UGANDA STANDARD  US 42
Second Edition
2008 -09-08
 
 
Reference numbe  
r
US 42: 2008
 © UNBS 2008 
  
Packaged water other than natural mineral water ─ 
Specification 
 US 42: 2008 
ii © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations 
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2008  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise sp ecified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, in cluding photocopying and microf ilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala  
Uganda 
Tel: 256 414 505 995 
Fax: 256 414 286 123 
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  US 42: 2008 
©  UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved iii
  Contents Page 
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................iv  
1 Scope.......................................................................................................................... ............................1  
2 Normative Re ferences........................................................................................................... ................1  
3 Terms and de finiti ons .......................................................................................................... .................2  
4 Requirements for the untreated water and water sources used as the ba se for the product.......4  
4.1 Approval of the so urce .........................................................................................................................4  
4.2 Water used as the b ase for the product......................................................................................... .....4 
5 Handling and treatm ent of water ................................................................................................ .........4  
5.1 Water colle ction.....................................................................................................................................4  
5.2 Transportation of waters ....................................................................................................... ...............5  
5.3 Water trea tment ................................................................................................................ .....................5  
6 Essential composition and qualit y of the finished product..............................................................6  
6.1 Freedom from  defects........................................................................................................... ................6  
6.2 Sensory a ttributes............................................................................................................. ....................6  
6.3 Physical and chemical characteristics.......................................................................................... ......6  
6.4 Carbonation (and the addition of other gases) .................................................................................. 7 
6.5 Net volume of the pr oduct...................................................................................................... ..............7  
6.6 Microbiological requirements ................................................................................................... ...........7  
7 Water safety  plans............................................................................................................. ....................8  
8 Packaging...................................................................................................................... .........................9  
9 Labelling...................................................................................................................... ...........................9  
9.1 General ........................................................................................................................ ...........................9  
9.2 The name of the product ........................................................................................................ ..............9  
9.3 Additional labelli ng requirements .............................................................................................. .......10  
9.4 Labelling pr ohibiti ons......................................................................................................... ................10  
9.5 Optional la belling ............................................................................................................. ...................10  
10 Sampling ....................................................................................................................... .......................11  
10.1 General requ irements ........................................................................................................... ..............11  
10.2 Scale of sampling.............................................................................................................. ..................11  
11 Methods of  test................................................................................................................ ....................12  
11.1 General ........................................................................................................................ .........................12  
11.2 Expression of  results.......................................................................................................... ................12  
Annex A (normative)  Protection of alimentary reservoirs and aquifers for packaged water..................13  
Annex B (normative)  R ecommended test  methods.................................................................................. ...14 
Bibliography................................................................................................................... ...................................15  
 US 42: 2008 
iv © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
                                                      Foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry  of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co-ordinate the 
elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex A limentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agre ements of the World Tr ade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and  consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufactur ers, government and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committ ee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda St andards by the National Standards Council. 
The competent authority mentioned in 4.1 is t he Directorate of Water Development (DWD).  
This standards US 42 was first declared a national standa rd in 1999. It is now being technically revised.  
This standard has been prepared to guide manufac turers, importers and consumers on the quality 
requirements for packaged waters other than natural mineral waters. 
Committee membership1
The following organisations were represented on the Technical Committee TC 2 on Agricultural and Food 
Products during the preparation of this standard: 
- Britania Foods (U) Ltd. 
- Dairy Corporation 
- Department of Food science and Technology Makerere University 
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Makerere University 
- Directorate of Water  Development 
- Food Science and Research Institute/National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO) 
- Government Chemist 
- Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry 
- NC Beverages Ltd. 
- National Water and Sewerage Corporation 
- Rwenzori Beverages 
- Seven Falls Mineral Water  
- UMA Industries Ltd.  
