§732. Definitions

           As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:

           (1) "Approved laboratory" means a laboratory approved by the state or department or certified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or certified by the primary enforcement authority in any state which has been granted primacy by the EPA, or certified or accredited by a third-party organization acceptable to a primacy state.

           (2) "Approved source" when used in reference to a bottled water plant's product water or water used in the plant's operations, means the source of the water whether it be from a spring, artesian well, drilled well, public or community water system or any other source that has been inspected and the water sampled, analyzed and found of a safe and sanitary quality with or without treatment. Such approval shall be obtained and maintained in accordance with R.S. 40:735. The presence in the plant of a current certificate or notification of approval from the department shall constitute approval of the source.

           (3) "Artesian water" means bottled water from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands above the water table. "Artesian water" shall meet the requirements of "natural water".

           (4) "Bottled water" means water that is placed in a sealed container or package and is offered for sale for human consumption or other consumer uses. Bottled water may be with or without natural or added carbonation and may be prepared with added flavors, extracts, or essences derived from a spice or fruit which comprise less than one percent by weight of the final product. Said products shall contain no sweeteners, acidulants, or additives other than said flavors, extracts, or essences.

           (5) "Bottled water plant" means any place or establishment in which bottled water is prepared for sale.

           (6) "Carbonated water" or "sparkling water" means bottled water containing carbon dioxide.

           (7) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

           (8) "Distilled water" means bottled water which has been produced by a process of distillation and meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopeia.

           (9) "Drinking water" means bottled water obtained from an approved source that has at minimum undergone treatment consisting of filtration (activated carbon or particulate) and ozonation or an equivalent disinfection process.

           (10) "Fluoridated water" means bottled water containing fluoride. The label shall specify whether the fluoride is naturally occurring or added. Any water which meets the definition of this Paragraph shall contain not less than 0.8 milligrams per liter fluoride ion and otherwise comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality standards in 21 CFR Section 103.35(d)(2).

           (11) "Mineral water" means bottled water that contains not less than 500 parts per million total dissolved solids. "Natural mineral water" shall meet the requirements of "natural water".

           (12) "Natural water" means bottled spring, mineral, artesian, or well water which is derived from an underground formation and is not derived from a municipal system or public water supply.

           (13) "Plant operator" means any person who owns or operates a bottled water plant and who meets the requirements of R.S. 40:734.

           (14) "Purified water" means bottled water produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable process and that meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopeia. Water which meets the definition of this Paragraph and is vaporized, then condensed, may be labeled "distilled water".

           (15) "Spring water" means water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. "Spring water" shall meet the requirements of "natural water".

           (16) "Water dealer" means any person who imports bottled water or causes bulk water to be transported for bottling for human consumption or other consumer uses.

           (17) "Well water" means water from a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground which taps the water of an aquifer. "Well water" shall meet the requirements of "natural water".

           Acts 1991, No. 623, §1; Acts 1995, No. 351, §1, eff. June 16, 1995.