2017 MABWA Fall Education Seminar Technical Workshop (4 Hours - 4 CEUs)

Living with FSMA Update: Part IV

FDA’s Final Rule on Preventative Controls

MABWA provides regular FSMA updates and training as presented by Chris Dunn, DunnWorks. Each FSMA Seminar qualifies for Continuing Education Credits with the International Bottled Water Association.

The next seminar will be the last of a four-part series on “Building Your FSMA Compliant Food Safety Plan”. This series is designed to help you update your HACCP & GMP program to be FSMA compliant. Medium-sized plants have until September 2017 to comply, while small plants have until September 2018. However, some of FSMA’s requirements have already gone into effect!>> READ MORE

President's Letter

Allocating Time To Learn & Be Motivated!

Whether we are doing things for others or for ourselves we tend to allocate time to those things we believe are most vital to our lives and livelihoods. This reminds me of the age-old adage, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” However, this also means most of our time allocations are reactive in response to the inherent problems and issues that come up on a regular basis in the life of a business.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to initiate allocating time for educating yourself and others within your organization on the many important facets of the bottled water business. There are great benefits to learning and keeping up with your industry’s trends, technologies, new and innovative marketing strategies, and so much more. This is one of the most productive ways you can strengthen your ability to grow and develop yourself and your business. I also encourage you to give yourself the time and permission to become motivated and renewed in the midst of day-in and day-out routines.Reward! >> READ MORE

TX Department of State Health Services Final Rules

Effective 8/2/2017: Food Safety Standards


The Texas Department of State Health Services adopted amendments to its food safety regulations, including those which address bottled drinking water. Among many other revisions, the amendments incorporate by reference "21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 129, Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water, as amended”. The amendments also incorporate state drinking water standards for public and nonpublic water sources and specify safe practices by plant employees.


The Department adopted the rules and published notice of the final rules in the Texas Register. The rules are effective 8/2/2017. The Department published notice of the proposed rules in the Texas Register. A public hearing was held 3/28/2017. Comments were due 5/2/2017. >> READ MORE

Member Spotlight: Gotcha Covered HR

Gotcha Covered HR is a women-owned New Orleans-based Human Resources consulting firm. Its founders, Stefanie Allweiss and Patricia Pannell, who both hold law degrees, have significant years of experience working with both large and small businesses in multiple industries. Their associate Ray Lieber is an expert in human resources processes and rounds out the team with his wealth of practical experience. As a member vendor of MABWA, Gotcha Covered HR offers a greatly discounted consulting rate, and a number of specialized packaged services, as a benefit to all of our members. >> READ MORE

News & Announcements

You can now subscribe to WQA Radio on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher

On this podcast we are joined by Tyler Stenseng, President of the Texas Water Quality Association and a second generation Culligan dealer. Tyler spoke with us on the floor of the Texas Water Quality Association Convention in July about the water challenges in Texas. >> READ MORE

IBWA PUBLICATION WINS APEX 2017 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has been awarded the APEX 2017 Award of Excellence for its bimonthly magazine, Bottled Water Reporter. >> READ MORE

Water Quality Association applauds changes to Washington, D.C. Healthy Schools ActRequires schools and charter schools to install and maintain certified filters

LISLE, IL – The Water Quality Association applauds the Council of the District of Columbia for recently amending the Healthy Schools Act of 2010 focusing on lead in schools and other public places. The new law requires public schools and public charter schools to locate all drinking water sources, install and maintain certified filters for reducing lead at all drinking water sources and to test all drinking water sources for lead annually. >> READ MORE

WQA calls attention to phony door-to-door scams on Long Island, NY

“We don’t use scare tactics to generate business”

LISLE, IL –The Water Quality Association (WQA) is calling attention to individuals claiming to be from WQA going door-to-door on Long Island, New York passing themselves off as water inspectors or offering to test a homeowner’s drinking water. >> READ MORE

Growing awareness of water treatment methods, says national public opinion study on in

pitcher or end-of-tap filters have highest recognition

LISLE, Ill. – Awareness of water treatment methods increased over the past two years among U.S. consumers, according to a national public opinion study, with 92 percent of respondents aware of in-pitcher or end-of-tap filters, up from 84 percent in 2015. The number of households that were aware of filters in refrigerators rose slightly, from 83 percent in 2015 to 84 percent this year. Percentages did not add to 100 percent because of multiple responses. >> READ MORE

MABWA Mission Statement

MABWA is a professional trade association for the betterment of the bottled water industry, providing education, government relations, and a forum for the exchange of technical and regulatory information for all members of the association. MABWA is the oldest bottled water industry trade association. It has been meeting members' needs and industry challenges since June 14, 1952.

2017 MABWA Calendar of Events


November 9, 2017

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

MABWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Omni Dallas Park West – Dallas, TX

November 9-10, 2017

2017 MABWA FALL EDUCATION SEMINAR & PLANT TOUR

Omni Dallas Park West – Dallas, TX

Mid-America Bottled Water Association (MABWA)

PO Box 1747

Dripping Springs, TX 78620

www.mabwa.org