Bottled water is manufactured through a process that typically involves purification and packaging.
Water Sourcing
The process starts with sourcing the water. Bottled water can come from various sources including:
- Natural springs: Water that flows naturally to the surface from underground formations.
- Wells: Water extracted from underground aquifers.
- Public water supplies: Municipal water sources.
Purification Methods
Once sourced, the water is usually treated to ensure purity and safety. Bottled water companies use different methods to purify the water, including:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Distillation | Boiling water and collecting the steam, leaving behind impurities. |
| Reverse Osmosis | Forcing water through a membrane to remove dissolved solids and other contaminants. |
| Deionization | Removing electrically charged ions from the water. |
| Filtration | Passing water through filters to remove particulate matter, sediment, and other contaminants. |
| Ozonation | Using ozone gas to disinfect and oxidize contaminants. |
| Ultraviolet (UV) Light Disinfection | Exposing water to UV light to kill microorganisms. |
These methods may be used individually or in combination. According to the provided reference, most bottled water companies treat the water using these methods.
- For example, some manufacturers might use filtration first, followed by reverse osmosis and then UV disinfection.
- Other manufacturers may only need to filter their source water due to already high quality source water.
Packaging
After purification, the treated water is packaged in bottles, often made of plastic (PET) or glass. The bottles are sealed, labeled, and packaged for distribution.
Municipal Water
It is important to note that companies that bottle water from public water supplies without any additional treatment must label it as "municipal." This transparency allows consumers to make informed decisions.
Summary
In summary, bottled water manufacturing involves sourcing, purification using various methods like distillation, reverse osmosis, and UV light, and then packaging into bottles, and finally, the bottles are prepared for distribution and sale.
