Nicolet Natural Artesian Water (pronounced Nick-o-LAY) comes from our 63-acre, privately owned, protected source in northeastern Wisconsin, which is surrounded by 661,400 acres of the Nicolet National Forest. Nicolet Natural rises to the surface naturally from our artesian wells that tap a confined aquifer of ground water.

Nicolet Forest Bottling Company's source and bottling plant are 8 miles east of Mountain, Wis., which is about 70 miles northwest of Green Bay, Wis. The U.S. Forest Service protects and manages the National Forest.

Read more about Our Source.

Artesian water is ground water confined under pressure between layers of underground rock (called a confined aquifer)-that rises to the top of the aquifer and sometimes above land when a well taps the confined aquifer.

Nicolet Natural Artesian Water rises from its protected aquifer from the natural pressure created by the surrounding granite rock of its confined aquifer. Because Nicolet Water flows through a well casing and not through soil and rock layers, which is typical of spring water, it does not collect contaminates along the way.

A spring is an aquifer filled to the point that water overflows onto the land's surface. Spring water is collected as it flows to the surface, coming in contact with soil and rock layers.

Learn more about the Types Of Bottled Water.

Natural water means no minerals or chemicals have been removed or added to the product, like Nicolet Natural Artesian Water.

Purified refers to processes that remove chemicals and pathogens. Purified water has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable processes that meet this labeling definition. Some bottled water brands originated from a public tap water (municipal) supply and were purified before bottling.

Some brands of bottled water have been processed or blended to meet a specific mineral content.

Taste is the major difference. You simply cannot manufacture the naturally crisp, delicious taste Mother Nature gives Nicolet Natural Artesian Water, which comes from our protected source in Wisconsin's north woods.

Learn more about the Types Of Bottled Water.

The least possible-micron filter and ozonate. Nicolet Natural Artesian Water passes through a series of micron filters, each able to remove any naturally occurring particles or sediment (such as silica sand) to the size of 1 micron. (Human hair is approximately 50 microns.) This filtering does not change the water's molecular or inorganic structure, or natural mineral composition.

Ozone is a form of oxygen gas commonly used by the bottled-water industry for disinfection. Conversely, most public (municipal) water systems use chlorine. Ozone is injected into water before bottling to destroy any naturally occurring microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi. After three to four hours the ozone dissipates. It does not alter the water's natural taste.

You drink Nicolet Natural the way it comes from our protected aquifer, naturally crisp, pure and delicious.

Nicolet Natural Artesian Water is tested daily for pH, ozone concentration, conductivity levels, coliform bacteria and taste. An independent laboratory conducts weekly bacteriological tests.

We also perform bacteria tests on caps and bottles to ensure they are sanitized and bacteria free. The filling machines, cappers, nozzles and the conveyors are sanitized daily with an approved solution, and rinsed with ozonated water to ensure a quality product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) material certification is on file for everything that contacts Nicolet Natural.

All bottled water companies are required to conduct an extensive, microbiological chemical analysis of their water annually. This measures pesticides, and inorganic and organic compounds. Once every two years a radiological test is required.

• Nicolet Natural Artesian Water's December 2008 annual water test met all FDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and International Bottled Water Association Standards of Quality.

Download a pdf file of our most current water-source analysis.

The bottled water industry is regulated on three levels: federal and state, and at the industry level for bottlers who are members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).

• Nicolet Forest Bottling Company is an IBWA member.

On the federal level, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and performs annual, unannounced inspections of Nicolet's bottling facility.

On the state level, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection enforces state regulations and performs annual, unannounced inspections of Nicolet's bottling facility.

On the industry level, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) ensures its bottler members comply with IBWA's Bottled Water Code Of Practice by hiring a nationally recognized, third-party organization to conduct mandatory, unannounced plant inspections annually and a comprehensive audit. IBWA membership is voluntary.

