SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 6015

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1992

Brief Description:  Regulating bottled water.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Water Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Madsen, Gaspard and Rasmussen)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6015 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, and Hansen.

Staff:  Russ Lehman (786-7449)

Hearing Dates: January 30, 1992; February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The International Bottled Water Association has prepared model regulations which contain a number of standard definitions and regulatory requirements for various types of bottled water.

Currently, bottled water sold in Washington State is regulated as a food product under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  This act requires bottled water plants to be licensed with the Department of Agriculture.

SUMMARY:

Bottled water must conform with federal and state labeling laws.  Bottled water must be labeled in compliance with the definitions and standards of the act.  The various types of bottled water are defined, including:  mineral water; spring water; naturally carbonated water; carbonated water; artesian water; and purified water.

The Department of Health is authorized to set quality standards for the source or supply of bottle water plants.  A bottled water plant operator must notify the Department of Health when a contaminant not otherwise monitored is present, creating a potential health hazard to consumers.

A specific reference to bottled water is added to the state Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 28, 1992

TESTIMONY FOR:

Clear regulatory authority would be helpful to the departments in enforcing present law regarding the source and quality of bottled water.  Labeling guidelines would be beneficial to the public and to bottlers who are truly acquiring their water from the source which appears in the advertising.  Some concerns were raised regarding specific language in the original bill which were accommodated in the proposed substitute.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  David Monthie DOH; William and Allen Bechtel, Pure Water Corp.; Jim Wegner, Jeff Cox, WRA; Randy Cowen, Mountain Mist