So you might be wondering how you can tell if your bottled water is high quality or not.

Well, we can't speak specifically for all brands of water but we can tell you that most of the bottled water in your local stores or delivered to your home or office is of good quality. Of course, there are different shades of "good." What we can speak for are the extremely high quality standards we set for bottled and spring water brands at Nestlé Waters North America. No other bottled water producer or brand has a more stringent and exhaustive quality assurance process.

After all, when you buy bottled water you expect a natural, healthy and honest product. With a highly trained staff, International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)-certified management and the most advanced production and analytical technology, we've gone to great lengths to see that you get exactly that. The quality assurance process starts by testing the water right at the source. Then, no fewer than nine quality checks are conducted every hour on each bottling line to measure the consistency of taste, mineral content, pH and other water quality parameters. Each bottle of water is then stamped with a production date, time and plant code that lets you know that you're buying the freshest, highest quality natural water available.

1. Source Selection and Monitoring
   The sources of Nestlé Waters spring water products are natural springs, which come from aquifers. Spring water selection is made on the basis of natural composition and freedom from contamination, availability, and taste. In house and trained geologists and hydrogeologists monitor springs regularly at the source. Only sustainable sources, which meet our stringent requirement for quality and environmental harmony, are utilized. Spring water collection is made using state-of-the-art equipment to prevent chances of contamination and safeguard the natural characteristics of the water.
2. Source Water Receiving and Monitoring
   Spring Water is transported from the natural spring either by food-grade pipelines or dedicated water hauling tankers direct to our plants. Trained Quality Assurance personnel at each plant take daily samples of incoming spring water and test for signs of contamination. Monitoring of the spring water collection and receiving process is performed regularly. One-micron-sized filters remove and sand or other particles from the water.
3. Water Storage and Monitoring
   Spring Water is temporarily held in food grade storage tanks upon initial receipt at the plant. Here, the spring water is further tested for conformance to specifications.
4. Microfiltration
   Specialized two stage advanced micro filters, designed specifically for our process, filter the raw spring water. These filters are pharmaceutical grade, and are designed to remove particles as small as 0.2 micron in diameter. This prevents the passage of unwanted bacteria.
5. Ultra-Violet Light/Ozone Disinfection
   This process follows micro-filtration and is designed to destroy harmful bacteria. The combined effects of micro-filtration and ultra-violet light/ozone disinfection provide ultimate assurance of product safety.
6. Bottling Control
   Our Bottling is carried out under very controlled conditions using state-of-the-art equipment. The spring water is monitored during the filling and capping process to prevent contamination from the environment. Each bottle is given a specific code that establishes the plant location, bottling line, and time produced. Each plant maintains water bottling specifications and control.
7. Packaging Control
   Packaging is carried out using the latest in modern equipment. Bottles, caps and labels are carefully controlled and monitored by lot. Most water bottles are manufactured on site for quality control. Package materials not meeting our high internal standards are rejected.
8. Clean-In-Place Sanitation Process
   Line sanitation practices include advanced internal pipe and equipment cleaning methods called C.I.P. This automated process cleaning method re-circulates detergent and sanitizing solutions at the precise temperatures and time to affect total control and maximum effectiveness of the line sanitation process.
9. Plant Quality Control, and HACCP* Program
   Each plant has a fully staffed Quality Assurance Department and Laboratory that maintain control over the plant quality control processes. Water, packaging materials and plant processes are carefully monitored to ensure that they meet company specifications and standards.
10. Corporate Quality Assurance Program
    Our National Testing Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art water testing machinery and staffed with degreed and experienced personnel. Comparative analyses are performed on products in accordance with state and federal regulatory standards. Independent from the plant Quality Control and Quality Assurance Departments, the Corporate Quality Assurance program sets company-wide standards, specifications, and monitors plant and water quality programs.