A report from March 1999:

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report entitled "BOTTLED WATER: PURE DRINK OR PURE HYPE?" It was prepared because bottled water sales have exploded during the last few years. It was felt that consumers had a conception of purity in bottled water based on packaging labels and advertisements. Therefore the NRDC undertook a four year study of more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of bottled water. About 33% of the waters tested contained synthetic organic chemicals, bacteria, or arsenic (in at least one sample) that exceeded allowable limits under either state or bottled water industry standards or guidelines. The NRDC found bottled water regulations of the states and the federal government inadequate to assure consumers of purity or safety. Since 60 to 70 percent of all bottled water sold in the USA is bottled, packaged, and sold within the same state, FDA rules don't apply to these waters. When bottled water IS covered by the FDA's rules, standards for purity are less stringent than those which apply to city tap water. For instance, bottled water is tested less frequently than city tap water for bacteria and chemical contaminants. Bottled water is also allowed some contamination by E. coli or fecal coliform whereas tap water rules prohibit confirmed contamination with these bacteria. At present no regulations require bottled water to be disinfected or tested for parasites such as crytosporidium or giardia contrary to the rules for city tap water systems which are supplied by surface water sources. Therefore, those individuals with weakened immune systems © those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, the frail, and infants, may be threatened by contaminated bottled water.