• For the last seven years Nicolet Forest Bottling Company has received an Excellence In Manufacturing Award from the International Bottled Water Association. This certification requires a minimum score of 97 percent on the third-party organization audit.

Learn more about bottled water regulations.

Nicolet Natural Artesian Water contains a trace of naturally occurring fluoride, .2 mg/L. This is well below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) maximum contaminate level for fluoride of 4 mg/L. Should you desire more fluoride in your diet, we suggest you consult your physician and dentist; too much fluoride can be harmful.

No. Bottled water does not have a mandatory expiration date. Bottled water keeps indefinitely if it is stored properly, at room temperature or preferably cooler and in a dark place. This is why emergency government officials recommend you keep bottled water in your storm shelter should a power outage or weather emergency occur.

Many water bottlers choose to print a better-if-used-by date of two years, but Nicolet Forest Bottling Company does not. When stored in a cool, dark place, you will find Nicolet Natural Artesian Water tastes naturally crisp and delicious whenever you drink it.

Nicolet Natural Artesian Water comes from our 63-acre, privately owned, protected source surrounded by the Nicolet National Forest in northeastern Wisconsin. We carefully bottle this naturally pure, delicious water at this source. Owning pristine, remote property and transporting bottled water long distances costs more than filtering and bottling municipal water as many other bottlers chose to do. We feel ensuring consistent quality and taste for your health and enjoyment is worthy of this extra effort and expense.

Faucet filters remove odor and chlorine taste. However, the most harmful substances that can occur in drinking water are compounds that you cannot see, smell, taste or remove with this type of filter. Some contaminants require treatments other than filtering to remove them from water. And public water systems are not removing pharmaceuticals and personal-care products from your tap water.

Consider the full cost of operating a filter, including maintaining it and filter replacement by the manufacturer's recommended schedule. Some faucet filters claim to reduce the levels of some substances, which depends, in part, on how well the unit is maintained and how frequently the filter is changed. How will you know what and how much the filter has removed?

• Bottled water is mandated to meet minimum contaminant levels (mcl) for numerous substances. In some cases, like lead, bottled water must meet lower mcls than public water supplies.

We feel it more prudent to drink natural bottled water from a protected, underground source in a remote location surrounded by pristine land like the Nicolet National Forest. Our Nicolet Water is frequently tested, stringently regulated for quality and purity, and naturally free of chemicals.

Read more about Our Source.

Download a pdf file our most current Nicolet Natural water source analysis.

"Tons of Released Drugs Taint U.S. Water", a U.S. News and World Report April 10, 2009 article. .

More about bottled water regulations.

• Single-serve screw-cap: 12-ounce and 16.9-ounce (.5-liter)
• Single-serve sport-cap: 20-ounce and 1-liter
• 3-gallon
• 5-gallon

Yes.

We offer them because they are lighter than the 5-gallon bottles and are increasingly popular with our senior customers.

Yes.

All of our 3-gallon water bottles have handles. Some of our 5-gallon water bottles have handles. We are continually adding more 5-gallon water bottles with handles to our inventory to meet customers' preferences.

• Single-serve Nicolet Natural Artesian Water bottles are made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) labeled as #1 plastic. These bottles are made for a single use; recycle them when you are finished.
• 3-gallon and 5-gallon Nicolet Natural Artesian Water bottles are made from Polycarbonate (PC, #7), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, #1) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or V, #3) plastics.

All these bottles are 100-percent recyclable.

Please recycle your single-serve bottles responsibly.

View this YouTube video about recycling water bottles.

Yes. The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make Polycarbonate (PC, #7), a hard, clear plastic, and epoxy resins. Learn more About Bisphenol A below.

Single-serve Water Bottles Are Bisphenol A-Free

All Nicolet Natural Artesian Water single-serve bottles are made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), labeled as #1 plastic. This type of plastic does not contain bisphenol A (BPA).