- Uganda Consumer Protection Association 
- Uganda Klere Industries 
 
 
1 Includes members who were responsible for the development of the first edition of 1999 UGANDA STANDARD US 42: 2008
 
©  U N B S  2 0 0 8  –  A l l  r i g h t s  r e s e r v e d                 1  
 Packaged water other than natural mineral water ─ 
Specification 
1 Scope  
This Uganda Standard specifies requirements for packaged wa ter offered as non-carbonated (still) water or as 
carbonated (sparkling) water, with or without added minerals or other permitted additives.  
This standard does not apply to non packaged drinking wa ter, natural mineral waters or other soft drinks for 
which other standards apply. 
2 Normative References 
The following referenced documents are indispensabl e for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
US 7, General standards for the labelling of pre-packaged foods 
US 28, Code of practice for hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industries 
US 43, Packaged natural mineral waters ─ Specification 
US 45, General standard for food additives   
US 201, Drinking (potable) water ─ Specification 
US 500, General requirements for nutrition labelling 
US 508, General requirements for nutrition and health claims  
US 566, Use of nutrition terms ─ Requirements 
US ISO 6222 , Water quality — Enumeration of culturable micro-organisms — Colony count by inoculation in a 
nutrient agar culture medium 
US/ISO 6332,  Water quality - Determination of iron - Spectrometric method using 1,10-phenanthroline 
US ISO 6058, Water quality — Determination of calc ium content — EDTA titrimetric method 
US ISO 6059,  Water quality — Determination of the sum of calcium and magnesium — EDTA titrimetric 
method  
US ISO 7027, Water quality — Determination of turbidity US 42: 2008 
2 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 US ISO 7393-1 , Water quality — Determination of free chlorine and total chlorine — Part 1: Titrimetric method 
using N,N-diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine 
US ISO 7887, Water quality — Examination and determination of colour  
US ISO 7888 , Water quality — Determination of electrical conductivity 
US ISO 7980, Water quality — Determination of calcium and magnesium — Atomic absorption spectrometric 
method 
US ISO 8288, Water quality — Determination of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead — Flame 
atomic absorption spectrometric methods  
US ISO 9308-2, Water quality — Detection and enumeration of coliform organisms, thermotolerant coliform 
organisms and presumptive Escherichia coli — Part 2: Multiple tube (most probable number) method  
US ISO 9964-1, Water quality — Determination of sodium and potas sium — Part 1: Determination of sodium 
by atomic absorption spectrometry 
US ISO 10359-2,  Water quality — Determination of fluoride — Pa rt 2: Determination of inorganically bound 
total fluoride after digestion and distillation  
US ISO 10523 , Water quality — Determination of pH 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply. 
3.1 
batch 
quantity of packaged water that is processed during a specified period of production in a single packaging plant 
3.2 
package 
container that is made of glass, plastics material, tin plate or other suitable food grade material, and that (in 
each case) is capable of be ing sealed with a closure 
3.3 
lot 
quantity of packaged water of the same type belonging to the same batch of manufacture or packaged during 
the same production period  
3.4 
carbonated/ sparkling/fizzling water 
water that, after possible treatment , is  effe rvescent due to the presen ce of carbon dioxide  
3.5 
flavoured water 
water that has had flavouring added to the water to give a particular taste 
3.6 
non-carbonated/still water 
water that does not contain free carbon dioxide or other  gases in excess of the amount necessary to keep 
dissolved the hydrogen bicarbonate salt s that are present in the water US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  3
 3.7 
packaged water 
water that is filled into sealed containers 
3.8 
artesian/artesian well water 
water from a well tapping in a confined  aquifer in which the water level stands at some height above the top of 
the aquifer 
3.9 
glacial water 
water which is derived from a source originating from and collected within a watershed containing a glacier, 
and is not derived from a public water system  
3.10 
spring water 
water derived from an underground formation from whic h water flows naturally to the surface of the  earth  
3.11  
well water   
water from a hole bored, drilled, or otherwise constr ucted in the ground which taps the water of an aquifer 
3.12 
purified/demineralized water 
water which has been processed by distillation, deionizatio n, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process, and 
contains no added substance 
3.13 
reverse osmosis water 
water that has been processed by reverse osmosis 
3.14 
deionized water 
water that has been proc essed by deionization 
3.15 
sterile/sterilized water  
water that has been pr ocessed to meet the "Test for sterility"  
3.16 
distilled water 
water that has been proc essed by distillation 
3.17 
mineral water 
water that has minerals  
3.18 
approved water supply 
source of water that has been inspected and approved  by the competent authori ty for the intended purpose 
3.19 
water distribution system  
public or private water systems providing consumer with tap water suitable for direct consumption US 42: 2008 
4 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 3.20 
establishment 
building(s) area(s), or surroundings, in which water int ended for bottling is collected, processed, or bottled 
4 Requirements for the untreated water an d water sources used as the base for the 
product 
4.1 Approval of the source 
Water supply derived from a source other than a water di stribution system shall be approved by a competent 
authority basing upon a field  inspection of the source and the recharge zone to demonstrate the integrity of 
the source and safety of the catchment operations consistent with the requirements of this standard.  
