Bottled water other than natural mineral water — 
Specification  BOTSWANA  STANDARD  BOS 143:2023 
Edition  4.0 BOS 143:2023 
BOTSWANA BUREAU OF STANDARDS   
 
 
 
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© BOBS [ 2023 ] – All rights reserved  
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Botswana Bureau of Standards  
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Website: www.bobstandards.bw  
ICS 13.060.20 
Published in Botswana  
 
 BOS 143:2023 
Edition 4.0 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
i Contents  
Page  
Foreword   ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  ii 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 1 
3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4 Requirements for the finished product  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 2 
4.1 Permissible treatments  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
4.2 Microbiological requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  3 
4.3 Contaminants  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 3 
4.4 Physical and chemical requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 4 
4.5 General requirements ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
5 Sampling of the finished product ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  6 
6 Packaging and labelling of bottles  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  6 
6.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
6.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  6 
Annex (normative) Samplin g and compliance wit h the standard ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
Annex B (informative) Recommended test methods for use in testing ................................ .............................  9 BOS 143:2023 
Edition 4.0 
ii Foreword 
This Botswana standard was approved by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Standards Council on 
2023-03-28.
The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) was established und er the Standards Ac t No. 16 of 1995 with a 
primary responsibility of preparing Botswana standards. 
This Botswana Standar d is a revision of, cancels and replaces BOS 143:20 11. 
Durin g the revi ew of this stand ard, th e following organizations w ere directly represented i n the Technical 
Committee , EMD 2 – Water Quality: 
Technical Committe e, EMD 2 – Water Quality Technical Committee: 
Water Utilities Corporation    Mr    R     Samaxa     (Chairperson)  
Botswana Bureau of Standards      Mr    K    Setiko    (Technical Secretary)  
Botswana Bureau of Standards     Ms   L    Ditlhakeng  
Botswana Bureau of Standards      Mr   K    Marumo  
Chobepure       Mr   M   Lamont  
Debswana Diamond Company Pty (Ltd)      Mr   B    Maswabi  
Debswana Diamond Company Pty (Ltd)      Mr   O    Mabote 
Gaborone Laboratory Services       Mr   R   Bimhah 
Leru Water     Ms   J   Motlogelwa  
Ministry of Agricultur e     Ms   T    Mosedame  
Plant Protection Division 
Ministry of Health     Ms   N    Leseane  
National Food Control Laboratory  
Ministry of Land s and Water Affairs      Ms   K    Tau  
Department of Water and Sanitation  
University of Botswana,     Ms    I    Chibua  
Department of Chemistry  
University of Botswana,      Dr    P     Koosaletse -Mswela  
Department of Environmental Science  
Water Utilities Corporation     Ms    B Moname tsi 
© BOBS  [2023 ] – All rights reserved  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
1 Bottled water other than natural mineral water — Specification  
1 Scope  
 
This Botswana Standard specifies the physical, chemical and microbiological requirements for bottled water 
other than natural water for human consumption. It also specifies permissible treatments and the requirements 
for bottling and labelling.  
NOTE  The water may be offered as bottled non -carbonated (still) water or bottled carbonated (sparkling) water.  
This standard excludes water that contains sugar, sweeteners, flavourants or other additives.  
2 Normative references  
The following normative documents are indispensable for the application of thi s standard. For dated references, 
only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including 
any amendments) applies. Botswana Bureau of Standards ( BOBS ) maintains registers of currently valid 
standards . 
AOAC method 991.07, Nitrogen and phosphorus containing pestic ides in finished drinking water – Gas 
chromatographic method.1 
APHA method 6630 B2, Organochlorine pesticides – Liquid - liquid extraction gas chromatographic method.   
BOS 306, Water quality – Bottled water – Code of hygienic practice . 
BOS 686, Requirements for a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.  
BOS ISO 6461 -1, Water quality – Detection and enumera tion of the spores of sulfite -reducing anaerobes 
(clostridia) – Part 1: Method of enrichment in a liquid medium.  
BOS ISO 6461 -2, Water quality – Detection and enumeration of the spores of sulfite -reducing anaerobes 
(clostridia) – Part 2: Method of membrane filtration.  
BOS ISO 9308 -1, Water quality – Detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria -Part 1: 
Membrane filtration method.  
BOS ISO 9308 -2, Water quality – Determinatio n and enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria – 
Part 2: Liquid enrichment method.  
BOS ISO 10304 -1 Water quality – Determination of dissolved fluoride, chloride, nitrite, orthophosphate, 
bromide, nitrate and sulfate ions, using liquid chromato graphy of ions - Part 1: Method for water with low 
contamination.  
BOS ISO 15553, Water quality – Isolation and identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts from 
water.   
BOS ISO 16266, Water quality – Detection and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Method by 
membrane filtration.   
 
