from those of FDA?

California adopts all federal water quality requirements for bottled water except for trihalomethanes (THMs). The federal upper limit for THMs is 80 parts per billion (ppb), while California’s upper limit is 10 ppb. Quality requirements may be found at: California Health and Safety Code (H&SC) 111080, and 21 CFR Part 165.

Does imported bottled water have to meet the same quality standards as those bottled in-state?

Yes. Bottled water from other states or foreign countries must meet the same quality and identity standards as those produced in-state.

Bottled Water Reports

What is a bottled water report?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111071(b) requires that, beginning January 1, 2008, all bottlers in California who are licensed to bottle water for sale and distribution in California to prepare a bottled water report. The bottled water report, shall upon request, be made available to each customer.

Does the bottled water report have to be prepared in non-English languages?

Yes. The law requires the bottled water report to be in English, Spanish and in the appropriate language for each non-English-speaking group other than Spanish that exceeds 10 percent of the state’s population. Currently, the reports are required to be prepared in two languages, English and Spanish, because no other non-English-speaking group other than that speaking Spanish exceeds 10 percent of the California population at this time.

What information is required to be included in a bottled water report?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111071, requires that a bottled water report include at least the following information:

  • The source of the bottled water: Appropriate sources of water are defined in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 129.3(a). Examples of water sources include: a spring, artesian well, drilled well, municipal water supply, or any other source, that has been inspected and the water sampled, analyzed, and found to be of a safe and sanitary quality.
  • Treatment process: A brief description of the treatment process used for producing the bottled water. These may include: filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, or ultra violet treatment.
  • Product water Analyses: Not required, but recommended to attach current or immediately previous year test report(s), including: 
    1. All substances that are required to be analyzed in accordance with Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 165.110(b).
    2. ​Any unregulated substances if required to be tested by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Brief and plainly worded definitions for the following terms:

  • ​​​Statement of Quality
  • Maximum Contaminant Level
  • Primary Drinking Water Standard
  • ​Public Health Goal

A statement regarding the water source: The sources of bottled water may 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:

  • ​​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 waste ā€‹water discharges, or oil and gas production. Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
  • 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. Microbial organisms that may come from wildlife, agricultural livestock operations, sewage treatment plants, and septic systems.
  • Substances with radioactive properties that can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

​A statement regarding contaminants in water: 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). In order to ensure that bottled water is safe to drink, the United States Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Public Health prescribe laws and regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by bottled water companies. 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 (1-800-426-4791).

Information regarding product recalls, including water:

  • If you would like to know whether a particular bottled water product has been recalled or is being recalled, please visit the FDA’s website.

If applicable, the following statements must be included in the bottled water report:

  • If your bottled water contains nitrate (NO3) levels above 23 parts per million (ppm or mg/L) but below 45 ppm [the maximum contaminant level for nitrate (NO3)].
    • ā€œNitrate in drinking water at levels above 45 mg/L is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. These nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of the infant’s blood to carry oxygen, resulting in a serious illness. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Nitrate levels above 45 mg/L may also affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, including, but not limited to, pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are caring for an infant, or you are pregnant, you should ask advice from your health care provider.
  • If your bottled water contains arsenic levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb or ug/L), but below 10 ppb (the maximum contaminant level for (arsenic).
    • ā€œArsenic levels above 5 ppb and up to 10 ppb are present in your drinking water. While your drinking water meets the current EP​​A standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The State Department of Public Health continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects, including, but not limited to, skin damage and circulatory problems.ā€

If applicable, the following information must be disclosed in the bottled water report: 

  • Bottlers must fully disclose in the bottled water reports any exemptions or variance that have been granted by the California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch (FDB) including an explanation of reasons for each exemption or variance and the date of the exemption or variance.

Do licensed water bottlers have to prepare bottled water reports annually?

Yes. As a condition of licensure, bottlers must update the bottled water reports every year, and submit copies of the report, in English and Spanish, to the California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch (FDB) for review at the time the renewal application is submitted.

Labels and Labeling

What are the labeling requirements for bottled water?