4.2 Water used as the base for the product 
The water that is used as the base for the product s hall conform to the organoleptic, physical, chemical and 
biological requirements specified in US 201.  
The untreated water to be used in the final product sha ll be tested for the constituents and parameters in US 
201. 
The manufacturer shall determine the appropriate wate r treatment required (if any ) to achieve the required 
limits. 
Where the untreated water is received from a source of potable water (for example, from a municipal supply), 
the manufacturer may not perform the tests provided t he manufacturer is satisfied that its source can 
consistently deliver potable water.  
5 Handling and treatment of water 
5.1 Water collection  
5.1.1 Collection of ground waters 
The conditions in which ground waters such as Artesian, spring and well water are collected shall not expose 
the water to direct influence of the surface water or modify the physical properties, composition or quality of 
the water prior to the treatments.  
5.1.2 Collection of Artesian water 
Artesian water may be collected with the assistance of  external force to enhance the natural underground 
pressure as long as such measures do not alter the ph ysical properties, composition and quality of water.  
5.1.3 Collection of glacial water 
Glacial water shall be collected in such a way that it contains an amount of total dissolved solids, which does 
not significantly differ from that of the glacier.  US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  5
 5.1.4 Collection of spring water 
Spring water shall be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation 
feeding the spring. The location of the spring shall be i dentifiable and a natural force shall cause the water to 
flow to the surface.  
If spring water is collected with the use of an external fo rce, the spring water collected shall be from the same 
underground stratum as the spring as  shown by a measurable hydraulic connection using a hydro geologically 
valid method between the borehole and the natural spring , and shall have all the physical properties, before 
treatment, and be of the same composition and quality, as the water that flows natura lly to the surface of the 
earth. 
If spring water is collected with the use of an external force, water in the spring shall continue to flow naturally 
to the surface of the earth thro ugh the spring's natural orifice.  
Spring water packers shall demonstrate, on request, to  the competent authority, using a hydro geologically 
valid method that an appropriate hydraulic connection ex ists between the natural orif ice of the spring and the 
borehole.  
5.2 Transportation of waters 
Transportation of water from extraction or collection  points to packaging facilities shall be conducted in a way 
that does not have any significant adv erse effect on the safety and the characteristic composition of the 
transported water. 
To avoid microbial and chemical contamination, water ready for packaging shall be transported, stored or 
packaged in such a way that the safety and qu ality of the water shall not be affected. 
5.3 Water treatment 
5.3.1 Treatments for the waters defined by origin 
5.3.1.1  General 
Waters defined by origin shall not, prior to packaging, be modified or subjected to treatments other than those 
described in 5.3.2 with the provision that thes e modifications or treatments and the processes  used to achieve 
them do not change the essential physi cochemical characteristics nor compromise the chemical, radiological 
and microbiological safety of these waters when packaged. 
