County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs New Consumer Laws 2008

WATER VENDING MACHINES AND WATER BOTTLES: STRICTER CLEANING REGULATIONS AND
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Health & Safety Code 111070, 111115, 111130, 111170, 111071, 111198

Effective January 1, 2009

Existing law establishes quality and labeling standards for bottled water and vending machines. The State Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for enforcing these regulations.

Existing law establishes a fee schedule for annual bottled and vended water licenses, and sets the fee for water-vending machines at $10.25. This new law increases the annual license fee for a water-vending machine to $40.

This new law also requires water-bottling plants to prepare an annual bottled water report in English, Spanish, and in other languages that exceed 10% of the state's population. The water-bottling plant is required to make the report available to each customer upon request.

Existing law requires DPH to require that each water-vending machine, retail water treatment plant, water hauler vehicle and facility, and private water source be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. This new law requires water-vending machines to be cleaned and serviced at least once every 31 days. The bill requires that maintenance and complaint records be kept by the owner for a minimum of 2 years and be made available to DPH upon request.

This law requires DPH to conduct annual inspections of not less than 20% of the licensed water-vending machines in the state. The law authorizes DPH to take the machine or issue a fine if a violation is found. The bill also authorizes DPH to conduct re-inspections to prevent repeated or continuing violations.

Existing law requires water bottles and water-vending machines to be clearly labeled. This new law requires labels to also include the name and contact information for the bottler or brand owner and the source of the bottled water. This new law also requires bottlers that distribute directly to consumers to provide a statement on each billing statement with contact information and how to obtain information relating to water quality.

Existing law requires that each water-vending machine, retail water facility, and private water source display a telephone number for information, service, or complaints. This new law requires that the number be toll-free or local. The notice needs to also include the toll-free number for DPH’s food and drug branch and the company’s maintenance, and container information.

For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
web site: dca.lacounty.gov