1 In AOAC International. Official methods of analysis. 17th edition vol. 1. edited by William Horwits. Gaithersburg: AOAC 
International, 2000  
2 In Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater , prepared and published jointly by the American Public 
Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation. 19th ed. 1995.  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
2 ISO 6439, Water quality – Determination of phenol index -4 – Aminoantipyrine spectrometric methods after 
distillation  
ISO 6703 -1, Determination of cyanide — Part 1: Determination of total cyanide  
ISO 7899 -2, Water quality – Detection and enumeration of faecal streptococci – Part 2: Method by membrane 
filtration.   
ISO 8199, General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations by culture  
Food Control Act Regulations (Statutory Instrume nt No. 83 of 2002).  
Labelling of Pre -packaged Foods Regulations (Chapter 65.05).  
Weight and Measures Act  Chapter 43:06  
3 Definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:  
3.1    acceptable : allowable to the authority administering this standard, or to the parties concluding the 
purchase contract, as relevant   
3.2 batch: bottled water that is processed during  a specified period of production in a single bottling plant  
3.3 bottle: a container that is made of glass, a plastic mat erial, or tin plate or other suitable material, and 
that (in each case) is capable of being sealed with a closure  
3.4 carbonated (sparkling) water: water that, after treatment in accordance with 4.1, has been made 
effervescent by the addition of carbon dioxide   
3.5 defective : a bottle or its contents that does not comply in one or more respects with the relevant 
requirements of the standard  
3.6 lot: product of the same description and from the same batch, in bottles of the same size and type, 
from the same manufacturer , and submitted at anyone time for inspection and testing  
3.7 non-carbonated (still) water: water that, after treatment in accordance with 4.1, does not contain free 
carbon dioxide in excess of the amount necessary to keep dissolved the hydrogen carbonate salt s that are 
present in the water  
3.8 product: bottled water that complies with the requirements given in this standard and shall not contain 
sugars, sweeteners, flavourants, or other foodstuffs  
4 Requirements for the finished product  
4.1 Permissible treatments  
The fo llowing treatments are permitted:  
a) separation from unstable constituents, such as compounds containing iron, manganese, sulphur or 
arsenic, by decantation or by filtration (or by both), accelerated, if necessary, by previous aeration;  
b) the removal of carbon  dioxide from the water, and the addition of carbon dioxide to the water, either direct, 
or after an initial removal stage;  
c) filtration, using a filter of 0.45 µm or less;  
d) ultraviolet light treatment;  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
3 NOTE  Care should be taken in the selection of an ultraviolet light source, to ensure that the light source is effective 
in killing the bacteria. If the bacteria are only damaged, the water might initially test sterile, but the damaged bacteria m ight, 
after a period, repair its cell structure.  
e) ozonation;  
f) pasteurization;  
g) any safe and appropriate chemical, physical and antimicrobial treatments are permitted. These treatments 
can be used singly or in combination as multiple barriers; or  
h) any combination of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) above.  
4.2 Microbiolo gical requirements  
When tested, at the frequencies stated in column 3 of Table 1, in accordance with the methods given in column 
4 of Table 1 against determinants in column 1 of Table 1, the product in its bottled state shall not contain 
amounts greater th an the limits given in column 2 of Table 1.  
Table  1 — Microbiological determinants’ requirements  
a) Determinant  Acceptable limit  Frequency of testing  Test method  
Total coliform s 
 Absent in 100 ml  Initially then weekly  BOS ISO 9308 -1 or 
 BOS ISO 9308 -2 
Faecal coliform s (including 
Escherichia coli ) Absent in 100 ml  Initially then weekly  BOS ISO 9308 -1 or  
BOS ISO 9308 -2 
Total viable colony a 100 per 1 ml 
(maximum)  Initially then weekly  ISO 8199  
Enterococcus  Absent in 100 ml  Initially then weekly  ISO 7899 -2 
Moulds  Absent in 100 ml  Initially then weekly  ISO 8199  
Pseudomonas aeruginosa  Absent in 100 ml  Initially then monthly  BOS ISO 16266  
Clostridium spores  Absent in 100 ml  Initially then monthly  BOS ISO 6461 -1 or 
BOS ISO 6461 -2  
Cryptosporidium and 
Giardia  (oo)cysts  
 Absent in 10 
litres  
 During rainy season or when 
there is an outbreak of water 
borne diseases  BOS ISO 15553  
a Total viable colony shall be tested at 22 °C and 37 °C within 24 h after bottling with the water being maintained at 4 °C 
± 3 °C during this period  
 