5.3.1.2  Types of treatment 
The following treatments may be used to modify the original composition of water defined by origin: 
a) reduction and/or elimination of dissolved gases (and resulting possible change in pH); 
b) addition of carbon dioxide (and resulting change in pH) or re-incorporation of the original carbon 
dioxide present at emergence; 
c) reduction and/or elimination of unstable constit uents such as iron, manganese, sulfur compounds and 
carbonates in excess, under normal conditions of  temperature and pressure, of the calco-carbonate 
equilibrium; 
d) addition of air, oxygen or ozone on condition that t he concentration of by-products resulting from the 
ozone treatment conforms to the requirements of this standard; US 42: 2008 
6 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 e) decrease and/or increa se in temperature; and 
f) reduction and/or separation of elements origina lly present in excess of the requirements of this 
standard. 
Antimicrobial treatments may be used singly or in comb ination solely in order to conserve the original 
microbiological fitness for human consumption, origin al purity and safety of waters defined by origin. 
5.3.3 Treatments for prepared waters 
5.3.3.1 General 
Prepared waters may be subjected to any micr obial treatments and any treatments that, singly  or in 
combination , modify the physical and chemical  characteristics of the origi nal water provided that such 
treatments result in prepared waters that c onform to the requirements of this standard. 
5.3.3.2 Addition of minerals and other additives 
Minerals and other additives may be added to prepared water before packaging in accordance with US 45. 
6 Essential composition and quality of the finished product 
6.1 Freedom from defects 
The product shall conform to the test for turbidity (U S 201) under normal conditions of storage. The product 
shall be free from dust, fibre particles, surface film  or scum, sediment, suspended matter or other foreign 
matter.  
6.2 Sensory attributes  
The product shall have a well-balanced, pleasant, characte ristic palatable flavour. Off-flavours and off-odours 
shall not be present. The flavour of the product shall be in accordance with any claim made or implied. 
6.3 Physical and chemical characteristics 
The colour of packaged water shall not exceed 15 true colour units. 
The product shall be tested for the parameters given in Table 1. The product shall conform to the physical and 
chemical parameter limits indicated in Table 1 with the exclusion of the requirements for pH value in the case 
of a carbonated product. 
Packaged water may contain safe and suitable anti -microbial agents. Fluoride may be added within the 
limitations indicated in Table 1. US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  7
 Table 1 — Requirements for factors affecting organoleptic and physical characteristics 
Characteristic Requirement levels, maximum and 
range Method of test 
Colour (apparent)  15 true colour units (TCU) US ISO 7887 
Taste  Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal 
changes - 
Odour Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal 
changes Annex B 
Electrical conductivity 1500 μS/cm US ISO 7888 
pH at 25 oC Non carbonated  6.5 to 8.5 
Carbonated  not applicable US ISO 10523 
Turbidity 1 Nephelometric Turbidity Units US ISO 7027
Total dissolved solids (TDS) 1 000 Annex B 
Sodium as Na, mg/L, max. 200 US ISO 9964-1 
Potassium as K, mg/L, max. 50 US ISO 9964-1 
Copper (as Cu), mg/L, max. 1.0 US ISO 8288 
Iron (as Fe), mg/L, max. 0.3 US ISO 6332
Calcium as Ca, mg/L, max. 
75 US ISO 6058 
US ISO 7980 
Magnesium as Mg, mg/L, max. 
30 US ISO 6059 
US ISO 7980 
Sulphate, mg/L, max. 300 US ISO 9280 
Chloride as Cl-, mg/L, max. 250 US ISO 7393-1
Fluoride, mg/L, max. 1.5 US ISO 10359-2 
 
6.4 Carbonation (and the addition of other gases) 
If carbonated, the packaged water shall be carbonated in accordance with the claimed product type stipulated 
on the label. Carbon dioxide and other gases  shall be of acceptable food grade. 
6.5 Net volume of the product 
The net volume of the product shall comply with the Weights and measures Act. 
