Evamor: Environmental Working Group Grades Label, Not Water Quality

COVINGTON, La., Jan. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Evamor Products, Inc., producers of Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source, takes exception to the "F" Grade given by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).  

At first glance, it appears as though Evamor Natural Artesian Water is graded based on the quality of our artesian water. However, EWG is actually grading bottled water labels. California mandates all bottled water labels clearly identify the source and two ways to contact the company for a water quality report.  Many bottled waters are not from a natural source, so they purify water from a municipal tap and state that it is from a "Public Water Source".

However, Evamor Products Inc., bottlers of Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source, is extremely proud of the water's source which is located one-half mile underground, in a protected, enclosed aquifer under layers of impermeable rock, in Covington, La.  Evamor's natural source is rare because it is one of a very few natural water sources that is naturally alkaline.

There are a couple of problems with the EWG's report that Evamor wishes to address. First, the EWG graded the label on a discontinued product, Evamor Artesian Water Beverage, and not the current, all natural product, Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source. The old Evamor beverage had added natural trace minerals and as a beverage should not have been included in this report. Second, the new Evamor Artesian Water label does include two website addresses and one phone number. The old Evamor beverage did not include the location of the source, as California or the FDA did not mandate it at the time. Since 2008, Evamor Products Inc. has been working on building a state of the art facility to bottle directly on top of the water source in Covington, La.  The company also decided that it would simply bottle what naturally comes from the underground aquifer, thereby changing the product from a beverage to an Artesian water. Evolving the product to what Evamor felt was a better, more natural product, the company made adjustments to the bottle's label to include source, phone number and two web site addresses – which comply with California mandates. Third, Evamor feels that EWG did not do a reasonable job of addressing how brands were graded as the process was only mentioned in the report summary. The EWG report grades water brands based on labels and ease of finding reports of water quality. But the way the report is presented, a reasonable person would assume that the grade relates to the quality of the water. Combine this report with "Breaking News" announcements on popular outlets, like YAHOO!, and the coverage alludes to "grades for water" versus "grades for water labels." And this is where Evamor Products Inc. takes exception with the report.

In the interest of assisting consumers, here is a list of links related to the criteria used for grading:

Source: The source for Evamor Artesian Water Beverage and Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source – is a protected artesian aquifer that is naturally alkaline, located one-half mile under layers of impermeable rock, in Covington, La. (http://www.evamor.com/about-the-product/the-source.php)

Purification: Evamor does not need to be purified, since it has been protected from modern civilization, for thousands of years, a half-mile underground. In Evamor's closed bottling process, the water never touches air as it is filtered for sediment and ozonated for bacteria before it fills a bottle that was blow-molded seconds before from a PET1 plastic preform. When a consumer opens a bottle of Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source – it is the first time in thousands of years, the water touches surface air. (http://www.evamor.com/about-the-product/the-source.php)

Testing: Evamor did not post a regular Water Quality Report online where it could easily be found. However, had EWG contacted Evamor Products Inc. via the phone number located on the label, the company would have gladly complied as it does with all consumer requests and on a regular basis with the various State and Federal regulatory bodies. Evamor Products Inc. has now corrected this oversight and placed the Water Quality Report on the front page of the website. A consumer will see that Evamor's concern for quality controls via testing is paramount. (http://www.evamor.com/pdf/eVamor_2010_Water_Quality_Report.pdf)

Advanced Treatment: Evamor can only assume that advanced treatment means a special process for purification or treating the water. This part is unclear. The company assures consumers that Evamor's bottling process is state of the art, using world class European bottling equipment. Evamor's bottling facility is located directly on top of the source so the company does not have to truck the water anywhere to be bottled, risking contamination. (Note: Anytime water has to be trucked across state lines, chlorine must be added to the water by federal regulation.)

To summarize, the EWG's report is really about grading labels and whether certain brands make their source and process easily known as it relates to California law. At Evamor Products Inc., bottlers of Evamor Natural Artesian Water – rare alkaline source – the company is extremely proud of the water's source, its naturally high alkalinity and the great tasting artesian water it produces.

Boasting an alkalinity level 100 times higher than most other bottled waters, Evamor quenches more than just thirst; it also helps to neutralize excess acid in the body, caused by foods found in the typical American diet (processed foods). A couple of smooth and refreshing servings of Evamor a day are a great source of alkalinity. Increased dietary alkalinity is known to help reduce body fat and fatigue, protect bones and support the immune system, leading to better overall wellness.

Currently, Evamor is available at most natural foods retailers through:

• Tree of Life Distributors
• United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI)
• KEHE Distributors

And can also be found in Texas at the following locations:

Evamor Products, Inc. is a privately held company based in Covington, La. and is a subsidiary of Wm. B. Reily & Co., Inc. For more information, including pH facts and additional locations where Evamor is available, please visit us on the web at http://www.wateryoucanfeel.com/.

About Evamor pH levels: New Evamor is now a Natural Artesian Water that is bottled at the source in a brand new state of the art bottling plant. The natural artesian source of Evamor can fluctuate between 8.8 and 9.1 over time. Because Evamor follows all Federal, State and Local laws, the lowest pH measurement is stated on the label. Be assured that the New Evamor is the finest alkaline water available.

SOURCE Evamor Products, Inc.