4.3 Contaminants  
When tested, at the frequencies stated in column 4 of Table 2, in accordance with the methods given in column 
5 of Table 2, the product in its bottled state shall not contain amounts greater than the limits given in column 3 
of Table 2.  
Table  2 — Contaminants  
Contaminant  Risk category  Acceptable limit  Frequency of 
testing  Test method  
Phenolic compounds  health  <5 µg/ ℓ Initially then every 
six months  ISO 6439  
 
 BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
4 Table 2 continued  
Contaminant  Risk category  Acceptable limit  Frequency of 
testing  Test method  
Organochlorine 
pesticides and 
PCB’s  health  Not detectable a Initially then every 
six months  APHA method 
6630 B  
Organophosphate 
pesticides  health  Not detectable a Initially then every 
six months  AOAC method 
991.07  
Cyanide  health  Not more than 0.07 mg/ ℓ, 
calculated as CN  Initially then every 
six months  ISO 6703 -1 
Nitrite  health  Not more than 0.01 mg/  
ℓ, calculated as N  
 Initially then every 
six months  BOS ISO 10304 -1 
NOTE  Test methods that deliver equal or better results may be substituted for those listed in column 5.  
a  Not detectable by the method specified  
 
4.4 Physical and chemical requirements  
When tested in accordance with the methods given in Annex B, the product, in its bottled state, shall not 
contain amounts greater than the limits given in column 3 for the determinants specified in column 1 of Table 
3 in the frequencies specified in column 4.  
Table  3 — Physical and macro chemical determinants' requirements  
Determinant  Risk category  Limits (maximum)  Frequency of testing  
Odour  aesthetic  ˂ 5 TON  Daily  
pH health  5.5 to 9.5 for still water  
4.0 to 9.5 for carbonated 
water  Daily  
Colour  aesthetic  15 TCU  Daily  
Taste  aesthetic  ˂ 5 FTN  Daily  
Turbidity  aesthetic / operational  0.5 NTU  Daily  
Electrical conductivity  aesthetic  700 µS/cm  Daily  
Total dissolved solids  aesthetic  450 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Calcium as Ca  aesthetic / operational  80 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Chloride as CI  aesthetic  100 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Magnesium as Mg  aesthetic / health  30 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Potassium as K  operational / health  25 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Sodium as Na  aesthetic / health  100 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Sulfate as SO 4 health  200 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
 
Table  4 — Chemical requirements: micro determinants  
Determinant  Risk category  Limits (maximum)  Frequency of testing  
Aluminium as Al  health  0.10 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Antimony as Sb  health  0.005 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
 
