What type of water does H2Cool offer?
H2Cool offers refreshing spring water originating from a natural flowing
spring. Spring water is derived from an underground formation from which water
flows naturally to the surface of the earth.
H2Cool also offers Distilled water for our customers. Distilled water is
produced using locally available tap water which is then heated to the boiling
point, and the resulting steam is what is captured. The resulting steam then
goes through the same process as our Spring water (filtration, ozonation, treatment
with UV light) before being bottled. Distilled water is free of any mineral
content.
How is bottled water different from tap water?
Consistent quality and taste are two of the principle differences between
bottled water and tap water.
Quality is in every container of bottled water. It's consistent and it is
inspected and monitored by governmental and private laboratories. Unfortunately,
tap water can be inconsistent -- sometimes it might be okay while other times
it is not. While bottled water originates from protected sources (such as underground
aquifers and springs), tap water comes mostly from river and lakes. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has reported that hundreds of tap water sources
have failed to meet minimum standards. Another factor to consider is the distance
tap water has to travel and what it goes through before it reaches the tap.
Taste is the other major reason people prefer bottled water versus tap water.
Chlorine is most often used to disinfect tap water which can leave an aftertaste
and lead to other problems.
Is bottled water regulated?
The bottled water industry is regulated on three levels: federal, state and
trade association.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, coupled with state and
industry standards, offer consumers assurance that the bottled water they purchase
is stringently regulated, tested and of the highest quality. The International
Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has been a long-standing proponent of additional
federal regulations for bottled water and is active at all levels of the local,
state and federal government assisting in the development of such regulations.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product. Bottled water companies
must adhere to the FDA's Quality Standards, Standards of Identity (Labeling
Regulations) and Good Manufacturing Practices.
Quality Standards:
All bottled water products must comply with the FDA's Quality Standards in
Section 165.110(b) of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
These standards, along with the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices, ensure
the safety of all bottled water products from production to packaging to consumption.
Standards of Identity (Labeling Regulations):
FDA's labeling rules for bottled water establish standards of identity and
standardized definitions for terms found on bottled water labels such as "artesian,"
"distilled," "drinking," "mineral," "purified," "sparkling" and "spring."
Good Manufacturing Practices:
Bottled water is subject to both general food Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMPs) and GMPs specific to bottled water processing and bottling. General food
GMPs govern such areas as plant and ground maintenance, sanitary maintenance
of buildings and fixtures, and sanitary facilities, including water supply,
plumbing and sewage disposal. Bottled water GMPs provide detailed regulations
governing plant construction and design, sanitary facilities and operations,
equipment design and construction, production and process controls specific
to the production and processing of bottled drinking water, and record keeping.
STATE STANDARDS
In addition to the FDA's extensive regulatory requirements, the bottled water
industry is subject to state regulatory requirements as well.
Inspections: A significant responsibility of the states is inspecting,
sampling, analyzing and approving sources of water. Under the federal GMPs,
only state approved sources of water can be used to supply a bottling plant.
Laboratory Certification: States certify all water testing laboratories.
In addition, as with any food establishment, the states perform unannounced
plant inspections, and some states perform annual plant inspections.
IBWA STANDARDS
Third-party Inspections: As a condition of membership, bottlers must
submit to an annual, unannounced plant inspection administered by an independent,
internationally recognized third-party inspection organization. This inspection
audits quality and testing records; reviews all areas of plant operation from
source through finished product; and checks compliance with FDA Quality Standards,
Good Manufacturing Practices and any state regulations.
IBWA Model Code: IBWA has established a quality assurance program,
a strict set of standards called the Model Code. The Model Code establishes
tougher requirements than federal and state authorities.
What process does the water go through before being
bottled? Is it filtered?
Once H2Cool water is obtained from the spring, it is transferred to a stainless
steel holding tank. Ozone, which is a more potent disinfectant than chlorine
yet leaves no residual in the water, is mixed into the water. The water then
enters our state of the art bottling plant where it is passed through a 5 micron,
then a .45-micron filtration process. Before the water is finally bottled, it
is subjected to Ultraviolet light, a natural disinfectant that eliminates the
potential of any harmful bacteria such as Crytosporidium or Giardia cysts. While
the water would be perfectly safe to drink without these measures, H2Cool proudly
puts our name on each bottle knowing we go well beyond most other water bottlers
to insure our customers the ultimate in purity.
Are there any beneficial minerals in H2Cool
water?
Despite the extensive filtration process described above, minerals are soluble,
or dissolved in the water, and are not removed during filtration. The primary
minerals present in our spring water are calcium and magnesium. Nothing artificial
is added to our water.
What about fluoride? Don’t my children need fluoride
for their teeth?
Fluoride, which is added to tap water in the US, remains a controversial
topic. While most Dental professionals recommend fluoride as a measure of prevention
for their patients, it is interesting to note that the US is the only industrialized
nation in the world that adds fluoride to our drinking water. Most people, however,
will obtain the proper amount of fluoride for their teeth with regular brushing
using fluoride toothpaste.
Is water necessary
for my health?
Water, free of impurities, is essential for the proper functioning
of your internal organs, muscles and skin. Did you know that the human body
would die of dehydration before starvation? Or did you know that the human brain
is comprised of over 70% water? People who regularly take medications, the elderly
and those who exercise should be particularly aware of their water consumption.
You may also notice that all diet plans and skin care programs highly recommend
an increased level of water consumption!
How much water should I drink
per day?
The amount of water each person should drink on a daily basis
is determined by numerous factors such as weight and physical activity. Most
doctors recommend that we drink 8 – 8 ounce glasses of water daily. While this
may seem like a lot of water, a glass of water consumed with each meal will
account for almost half of the recommended intake. To more accurately determine
the amount of water you should drink, use the International Bottled Water Associations’
hydration calculation.
How much water should I order
from H2Cool?
To simplify this calculation, H2Cool has established the ‘Hydration
Station Calculator’ that can assist in determining how much water you should
order. Depending upon the season and your level of physical activity, you may
want to consider ordering an additional case. Because water has a relatively
long shelf life, having extra water is also a good idea for parties, unexpected
guests or times of severe weather.
Where should I store my water?
Proper storage of water can prolong the shelf life of H2Cool water. Water
should be stored in a cool, dry area, out of direct sunlight. With proper storage,
H2Cool water will have a shelf life of up to 2 years.
I drink coffee and soft drinks throughout the day.
Does that count as my daily water consumption?
While these beverages do contain water, they are also considered diuretics,
which cause the displacement of water from the body. In fact, many doctors suggest
drinking two cups of water for every cup of coffee consumed to replace the fluids
lost! Even though H2Cool water helps brew a great tasting cup of coffee, we
suggest alternating your consumption of water with these other beverages to
maintain a proper balance of hydration throughout your day.
Are your bottles recyclable?
Yes, our bottles are made of HPDE #2 (High Density Polyethylene), and are
recyclable.
How should I dispose of my empty bottles?
Unlike many other water bottles, H2Cool's bottles are recyclable/disposable.
Therefore, you do not need to store empty bottles to return them upon your next
delivery, and there are no deposit fees. We encourage our customers to recycle
the bottles through your local recycling center or your office buildings’ recycling
efforts.