3-gallon, 5-gallon Bottles

Most of Nicolet Forest Bottling Company's 3-gallon and 5-gallon water bottles are Polycarbonate bottles (PC, #7), which are made with bisphenol A (BPA). Some of Nicolet's 3-gallon and 5-gallon water bottles are Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, #1) and others are Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or V, #3) plastic bottles, which are not made with bisphenol A (BPA).

We are continually adding 3-gallon and 5-gallon water bottles that are not made with BPA to our inventory to meet customers' preferences.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined bisphenol A (BPA) safe for use in food and beverage packaging.

Why use polycarbonate?

The bottled-water industry predominately uses polycarbonate bottles (PC #7 plastic), which are made with bisphenol A (BPA), for the 3-gallon and 5-gallon sizes for several important reasons. This type of plastic is lightweight, resistant to high heat and highly durable. This makes these bottles safe to sanitize and reuse for food and beverages for many years. Additionally, as water bottlers retire polycarbonate bottles from inventory, they are 100-percent recyclable and the market demand is strong for the post-consumer-use of this material. Polycarbonate bottles are recycled into park benches, recycling collection cans, decking material and more.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined bisphenol A (BPA) safe for use in food and beverage packaging.

About Bisphenol A (BPA)

The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make polycarbonate plastic (PC, #7), a hard, clear plastic, and epoxy resins used as protective liners in metal cans to maintain the quality of canned foods and beverages.

Bisphenol A was invented in 1891 and 1905 by different people in Europe. Scientists discovered in the 1930s that it was chemically similar to the natural hormone estrogen. Soon after they began using it in an epoxy resin. In the 1940s companies began using BPA in epoxy resins for protective linings in cans and then to make polycarbonate plastic.

BPA is found in reusable plastic containers for food and water including baby bottles, tableware, food and beverage can linings, eye glass lenses, medical equipment, water supply pipes, toys, packaging, compact discs, cell phones, bike helmets, appliances and more.

People are primarily exposed to BPA daily through their food and beverages. BPA can leach into food and liquid from the protective, epoxy resin lining cans and from polycarbonate tableware and containers. The degree to which BPA leaches from polycarbonate containers into liquid may depend more on the temperature of the liquid or bottle, than the age of the container.

Air, dust, water, and some dental composites and sealants are other possible sources of BPA exposure. BPA can be found in breast milk. Studies show human exposure to BPA is widespread.

Presently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined BPA is safe for use in food and beverage packaging. BPA migration into foods packaged in plastic containers or cans is extremely low. The amount of BPA found in foods is far less than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) safe levels.

The FDA stated in October 2008 that "the present consensus among regulatory agencies is that the current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an immediate health risk to the general population, including infants and babies."

Current research indicates BPA does not accumulate in the body, and the body readily excretes the small amounts from daily exposure. Nonetheless, there is much to learn about safe levels, long-term exposure and bioaccumulation. Scientists are studying how this endocrine-disrupting compound may affect reproductive development, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, behavior, learning disabilities and other health risks.

Scrutiny and controversy are growing about this chemical's safety. Some states and municipalities are passing legislation that bans BPA from beverage bottles for young children. A federal ban has been introduced in the House and Senate. The FDA continues to study bisphenol A (BPA), and is expected to rule by Nov. 30, 2009 whether the chemical is safe for use in food and beverage containers.

What is Nicolet Forest Bottling Company doing about bisphenol A (BPA) bottles?

Nicolet Forest Bottling Company is closely monitoring the bisphenol A (BPA) discussion and emerging research, and considering practical alternatives. We are adding bisphenol A-free 3-gallon and 5-gallon water bottles to our inventory to meet customers' preferences.

What can I do to limit exposure to bisphenol A (BPA)?

Use food and beverage containers as they were originally intended, practice moderation and apply common sense.

• Store bottled water in a cool, dark place.
• Recycle containers that were intended for a single use-don't reuse them.
• Don't microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. BPA is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from repeated use at high temperatures.
• Don't wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.
• Recycle and replace polycarbonate plastic containers that appear scratched.
• Reduce your use of canned foods and beverages. Eat fresh or frozen foods.
• When possible use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
• Use baby bottles and toys that are BPA-free.