Table 4 continued  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
5 Determinant  Risk category  Limits (maximum)  Frequency of testing  
Arsenic as As  health  0.01 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Barium as Ba health  1.0 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Borate as total Boron  health  5 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Cadmium as Cd  health  0.003 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Chromium as Cr  health  0.05 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Copper as Cu  health  1.0 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Fluoride as F  health  0.7 mg/ ℓ  Initially then quarterly  
Iron as Fe  aesthetic /operational  0.03 mg/ ℓ  Initially then quarterly  
Lead as Pb  health  0.01 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Manganese as Mn  aesthetic  0.05 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Molybdenum as Mo  health  0,07 mg/ ℓ initially and annually  
Mercury as Hg  health  0.001 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Nickel as Ni  health  0.02 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Nitrate as NO 3 health  50 mg/ ℓ a Initially then quarterly  
Selenium as Se  health  0.01 mg/ ℓ Initially then quarterly  
Sulfide as H 2S  health  0,1 mg/ℓ  initially and quarterly  
Surface active agents  health  Below limit of  
quantification  initially and quarterly  
Zinc as Zn  health  3.0 mg/ ℓ 
5.0 mg/ℓ  Initially then quarterly  
initially and annually  
Organic matter calculated as O 2 
absorbed  health  3.0 mg/ ℓ  Initially then quarterly  
a  50 mg/ℓ as NO 3 converts to 11 mg/ ℓ as N.  
 
4.5 General requirements  
4.5.1  Hygiene  
The product covered by the provisions of this standard shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable 
clauses of the BOS 306 and BOS 686.  
4.5.2  Taste and odour  
The product shall have acceptable taste and a non-objectionable  odour. The taste of the product s hall be in 
accordance with any claim made or implied.  
4.5.3  Net volume of the product  
The net volume of the product shall comply with the regulations framed under the Weights and Measures Act 
Chapter 43:06.  
4.5.4  Freedom from defects  
The product shall comply with the test for turbidity under normal conditions of storage. Dust, fibre particles, 
surface film or scum, sediment and other foreign matter shall not be present.  
4.5.5  Carbonation  
The carbon dioxide used shall be of acceptable food grade (> 99.9 % purity).  
4.5.6  Shelf life 
The composition and preparation of the product shall ensure a shelf life of 1 year under the storage conditions 
recommended by the manufacturer.  
5 Sampling of the finished product  
The sampling plan given in Annex A shall be followed.  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
6 6 Packaging and label ling of bottles  
6.1 Packaging  
The bottled product shall be packaged in sealed retail containers that will prevent possible adulteration or 
contamination of the water.  
6.2 Labelling  
6.2.1  General  
The bottled water shall be labelled as per the requirements of the relevant  requirements of the Food Control 
Act Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 83 of 2002). (Act 11 of 1993) and Labelling of Pre -packaged Foods 
Regulations (Chapter 65.05).  
Applied labels on bottles shall  
a) be clean, neat and securely attached,  
b) not be super -imposed on other labels or on printed matter printed direct on the bottles,  
c) not be applied by any person other than the manufacturer or the authorized agent, and  
d) have the producing factory or name of manufacturer of the bottled water.  
6.2.2  Specific composition  
The composition of the product shall be declared in advertising and on the label. The concentration of the 
following constituents, in units of  milligrams per litre (mg/ ℓ), shall be included in the declaration:  
Calcium ……………………………………………………….  as Ca  
Magnesium …………………………………………………….as Mg  
Sodium………………………………………………………….as Na  
Potassium………………………………………………………as K  
Chloride…………………………………………………………as CI  
Sulfate…………………………………………………………..as S O4  
Total alkalinity………………………………………………….as CaCO 3  
Nitrate…………………………………………………………..as NO 3  
Fluoride…………………………………………………………as F  
In addition, the amount of total dissolved solids shall be declared in milligrams per litre (mg/ ℓ), and the pH 
value shall be declared in pH units.  
6.2.3  Carbonation  
The label shall state whether the product is non -carbonated (‘still’) or carbonated (‘sparkling’).  
6.2.4  Net contents  
The net contents shall be declared by volume in the metric system (SI units).  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
7 6.2.5  Name and address  
The location of the source, name of the source and the name, phys ical address and the telephone number of 
the manufacturer shall be declared.  
6.2.6  Lot identification  
Each bottle shall be embossed or otherwise permanently marked, in code or otherwise, to identify the following:  
a) lot or bottling time;  
b) date of manufacture; and  
c) expiry date or best before or sell by or use by.  
The use of a lot code is permissible only if the key to the code is disclosed to the authority administering this 
standard.  
6.2.7  Additional labelling requirements  
If the product has been subjected to a treatment in accordance with 4.1, the treatment shall be declared on 
the label.  
6.2.8  Labelling prohibitions  
6.2.8.1  No claims concerning medicinal (preventative, alleviative or curative) or other beneficial effects 
relating to the health of the consumer shall be made in respect of the properties of the product covered by 
this standard.  
6.2.8.2  The use of any statement or of any pictorial device which might create confusion in the mind of the 
public or in any way mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition and propert ies of the product 
put on sale is prohibited.  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
8 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Sampling and compliance with the standard  
 
