Normally, producers of bottled waters have to comply with several federal and state regulations. These are based on standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar agencies. But not all manufacturers follow these rules and some products like mineral water which comes mainly from Europe, are not covered by such regulations.

For instance, in the early 1970s, an EPA survey showed that 25 bottled water plants in the United States had sanitary deficiencies and samples of their products were contaminated with lead and fecal bacteria.

In 1985, a report prepared by the California legislature revealed that bottlers sometimes kept fake or inadequate records of water test results, failed to monitor their water source, and doctored water samples to hide contamination.

In another case, potential carcinogens were found in some brands of carbonated water by Consumer Reports.

"People buy bottled water primarily to protect their health. Unfortunately, many of the same contaminants found in drinking water also show up in bottled water. Heavy metals, solvents, trihalomethanes, and even traces of radioactive materials have been found. So switching to bottled water can offer little more than a change of poisons if caution isn't used," according to Steve Coffel in "But Not A Drop to Drink! The Lifesaving Guide to Good Water."

Some advertisements for bottled waters are fraudulent. Mineral water has long been touted as therapeutic but the health claims are unproven and federal regulations do not permit them. Neither is it true that some brands of bottled water are better absorbed by the body than others, making them an ideal drink after exercising.

"That's 'hokum,' to use the word of an official of the US FDA to whom we read the claim. Any water does a fine job of rehydrating the body after exercise," said the editors of Consumer Reports.

"Although bottled waters have been touted for years as healthy, even therapeutic, all bottled waters are not necessarily good for you. Too many minerals in water can be a health hazard because they may disrupt your body's balance of essential mineral nutrients. Some waters may have high levels of sodium, a potential hazard for persons with heart disease or high blood pressure. Heavy carbonation can be a problem for persons with hiatus hernia and other digestive disorders," added Jane Brody, an award-winning health columnist of The New York Times in her "Nutrition Book." (Next: Bottled water buying tips.)

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