6.6 Microbiological requirements 
The product shall conform to the micr obiological requirements in Table 2. US 42: 2008 
8 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 Table 2 ─ Microbiological requirements for packaged water 
Microorganism Requirementa) Method of test 
Total viable countb), cfu/mL 100 US/ISO 6222 
Total coliform bacteria countc), cfu/100 mL Not detected 
E. coli countc, cfu/100 mL Not detected US/ISO 9308-2 
a) Microbiological tests shall be carried out within 24 h of sampling, the samples having been kept at 4 oC ± 3 oC for the 
period prior to testing.  
b) The total viable colony count shall be determi ned within 24 h of filling or of packaging. 
c) In most instances it will not be necessary to conduct bot h these tests; one or the other will normally suffice as the 
required indicator. 
 
7 Water safety plans 
7.1 Drinking-water systems operators s hall develop, implement and maintain a water safety plan taking into 
consideration the potential risks to the safety of t he water from the supply catchments to the consumer. 
7.2 A water safety plan shall consist of three key components:  
a) system assessment to determ ine whether the drinking-water supply chain (up to the point of 
consumption) as a whole can deliver water of  a quality that meets health-based targets; 
b) identifying control measures in a drinking-water sy stem that will collectively control identified risks and 
ensure that the health-based targets are met; and 
c) management plans describing actions to be taken during normal operation or incident conditions and 
documenting the system assessment (incl uding upgrade and improvement), monitoring and 
communication plans and supporting programmes.  
7.3 A water safety plan shall include the following:  
a) measures to protect the source of drinking from risks of pollution; as minimum the measures indicated 
in Annex A shall be implemented. 
b) measures to ensure all installations intended fo r the production of drinking water exclude any 
possibility of contamination. For this purpose and in particular: 
• the installation for collection, the pipes and t he reservoirs shall be made from materials suited 
to the water and in such a way as to prevent t he introduction of foreign substances in water; 
and 
• the equipment and its use for production, especially installation for washing and packaging, 
shall meet hygienic requirements; 
c) measures to ensure an appropri ate treatment such as pretreatment coagulation, flocculation, 
sedimentation, filtration and disinfection are unde rtaken to assure the safety of water for the 
consumers; 
d) appropriate operational monitori ng system including monitoring parameters that can be measured and 
for which limits have been set to define the operational  effectiveness of the activity; frequency of US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  9
 monitoring and  procedures for corrective action that  can be implemented in response to deviation 
from limits. If, during production it is found that the water is polluted, the producer shall stop all 
operations until the cause of pollution is eliminated; and 
e) a verification plan to ensure that individual comp onents of a drinking-water system, and system as a 
whole is operating safely. 
8 Packaging  
The product shall be packaged in sealed retail container s suitable for preventing the possible adulteration or 
contamination of water. 
The quantity of packaged drinking water stored at the point  of bottling shall be as low as possible.  The storing 
shall furthermore guarantee protection against contamination or deterioration. 
The containers shall not contaminate or adulterate t he product. In addition, the containers shall not impart 
foreign flavours or foreign odours to the product. The c ontainers shall be delivered to the filling plant in sealed 
packaging. 
At the time of filling, all containers shall be clean and sound. Bottles shall be free from chips, cracks and other 
defects. Metal containers shall be free from corrosion and internal scratches and other lacquer imperfections. 
Closures shall be clean at the time of capping or sealing. Crown caps shall be fitted internally with a solid cork 
or composition cork disc or with an acceptable plastics disc. 
Containers to be used for the product shall not be used to store ingredients, raw materials or other products or 
preparations, and such containers shall not be used by workers for drinking purposes. 
All containers shall be sealed imm ediately after they have been filled. 
Unfilled and filled containers shall be inspected on a continuous basis, either by means of electronic 
equipment maintained in perfect working order, or by means of appropriately trained and supervised 
personnel. 
9 Labelling  
9.1 General 
The requirements of US 7, US 500, US 508 and US 566 shall apply in addition to the provisions in 9.2 and 
9.3.  
9.2 The name of the product  
The name of the product shall conform to the app ropriate terms and definitions in Clause 3. 