A.1 Sampling of the finished product  
A.1.1  General  
The sampling procedure shall be applied to determine whether a lot, submitted for inspection and testing, 
complies with the requirements of the standard. The samples taken shall be deemed to represent the lot.  
A.1.2  Sample for physical examination and for the inspection of containers  
Table  A.1 — Sampling plan  
Lot size, containers  
 
 
(number of containers)  Sample size for 
physical examination  
 
(number of containers)  Sample volume for 
chemical analysis  
 
(litres)  Sample size for micro -
biological examination  
 
(number of containers)a 
0 – 5 000  3 3 3 
5 000 – 12 500  6 3 3 
12 501 – 25 000  9 3 3 
25 001 – 50 000  16 3 3 
50 001 upwards  30 3 3 
 
NOTE  For examination for parasites, 10 litres  of product is required  
a Minimum volume of each container to be 500 ml.  
 
A.1.3  Sample for chemical analysis  
After inspection for compliance with 6.1 and 6.2, from the lot, take at random the number of containers that will 
deliver the volume given in column 3 of Table A.1.  
A.1.4  Sample for m icrobiological examination  
After inspection for compliance with 6.1 and 6.2, from the lot, take at random one container at the beginning 
of the bottling cycle, one container in the middle of the cycle and one container at the end of the cycle.  
A.2 Compliance w ith the standard  
The lot shall be deemed to comply with the relevant requirements of the standard if, after inspection and testing 
of the samples taken in accordance with A.1.2 to A.1.4 inclusive, no defect is found.  BOS 143:2023  
Edition 4.0 
 
© BOBS [2023] – All rights reserved  
9 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Recommended  test methods for use in testing  
B.1 General  
The following test methods listed in Table B.1 are recommended for use in testing, since they can offer the 
required accuracy.  
Table  B.1 — Recommended test methods for use in testing  
Determinant  Test method  
Aluminium  
Alkalinity  
Arsenic  
Cadmium  
Calcium  
Chloride  
Chromium  
Cobalt  
Colour  
Copper  
Dissolved solids  
Electrical conductivity  
Fluoride  
Magnesium  
Manganese  
Mercury  
Nickel  
Nitrate  
Nitrite  
Organic matter  
pH value  
Potassium  
Selenium  
Sodium  
Sulphate  
Taste  
Turbidity  
Zinc BOS ISO 12020  
BOS ISO 1657  
BOS ISO 11969  
BOS ISO 5961 / BOS ISO 8288  
BOS ISO 7980  
BOS ISO 10304 -1 
BOS  ISO 9174  
BOS ISO 8288  
BOS 38  
BOS ISO 8288  
BOS 125  
BOS ISO 7888  
BOS ISO 10304 -1 
BOS ISO 7980  
BOS 123 / BOS 124  
BOS ISO 5666  
BOS ISO 8288  
BOS ISO 10304 -1 
BOS ISO 10304 -1 
SANS 5220  
BOS ISO 10523  
BOS ISO 9964 -3 
BOS ISO 9965  
BOS ISO 9964 -3 
BOS ISO 10304 -1 
SM 2160 B a) 
BOS 39  
BOS ISO 8288  
a) Standard methods for examination of water and waste water , American Public Health Association, American Water 
Books Association and Water Environment Federation, Washington DC, 21st ed, 2005.