Ozone was initially used in the United States in 1940 in Whiting for water disinfection in the water treatment process. From there the use of ozone in drinking water has expanded to its' current wide usage today. In 1982 ozone was given GRAS approval for use in bottled water. This opened up the use of ozone for disinfection in the bottled water industry. Today the majority of bottled water companies use ozone to ensure pure water that is pathogen free for consumers.

Ozone use in major drinking water plants may play a variety of roles. Most commonly ozone is used as an oxidant to replace chlorine or other chemicals in the process. Ozone unlike chlorine it does not lead to the formation of THMs (tri-halomethanes) or complex chlorinated compounds which are believed to cause cancer. Since ozone reverts to oxygen after oxidation improved water quality with lower overall residuals can be delivered to the customer.  

Ozone can treat a large spectrum of water issues including:
Bacteria including iron bacteria
Heavy metals such as iron and manganese
Organic contaminants such as tannin and algae
Microbes such as Cryptosporidium Giardia and Amoebae etc All known viruses
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Ozone is a beverage bottlers' dream.
Ozone is superior to any other disinfection method because of its high oxidation state.
Ozone allows for lower operating costs and reduces overall chemical costs.
Ozone is not typically associated with by-products and naturally reverts to oxygen so no taste or odor is associated after its use.
Ozone is generated on-site. Therefore no dangerous storage or handling is required.
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) suggests a residual ozone level of 0.2 to 0.4 ppm. This provides disinfection to both the water and the bottle.

Why Use Ozone?  
What oxidizer can kill bacteria impart no adverse taste or odor be tested and verified that it is present and have no residual when consumed? Chlorine and hydrogen peroxide cannot work without
filtration/destruction. Ultraviolet cannot. Ozone is the only choice left.

As a fast-acting and effective treatment technology ozone is now used in a variety of potable water treatment applications. Ozone treatment is becoming widely used for bottled water in worldwide.