California adopts all federal labeling requirements for bottled water, including:

  • Food Labeling, 21 CFR, Part 101
  • Beverages (Bottled Water): 21 CFR, 165.110

California also has additional requirements. For example, contact information must be stated on the label of bottled water (e.g., telephone number, mailing address, or e-mail address of the bottler or brand owner). In the case of products in non-returnable bottles, the contact information can be provided on each billing statement. California has also adopted a definition for ā€œflavored water,ā€ which has not been established in the federal regulations.

In addition, Health and Safety Code, Section 111185 has additional requirements for any bottler, whose corporate name or trademark contains the words ā€œspring,ā€ ā€œsprings,ā€ (or any derivative of ā€œspringā€), ā€œwell,ā€ ā€œartesian well,ā€ or ā€œnatural.ā€ Bottlers must label each bottle with the source of the water, in typeface at least equal to the size of the typeface of the corporate name or trademark, if the source of the bottled water is different from the source stated in the corporate name or trademark.

Does California have different labeling requirements for bottled water from those of the U.S. FDA?

California adopts all federal labeling requirements for bottled water, but has additional requirements. For example, contact information be stated on the label of bottled water (e.g., telephone number, mailing address, or e-mail address of the bottler or brand owner). In the case of products in non-returnable bottles, the contact information can be provided on each billing statement. California has adopted a definition for ā€œflavored water,ā€ which has not been established in the federal regulations.

If the source of bottled water or vended water is a public drinking water system (or a municipal source), does the source have to be indicated in the label?

When the source for bottled water comes from a public drinking water system, the product label must state that the bottled water is from ā€œa public drinking waterā€ or ā€œfrom a municipal source.ā€ However, if the water has been purified to have less than 10 ppm TDS (to meet the legal definition for purified water), it does not have to bear such statement on its label.

Water vending machines and retail water facilities must display, in a position clearly visible to customers, the fact that their source water is obtained from an approved public water supply.

What additional information must water bottlers have to include on the product label, package insert, or an attachment?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111170 (f) requires that, beginning January 1, 2009, each container of bottled water in a beverage container, sold at retail or wholesale in California, include on its label, or on an additional label affixed to the bottle, or on a package insert or attachment, all the following:

  • The name and contact information for the bottler or brand owner.
  • The source of the bottled water, in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. The Title 21 Code of Federal regulations Section 165.110(c)(2), which California adopts, states that bottled waters that use municipal water as their source and do not meet the definition of purified or sterile water are required to declare the source on their product label. Samples of such a source declaration include: ā€œfrom a community water system,ā€ ā€œfrom a municipal source,ā€ ā€œfrom a public drinking water.ā€
  • A clear and conspicuous statement that informs consumers about how to access water quality information contained in the bottled water report. The statement shall contain all of the following: It shall include the term ā€œwater quality and informationā€ appropriately, while informing customers about methods of gaining access to the full bottled water report.
  • It shall provide a telephone number where information can be requested from the bottled water company and one other means of contact for the bottled water company, including, but not limited to, a mailing address, e-mail address, or the bottled water company’s web site.
  • The following statement may be used to fulfill the requirements for the statement above: ā€œFor more information and to obtain additional consumer information relating to water quality, including a bottled water report, contact (name of bottled water company) at (telephone number or toll-free telephone number) and (at least one of the following: mailing address, e-mail address, or the bottled water company’s web site).

What additional information must licensed water bottlers, who distribute bottled water directly to consumers, include in the billing statement?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111170 (g) requires that, beginning January 1, 2009, each bottler who distributes bottled or vended water directly to consumers provide a statement on each billing statement that includes both of the following: 

  • A telephone number and mailing address of the bottler or brand owner. 
  • The means by which a consumer may obtain consumer information relating to water quality, including a bottled water report.

Licenses

What licenses are required to distribute or sell water in California?

State law requires that all water bottlers (regardless of whether located in-state, out-of-state, or in a foreign country), private source operators, bottled water distributors, retail water facility operators, water vending machine operators and water haulers obtain a license to bottle, collect, treat, hold, distribute, haul, vend, or sell water in California. FDB issues 6 different types of licenses:

  • Water bottling plant (in-state or out-of-state including those in foreign countries);
  • Private water source operator;
  • Water hauler;
  • Retail water facility;
  • Water vending machine operator, and
  • Bottled water distributor.​​

​​Bottled water distributor license is issued to those who deliver water in returnable bottles (e.g., 3 or 5 gallon bottles) from a bottler to a customer’s home or office and do the service of replacing bottled water on a customer’​s cooler. Those who deliver or sell bottled water packaged in single serve bottles (i.e., one time use only bottles which are found on supermarket shelves; e.g., 16.9 oz size bottled water) are not required to obtain a bottled water distributor license.

