It’s natural, isn’t it?
Shit happens (and I hate to gloat), but I can’t resist pointing out that the FDA has given a stern warning to the Sweet Sommer Spring Water Company for violating Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water regulations. This particular water is bottled in Sweet Springs, West Virginia, an area described on the company’s website as “a natural oasis to abundant wildlife and fauna.” The violations? Dead mice, live salamanders, a live frog, apparent rodent droppings and rodent nests in the waters of the spring or near/inside the housing surrounding the spring. In a January 19 letter, the agency wrote, “These violations cause the bottled water produced in your facility to be adulterated … in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health.” The violations were documented during inspections on September 15, 16, 18 and 22 of 2009. My question: what happened to the water bottled during that period of violation? (Or even before? Underfunded and understaffed, the FDA doesn’t inspect bottled-water plants more than once a year, if that.)
I’m not generally squeamish about live animals, but the dead mice and droppings give me pause. Of course, my tap water comes from a watershed in which many animals make their living (and die), but my water is inspected more frequently than bottled water, it’s chlorinated to deactivate bacteria, and my utility is required to let me know when regulations have been violated. Not so with bottled water…
Elizabeth Royte is the author of 
3 comments
Ms. Royte,
I can answer some of your questions. As to what happened to the water bottled during that time – there was no water bottled. The plant was on furlough for the two weeks prior to the FDA inspection which is why the springs were not in pristine condition. During bottling the springs are inspected and tested weekly and if there is any abnormalities water is not bottled until the water tests negative. At no time as the water bottled at SweetSommer ever tested positive for any contaminents. This is due to the stringent filtration methods that the water undergoes. But that does not go into the published report. The FDA themselves conduct stringent tests on the water and found the water to be in compliance. I thought you might like to know that like your utility water, bottled water also undergoes stringent testing before being released to the public.
Considering NYC water supply is certainly not infinite, might one inquire how to report the following to an agency that will stop waste:
A tenant at 11222 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Nr.5, Queens 11694 runs the open tap from 3:00pm through 11:00pm (8 hours) DAILY. Reported to bldg. management is to no avail.
Advice or passing information to appropriate agencies is appreciated. A necessary resource is being wasted.
Apparently the tenant believes that water is recycled after treatment?
The Department of Environmental Protection, in charge of clean water coming into the city and dirty water going out, wants you to report leaks and waste by dialing 311.
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