Sources: Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, U. S. National Institutes of Health National Toxicology Program, International Food Information Council Foundation and others.

Here are some sources for information about bisphenol A:

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention
www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/factsheet_bisphenol.pdf

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm166145.htm

Message For Consumers
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm

• On the right side, click on BPA Fact Sheet to download an easy-to-read document by the National Institutes of Health National Toxicology Program

International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
Position Statement Oct. 30, 2008
www.bottledwater.org/public/2008_releases/Polycarbonate.htm

www.bottledwater.org/public/2008_releases/Revision.htm

International Food Information Council
www.ific.org/publications/qa/bisphenolaqa.cfm

American Chemistry Council
http://www.bisphenol-a.org/

"Just How Harmful Are Bisphenol-A Plastics?" September 2008 article from Scientific American magazine
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=just-how-harmful-are-bisphenol-a-plastics

Yes. Nicolet Forest Bottling Company was the first Midwest bottler to apply the water-safe cap to 5-gallon bottles. This now widely used cap allows you to remove a pressure-sensitive seal, then as you place the bottle on the bottled-water dispenser a probe pierces the cap. This type of cap ensures the water's purity upon bottling, and prevents spills and splashes.

And our single-serve bottles also have tamper-proof caps that allow you to readily see if the cap has been opened and thus broken the seal.

• 3-gallon and 5-gallon Home and Office Delivery: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio
• 3-gallon and 5-gallon at Retail Stores: Wisconsin
• Single-serve Bottles at Retail Stores: Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Michigan's upper peninsula

Click here to find a distributor and/or retailer near you.

Yes. Most distributors sell and deliver cases of Nicolet Natural Artesian Water single-serve bottles to their home- and office-delivery customers, upon request.

• 1-liter bottles come 12 per case
• 12-ounce, 16.9-ounce (.5 liter) and 20-ounce bottles come 24 per case

Some grocery stores sell shrink-wrapped multipacks of Nicolet Natural single-serve bottles in addition to individual bottles. These multipacks are smaller than a case, and come in different sizes. Gas-convenience stores sell our individual single-serve bottles.

Find a distributor and/or retailer near you.

Both. All Nicolet Natural Artesian Water distributors rent and sell various types of electric water coolers and nonelectric, bottled-water dispensers to hold the 3-gallon and 5-gallon water bottles. Prices vary by distributor.

To ensure your bottled-water dispenser continues working properly, clean it every three months to six months, if the unit has a no-spill top. Clean a dispenser without a no-spill top monthly. Time the cleaning when you need to replace an empty water bottle.

Cleaning Instructions

1. Unplug dispenser from wall outlet.
2. Remove water bottle.
3. Wash exterior, spigot(s) and drip tray with hot water and mild dish soap. Wipe dry.
4. Drain all water remaining in the cold-water reservoir through the cold-water spigot into a container. If there is ice in the reservoir, you may add some hot water to hasten this step.
5. Remove the no-spill top. Remove the air filter and set aside, or if the air filter is not easily removable, protect it from getting wet. Wash the no-spill top with hot water and mild dish soap. Rinse and set aside.
6. Remove the baffle inside the cold reservoir and wash it with hot water and mild dish soap. Rinse and set aside. (Nonelectric units do not have baffles.)
7. If you have a dispenser with a HOT tank, snuggly plug the center hole in the bottom of the hot reservoir with a small cork. Plugging the hot reservoir will protect it from the bleach solution you will use to sanitize the cold tank. WARNING: Do Not clean the hot tank with bleach! The temperature the water reaches in the hot reservoir is sufficient to sanitize it.
8. Fill the cold reservoir with 1 gallon of clean tap water. Add 1 teaspoon of unscented, household bleach to the tap water in the reservoir to make a sanitizing solution. (Never exceed 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of tap water.)
9. Use a cloth moistened with the bleach-sanitizing solution in the cold reservoir to wipe the no-spill top and baffle. Protect the air filter from water. Allow them to stand for five minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean tap water and set aside.
10. Using a clean brush and/or cloth, scrub the inside of the cold reservoir. Let stand for five minutes.
11. Drain the bleach-sanitizing solution through the cold-water spigot only.
12. Rinse cold reservoir by filling with about a gallon of clean tap water. Drain through the cold-water spigot.
13. If your cooler has two spigots, refill the cold reservoir with another gallon of clean tap water. Drain through the second spigot.
14. Return the clean, sanitized and rinsed baffle and no-spill top to their positions.
15. Add two cups of water to the cold reservoir. Empty one cup from each spigot and test the water for a chlorine taste. If it remains, continue rinsing until the taste dissipates.
16. If you have a dispenser with a HOT tank, remove the plug you placed in the center hole in the bottom of the hot reservoir.
17. Place a new water bottle on the dispenser. Before plugging in the dispenser, fill the reservoir completely, especially if you have a hot tank. Also, remove one cup of water from the hot tank before plugging it in. Plug in the unit.

