International Bottled Water Association Applauds Federal Effort to Safeguard Nation’s Drinking Water

International Bottled Water Association Applauds Federal Effort to Safeguard Nation's Drinking Water

International Bottled Water Association Applauds Federal Effort to Safeguard Nation's Drinking Water

International Bottled Water Association | News Release | April 2, 2026

Alexandria, VA - The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) applauds the Administration's commitment to safeguard the nation's drinking water and its recognition that consumers deserve clear, reliable answers about what is in the water they drink every day. As this important work moves forward, we strongly encourage that all policy decisions remain firmly grounded in sound, peer-reviewed research. Durable protections for consumers are built on evidence, not drastic measures. IBWA stands ready to engage constructively with federal and state regulatory officials to ensure that any new standards, monitoring requirements, or regulations reflect the best available science and deliver meaningful insight for the American public.

"Consumers can be confident choosing bottled water because it is among the most safe, affordable, regulated, and wholesome choices for healthy hydration available," said Matt Herrick, IBWA president and CEO. "The bottled water industry has consistently prioritized consumer safety through rigorous standards, advanced processing technologies, and close collaboration with federal regulators. Before it is available on market shelves, all bottled water products, whether sourced from groundwater or public water systems, are produced utilizing a multi-barrier approach. These treatments are designed to remove contaminants and help ensure the safety of bottled water."

In fact, bottled water goes through one or more of the following processes: source protection, reverse osmosis, distillation, micro-filtration, carbon filtration, ozonation, or ultraviolet disinfection. In the United States, bottled water is regulated to meet strict safety standards, with limits set for over 90 potential contaminants including microbial, chemical, and radiological substances. For consumers concerned about PFAS in their tap water, bottled water provides peace of mind. IBWA requires all bottler members to test for PFAS and adhere to strict, rigorous standards of quality.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the "current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics found in food pose a risk to human health." Importantly, there is no standardized testing method to identify and measure micro- and nanoplastics in foods and beverages, no universally accepted definition of micro- and nanoplastics, and no agreed-upon health risk. IBWA strongly supports the development of standardized testing methods and accepted definitions by our federal government before any policies or conclusions about their potential impact are advanced.

"Today's announcement by the Health Secretary signals a step toward gathering necessary sound science on microplastics and a move away from fearmongering and misinformation. Many recent claims about microplastics stem from emerging research methods that lack robust scientific validation, leading to massive amounts of misinformation regarding foods and beverages. Today's move by HHS and EPA shows the federal government values scientific rigor and standards before jumping into policymaking," said Herrick.

Unfortunately, recent conclusions reported in the media about microplastics have caused some scientists to call out studies for serious methodological issues, including contamination risks, false positives, and inadequate lab controls.

Bottled water is strictly regulated by the FDA, which sets standards for bottled water. Those standards are required by law to be at least as protective of public health as EPA standards for public drinking water, and in some cases, such as lead, go further. Regular testing, quality control protocols, and strict current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations govern every stage of production, ensuring that bottled water meets some of the most demanding safety benchmarks on any consumer product on the market.

As the conversations around water contaminants continue to evolve, the bottled water industry stands committed to transparency and science-based regulation. IBWA members actively support ongoing research efforts, engage with federal agencies, and invest in filtration and packaging innovations that reflect the latest findings. For clear, evidence-based information on the safety and quality of bottled water, please visit bottledwater.org.

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Media Contact:
Sabrina Hicks
[email protected]
703.647.4601

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors, and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.

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