Bottled water packaging is using fewer natural resources and is producing lighter-weight plastics. Many bottled water producers have reduced the weight of plastic containers used for water bottles by an average of 27 percent.
The FDA's safety criteria require extensive toxicity testing for any substance present at more than negligible levels. That means the FDA has affirmatively determined that, when plastics are contact with food, the nature and amount of substances that may migrate, if any, are safe.
How long can you store a bottle? The FDA has not established a shelf life for bottled water. IBWA (International Bottled Water Association) advises consumers to store bottled water at room temperature (or cooler), out of direct sunlight and away from solvents and chemicals such as gasoline, paint thinners and dry cleaning chemicals.