Where can I obtain a license application and procedures for obtaining a license?

All license applications and procedures can be downloaded/obtained at the FDB website. You may also contact the FDB Water Licensing Desk at (916) 650-6500.

Water Testing

How often is bottled and vended water tested?

The law requires bottled and vended water be tested as follows:

  • California (in-State) water bottlers are required to test product water for: 
    1. ​​Coliform bacteria weekly.
    2. Physical, chemical and radiological parameters at least once annually. Source water, if obtained from other than a public source, must be tested for coliform bacteria weekly.
  • Out-of-State water bottlers are required to test source water and product water for: 
    1. ​​Coliform bacteria weekly.
    2. Physical, chemical, and radiological parameters at least once annuall​y.
  • Private water source operators are required to test source water for: 
    1. ​Coliform bacteria weekly.
    2. Physical, chemical, and radiological parameters at least once annually.
  • Retail water facility and Water vending machine operators are required to test their water for coliform bacteria at least once every 6 months. If purified water is dispensed, dissolved solids must be measured not less frequently than once every 7 days.
  • Water haulers should test water for coliform bacteria: 
    1. ​At the first water load after their hauling tanks have been cleaned and sanitized.
    2. O​nce per 30 days during months when water hauling is performed.

What is the bottled water and source water tested for?

On an annual basis, bottlers and private source water operators must analyze water for:

  • Physical characteristics (e.g., color, odor, turbidity, total dissolved solids);
  • Inorganic substances (e.g., aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, mercury);
  • Volatile organic chemicals (e.g., benzene, carbon tetrachloride);
  • Non-volatile synthetic organic substances (e.g., alachlor, atrazine);
  • Radioactivity (e.g., combined radium-226 and -228, gross alpha and beta particles, uranium) and;
  • Disinfection by-products if disinfected (e.g., bromate, chlorite).

On a weekly basis, bottlers and private source water operators must test water for coliform bacteria. The full list of substances to be analyzed can be downloaded online.

Where can I test the water for compliance with California laws and regulations?

The required testing must be performed: 

  1. At a laboratory certified for the particular analysis by the California Department of Public Health’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). A list of certified laboratories near you can be downloaded at the ELAP website or obtained by contacting ELAP at (510) 620-3155, or 
  2. At a laboratory certified by the primary enforcement authority in those states (or foreign countries) which have been granted primacy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or laboratories certified (accredited) by a third-party organization acceptable to a primacy state. 

Other non-required tests (e.g., internal quality control testing), however, may be performed in-house.

Water Vending Machines and Retail Water Facilities

May an operator of a Water Vending Machine or a Retail Water Facility (or retail water store) bottle water?

No. Water vending machine (WVM) operators or retail water facility (RWF) operators are not allowed to bottle water because WVMs and RWFs are not water bottling plants. A WVM is a water-connected vending machine designed to dispense drinking, purified, or other water products. This machine must be designed to reduce or remove turbidity, off-tastes, and odors and provide disinfection treatment. Processes for removal or reduction of dissolved solids must be used. A RWF is any commercial establishment where vended water is sold and placed in the containers of a customer, who come to the establishment to obtain water.

May an operator of a Water Vending Machine or a Retail Water Facility deliver his or her water to a customer’s home or office?

No. The law does not allow operators of WVMs or RWFs to deliver water to their customers’ homes or offices. WVMs and RWFs have been classified by law, as a device or a commercial establishment, to which customers bring their containers to obtain vended water.

What information must licensed retail water facility operators display in their facilities (or stores)?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111170 (c), requires that, beginning January 1, 2009, each retail water facility display in a position clearly visible to customers the following information, both 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 facility is located that may be called for further information, service, or complaints, and the toll-free telephone number of the department’s food and drug branch that may be called for complaints or questions.
  • A sign or label indicating the date on which the retail water facility was last sanitized and serviced by the operator or maintenance personnel.
  • A notice to consumers listing the industry’s recommendations concerning the type and condition of containers suitable for use at the facility.

