More than 90 percent of the bottled water consumed in the U.S. is of this type. Consumed as a refreshment beverage, in place of soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, sparkling water is water carbonated with carbon dioxide. Bottled drinking water varies in composition and flavor depending on the source of the water and processing method used. Labels may or may not disclose the source of the water and descriptive terms that appear on bottled water labels may or may not have legal definitions. However, if the manufacturer lists the source, it must be able to defend the source.
Bottled water is regulated at the federal and state level.
Bottled water is subject to the requirements of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and, if it is sold as a consumer commodity, is subject to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Fluoride may be optionally added within limitations under the bottled water quality standard. Artesian water may be collected with the assistance of external force to enhance the natural underground pressure. Ground water is water from a subsurface saturated zone that is under a pressure equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure. No minerals may be added to this water.