Water containing carbon dioxide that em erges from the source and is packa ged directly with its entrapped gas 
or from which the gas is mechanically separated and la ter reintroduced at a level not higher than naturally 
occurring in the water, may bear on its label the words “Naturally carbonated” or “Naturally sparkling”.  
Packaged water which contains carbon dioxide at levels hi gher than those naturally oc curring in the source of 
the product shall be labelled with the words “C arbonated”, ”Carbonation added”, or “Sparkling” .  US 42: 2008 
10 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 9.3 Additional labelling requirements  
9.3.1 Mineral content 
If the content of total dissolved substances of the water is below 500 mg/L, the statement "Low mineral 
content", or a similar term may appear on the principal  display panel following the statement of identity.  
If the content of total dissolved substances of the water is greater than 1500 mg/L, the statement "High 
mineral content", or a similar term may appear on t he principal display panel following the statement of 
identity.  
The composition of the product may be declared on the label.  If labelling indicates the amount of specific 
minerals present in the product, the label shall describe the amount in mg/L 
9.3.2 Additives 
Any additives such as flavour, used in the water shall be declared on the label as list of ingredients.  
9.3.3 Fluoride content 
Packaged water containing added fluoride shall be labelled "Fluoridated water". Any water that is called 
fluoridated water shall contain not less than 0.8 mg/L fluor ide ion. The product shall not contain more than 1.5 
mg/L of fluoride.  
9.3.4 Geographic location 
The geographic location may be indicated on the label for artesian, spring or well water.  
9.3.5 Water from water distribution system 
When drinking water is supplied by a public or priv ate tap water distribution system, the wording "From a 
public or private distribution system" shall appear along wi th the name of the product on the front of the main 
label.  
9.4 Labelling prohibitions   
No claims concerning medicinal (preventive, alleviative or  curative) or other beneficial effects relating to the 
health of the consumer shall be made in respect of the compositional properties of the product covered by the 
standard. 
The way in which labels on the packaged water are pres ented shall not cause confusion with other categories 
of water, particularly natural mineral water, as defined in US 43. 
The use of any statement or of any pictorial device whic h may create confusion in the mind of the public or in 
any way mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition and properties of packaged drinking water 
put on sale is prohibited. 
9.5 Optional labelling 
The following terms, descriptive of the particular properties of the product, may appear on the label as part of, or 
in close proximity to, the na me of the product or in an otherwise prominent position, provided that conditions 
specified are adhered to: 
• "Alkaline", where the product c ontains more than 600 mg/L CHO 3; US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  11
 • "Acidulous", where the product contains more than 250 mg/L free carbon dioxide; 
• "Saline", where the product contains more than 1000 mg/L NaCl; 
• "Contains Fluorine", where the product contains more than 1 mg/L F; 
• "Contains Iodine", where the product contains more than 1 mg/L I; and 
• "May be Diuretic", where the product contains more than 1 000 mg/L total dissolved solids or 600 
mg/L HCO 3 
Nutritional or health claims shall conform to US 508. 
The following are also examples of optional labelling: 
(a) trade name; 
(b) date of the authorisation to commence collection and production; and 
(c) results of analysis of the wate r whether it emerges at the sour ce, including a statement of any 
treatment, or of the results of analys is of the water in the container. 
10 Sampling  
10.1 General requirements 
In drawing, preparing, storing and handling samples, the following precautions and directions shall be 
observed as much as possible: 
(a) the sample shall be drawn in original sealed bottle/container and kept in a protected place not 
exposed to damp air, dust or soot; and 
(b) each bottle/container in original shall be s ealed and marked with full details of sampling. 
10.2 Scale of sampling 
10.2.1  For ascertaining the conformity of the material to the requirements of  the specification, samples shall 
be tested from each lot separately. 
10.2.2  The number of bottles to be selected from a lot shall depend on the size of the lot and shall be 
according to Table 3. 
