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-.03 - Sampling

(1) The plant operator shall be responsible for sampling and analysis of all approved sources for the contaminants specified in Rule 40-7-6-.02 to assure that product water derived from approved sources continues to comply with said Rule. Such monitoring shall be at least annually, except that analysis for microbiological contaminants shall be weekly if the source is other than a public water system.

(2) In lieu of source monitoring required by this section, a plant operator using a public water system as its source may obtain and display a certificate from said system demonstrating that the public water system conducts the monitoring required by this section.

(3) Where a bottled water plant operator, water dealer or regulatory agency knows or has reason to believe that a contaminant not otherwise monitored is present in the source water because of a spill, release of hazardous substance or otherwise, and its presence would create a potential health hazard to consumers, the plant operator or water dealer upon receipt of such information shall monitor the source water for said contaminant as often as prescribed by the Commissioner. Such costs of monitoring shall be borne by the plant operator.

(4) Detection of contaminant(s) in source monitoring required pursuant to this section shall be followed immediately by a program of periodic monitoring to confirm the presence in the source water of said contaminant(s). If such listed contaminant(s) is confirmed to be present in the source water at a concentration that exceeds a published U.S. EPA Health Advisory, or a U.S. FDA or Georgia Department of Agriculture Action Level for drinking water, the plant operator or water dealer shall employ appropriate treatment techniques to remove or to reduce said contaminant in the product water below said concentration and shall employ a program of periodic monitoring for said contaminant in the source water until such time as said contaminant is not detectable in the source water. Such monitoring costs shall be borne by the plant operator.

(5) The required source water sampling shall be performed by qualified personnel and required analysis shall be performed by an approved laboratory. Records of the required sampling and analyses shall be maintained on file at the plant for not less than four years and shall be available for official review upon request of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

(6) To assure that bottled water complies with this section, the following product monitoring using representative samples derived from the bottled product shall be performed:

(7) The required product water sampling shall be performed by qualified personnel and required analysis shall be performed by an approved laboratory. Such costs of sampling shall be borne by the plant operator.

(8) Records of required sampling and analysis shall be maintained at the plant not less than four years and shall be available for official review upon request of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.