May a Retail Water Facility operator clean and/or sanitize customers’ containers?

RWF operators should not clean and/or sanitize their customers’ containers on their premises. It is the customer’s responsibility to bring clean containers to a RWF to obtain vended water.

Must licensed water vending machine operators provide information regarding their water vending machines in electronic format?

Yes. California Health and Safety Code Section 111130 (c) requires that, beginning January 1, 2008, an applicant for renewal of a water vending machine operator license provide to FDB, in electronic format, the serial number of each machine and the street address, city, Zip code, and county where the machine is located. A model form can be obtained online.

What are the requirements for cleaning and sanitizing water vending machines?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111115 (a) and 111170(b), requires that, beginning January 1, 2009:

  • Water vending machines be cleaned, serviced, and sanitized in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications at least once every 30 days.
  • The maintenance records (for cleaning, servicing, sanitizing) be kept for every visit made by either the operator or the maintenance personnel. These records must show the date and time of the visit, any tests performed, any maintenance performed, and the signature or electronic signature of the operator or maintenance personnel. The records must be kept by the owner of the water-vending machine for a minimum of two years and shall be made available to FDB upon request.
  • In addition, a sign or label indicating the date on which the water vending machine was last sanitized and serviced (both in English and Spanish) must be displayed in a position clearly visible to customers.

Must licensed water vending machine operators keep a record of consumer complaints?

Yes. California Health and Safety Code Section 111115 (a), requires that a record of any consumer complaints be kept on file with the owner of the water-vending machine for a minimum of two years, and must be made available to FDB upon request.

Must licensed water vending machine operators affix a decal to indicate that a license fee has been paid?

Yes. California Health and Safety Code Section 111130 (d), states that it is the duty of water vending operator or owner to affix a valid decal in a prominent place to each water vending machine in service. The decal will indicate that a license fee has been paid for the current year.

What information must licensed water vending machine operators display on their water vending machines?

California Health and Safety Code Section 111170 (c), requires that, beginning January 1, 2009, each vending machine display in a position clearly visible to customers the following information, both 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, and the toll-free telephone number of the department’s food and drug branch 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 operator or maintenance personnel.
  • A notice to consumers listing the industry’s recommendations for the type and condition of container suitable for use with the water-vending machine.
  • A valid decal or seal received from the department indicating that a license fee has been paid and a license issued for the water-vending machine.

General Concerns

Who has the responsibility for maintaining a bottled water cooler?

A bottled water cooler is an independent device that can be used to dispense water from removable 3 to 5 gallon plastic bottles usually positioned on top of the unit. Bottle water coolers can be cold units that can dispense only cold water, or hot and cold units that can dispense both hot and cold water. Like a refrigerator in your house, the owner has the responsibility to clean and keep the cooler in sanitary condition. If the owner has rented or leased the cooler from a bottler (or a bottled water distributor), it may the responsibility of the bottler (or the bottled water distributor) to maintain or periodically replace the cooler, depending on the terms of the contract.

Who should I contact if I receive illness complaints associated with my bottled or vended water?

If a consumer becomes ill after eating any food including bottled and vended water, they should be directed to contact their  physician immediately. If the medical examination indicates that the illness may have been due to the food or drink consumed, the consumer or your company should call the local county or city health department listed in the white pages of the telephone directory. In addition to the local health department, you may wish to report the illness to the ā€œFDB Consumer Complaint Hotlineā€ at 1-800-495-3232.

Page Last Updated : December 15, 2023
PHAB
For General Public Information
  • (916) 558-1784
  • Contact Us
  • Web Accessibility Certification
  • Download pdf viewer
  • Feedback
  • Jobs/Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Use Policy
Useful Links
  • Visit Governor's Website
  • State Agency Directory
  • CA Health & Human Services
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Visit CDPH on Instagram for the latest updates and health tips. Follow CDPH on Facebook to stay informed and connected. Explore professional updates and news from CDPH on LinkedIn. Watch health-related videos and get updates from CDPH on YouTube. Stay up to date with tweets and announcements from CDPH on X. Get the latest information and stay informed with CDPH on Bluesky. Connect and engage with CDPH on Threads to get the latest updates.