Table 3 — Sampling plan for containers/bottles 
No. of containers (bottles) in the lot Sample size  
Up to 5000  3 
5001 to 10000 5 
10001 to 15000 7 
15001 and above 9 US 42: 2008 
12 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 11 Methods of test  
11.1 General 
In addition to the test methods given in Table 1, Tabl e 2 and the methods prescribed in Annex B, any method 
that can offer the required accuracy, at the limit prescribed in the standard may be used. 
When the determinant is a metal, the method used shall determine the total metal present. 
11.2 Expression of results 
In view of the importance of uniformity in the meth ods of expressing the result s of physical, chemical and 
bacteriological examination of water, it is recommended that the results should be expressed as described 
below. 
a) The results of chemical analysis, in general, shoul d be expressed in milligrammes per litre, since this 
method of expression is well-known and widely used, except for organic constituents of health interest 
which are expressed as microgrammes per litre.  Fu rthermore, the units as given in the relevant 
tables or clauses shall be used in expressing the results of test for other parameters. 
b) Wherever possible, chemical components should be expressed in terms of ions; volumes should be 
expressed in millilitres (mL), and temperature should be measured in degrees Celsius (°C).  In 
bacteriological examinations, the total number of microorganisms developing on solid media should 
be expressed as colonies counted per 100 mL of water, the medium, the duration and the 
temperature of incubation being stat ed.  Estimates of the number of coliform organisms, faecal 
coliforms, and other organisms indicative of pollu tion should be given in terms of most probable 
number (MPN) per 100 mL, when counted by a multiple-t ube method, or as colonies per examination, 
radioactivity should be expressed in pico curies per litre (pCi/L or Bq/L).   
 
 
 US 42: 2008 
© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  13
 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Protection of alimentary reservoirs and aquifers for packaged water 
A.1 Authorisation 
Any spring, well or drilling intended for the collection of packaged drinking water, shall be approved by the 
Directorate of Water Development.  
A.2 Determination of the genesi s of packaged drinking water  
As far as it is methodologically possible in each case, a precise analysis shall be carried out on the origin of 
bottled/packaged drinking water, the period of its re sidence in the ground before being collected and its 
chemical and physical qualities. 
A.3 Perimeter of protection 
If possible areas wherein packaged drinking water be pollu ted or its chemical and physical qualities otherwise 
deteriorated shall be determined by a hydrologist.  Where indicated by hydro-geological conditions and 
considering the risks of pollution and physical, chemical  and biochemical reactions, several perimeters with 
separate dimensions may be provided for. 
A.4 Protective measures 
All possible precautions shall be taken within the protected perimeters to avoid any pollution, of or external 
influence on, the chemical and physical qualities of packaged drinking water. US 42: 2008 
14 © UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved
 Annex B 
(normative) 
 
Recommended test methods 
B.1 General 
The test methods listed in Tables 1 - 7 are recommended 
B.2 ASTM standard test methods 
All the determinants for which the requirements are list ed in Tables 1-7 may be evaluated with the required 
accuracy, using ASTM  test methods (see bibliography). 
B.3 APHA-AWWA-WPCF test methods 
All the determinants for which the requirements are list ed in Tables 1 - 7 may be evaluated with the required 
accuracy, using the test methods given in the latest edition of Standard methods for the examination of water 
and wastewater  (see bibliography). 
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© UNBS 2008 – All rights reserved  15
 Bibliography 
[1] Annual book of ASTM standards 2003 – Section 11:  Water and Environmental Technology – Volume 
11.01: Water  (I). 
[2] Annual book of ASTM standards 2003 – Section 11: Water and Environmental Technology – Volume 
11.02: Water (II). 
[3] Standards methods for the exami nation of water and wastewater.  17th Ed., 1989, Washington, DC: 
American Public Health Association (APHA), Am erican Water Works Association (AWWA), Water 
Pollution Control Federation (WPCF). 
[4] Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality [electronic resource]: incorporating first addendum. Vol. 1, 
Recommendations. – 3rd ed., 2006, World Health Organization  
 
[5] SANS 241:2001, Drinking Water ─ Specification . South African Bureau of Standard 
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