Regulations & Oversight

Ozarka is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as a Public Water Supply. These regulations oversee the construction and design methods of Ozarka's collection methods, sanitary conditions of those designs and GUI testing, a test to ensure that the spring water is not under the influence of surface water. The collection systems are governed under Public Water Supply regulations, which ensure that the water quality produced at the spring sites meets the requirements for drinking water standards as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA regulates tap water in the United States while the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the pharmaceutical and food industry, which includes bottled water. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, FDA regulations for bottled water must be at least as stringent as those imposed by the EPA for tap water. In this regard, bottled water is required to be tested for the same contaminants as tap water. In Texas, the FDA regulates Ozarka spring water as a "food product" through its administrative arm, the Texas Department of Health.

Ozarka's internal requirements meet or exceed all Local, State and Federal bottled water regulations. The company's internal quality assurance program ensures that any analysis required from any regulatory agency becomes a part of its regular testing program. On average, staff microbiologists perform 15 tests per hour. Further, Ozarka voluntarily submits to a National Sanitation Foundation outside party inspection of all of its bottling facilities. This audit ensures that the company meets the most stringent guidelines for sanitation and process control.

In addition, Ozarka complies with inspections and audits from the FDA, National Sanitary Foundation (NSF), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), TNRCC and its own Nestlé Waters-required audits.
Ozarka conforms to all applicable state and federal laws regarding water quality, food product safety, and water management practices. Ozarka holds itself accountable to an even higher standard by complying with the bottling guidelines of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).

Most important, Ozarka is held accountable by its customers. We encourage consumers to talk to regulators and other independent third parties who have dealt with Ozarka in the past to confirm our good management practices and history of regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship and participation in the community.