Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Chapter 40-7 - FOOD DIVISION REGULATIONS
Subject 40-7-6 - ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED WATER AND WATER VENDING MACHINES
Rule 40-7-6-.01 - Definitions

(1) "Approved Laboratory" A Laboratory approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, or certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (U.S. EPA).

(2) "Approved Source" When used in reference to a bottled water plant's product water or water used in the plant's operations, means the source of the water whether it be from a spring, artesian well, drilled well, public or community water system or any other source that has been inspected and the water sampled, analyzed, and found to be of a safe and sanitary quality. The presence in the plant of a current certificate or notification of approval from U.S. EPA or the Commissioner shall constitute approval of the source.

(3) "Artesian Water" means bottled water from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands above the water table. "Artesian Water" shall meet the requirements of "Natural Water."

(4) "Bottled Water" means water that is placed in a sealed container or package and is offered for sale for human consumption or other consumer uses.

(5) "Bottled Water Plant" means any place or establishment in which bottled water is prepared for sale.

(6) "Distilled Water" means bottled water which has been produced by a process of distillation and meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia.

(7) "Drinking Water" means bottled water obtained from an approved source that has at minimum undergone treatment consisting of filtration activated carbon or particulate and ozonation or an equivalent disinfection process.

(8) "Fluoridated Water" means bottled water containing fluoride. The label shall specify whether the fluoride is naturally occurring or added. Any water which meets the definition of this paragraph shall contain not less than 0.8 milligrams per liter fluoride ion and otherwise comply with the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") quality standards in Part 165.110(b)(4)(ii) of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("C.F.R.").

(9) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

(10) "Mineral Water" means bottled water that containing not less than 250 parts per million Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) coming from a source tapped at one or more bore holes or springs, originating from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. Mineral water shall be distinguished from other types of water by its constant level and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source, due account being taken of the cycles of natural fluctuations. No minerals may be added to this water. "Natural Mineral Water" shall meet the requirements of "Natural Water".

(11) "Natural Water" means bottled spring, mineral, artesian, or well water which is derived from an underground formation, which is not altered, and is not derived from a municipal system or public water supply.

(12) "Plant Operator" means any entity who owns or operates a bottled water plant.

(13) "Purified Water" means bottled water produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process and that meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia. Water which meets the definition of this paragraph and is vaporized, then condensed, may be labeled "distilled water".

(14) "Spring Water" means water which is:

(15) "Water Dealer" means any person who imports bottled water or causes bulk water to be transported for bottling for human consumption or other consumer uses.

(16) "Well Water" means water from a hole bored, drilled, or otherwise constructed in the ground which taps water of an underground foundation. "Well Water" shall meet the requirements of "Natural Water".

(17) "Safe Drinking Water Act" shall mean Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Law 93-523.

(18) "Vending Machine" means any self-service device which, upon insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card or key dispenses unit servings of food, either in bulk or in packages without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation. It shall also include self-service dispensers equipped for coin, paper currency, token, card or key operation and optional manual operation. Unless otherwise stated, vending machine includes controlled location vending machines.

(19) "Water Vending Machine" means a water-connected vending machine designed to dispense drinking water, purified and/or other water based products. Such machine shall be designed to reduce or remove turbidity, off tastes and odors and to provide disinfection treatment. Processes for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reduction or removal may also be used.