Option: Instead of bleach you may use white vinegar to make a sanitizing solution. Mix two quarts white vinegar with two quarts of warm water to make one gallon of solution.

Note: There are many types of bottled water dispensers made by different manufacturers. If you have any questions, contact the distributor from which you rent or bought the unit to receive manufacturer-specific cleaning and maintenance instructions.

Yes. All Nicolet Natural Artesian Water distributorships require an up-front, refundable, $6.00 deposit per water bottle for home and office bottled-water delivery. You pay the per-bottle deposit when you receive your first water bottles, or any time you increase your inventory. Thereafter, you receive an even exchange of full water bottles for empty bottles. Should you reduce your inventory or discontinue your delivery service, you will receive a deposit refund of $6.00 per water bottle for each bottle returned in good condition.

Store all sizes of water bottles full and empty out of direct sunlight, preferably in a cool, dark place where they will not freeze. Also, keep full and empty bottles away from toxic chemicals such as cleaning agents, solvents, gasoline and diesel fuel.

Algae Growth In Bottles. Nicolet Natural Artesian Water is a natural product full of minerals. When a full bottle or empty bottle with moisture in it is exposed to sunlight, it warms. This creates a moist incubator, a perfect environment for algae to grow in. This will turn the bottle green and then we have to recycle it, rather than sanitize and reuse it.

• Nicolet Forest Bottling Company and its distributors will not credit you a bottle-deposit refund for bottles with algae growth.

Water Dispenser Placement. To prevent algae growth while on the water dispenser, position the dispenser away from direct sunlight, not in or near a window, especially west or south windows. And the quicker you empty the bottle the less likely it will incubate microorganisms. If you are not able to locate the dispenser and bottle out of direct sunlight, bottle covers are available for purchase.

Freezing. The 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles should expand without bursting if they do freeze, but the naturally present minerals will come out of suspension and settle to the bottom. Just like with ice cubes, this separation only affects the water's appearance. If you must store bottles in a garage or other similar, unheated space, cover them with blankets when the temperatures drop below freezing.

Rarely, but once in a great while, the 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles can develop a pinhole leak. We do our best to inspect the bottles before refilling, but these often invisible, pinhole leaks can develop at any time, so we cannot guarantee that you will never get a leaky bottle.

Though they are made from very durable plastic, if you drop a water bottle in the winter it can create an indiscernible crack. This can become a pinhole leak. If a bottle has been allowed to freeze, this may also cause a hidden crack.

If you get a bottle that leaks, we ask that you please mark it with a permanent marker as Leaker and notify your delivery driver so we can recycle it.

If you position your water dispenser on a hardwood floor, we recommend you place a rubber mat, like a boot mat, under your dispenser. This will help protect the floor from a pinhole leak that may develop while you are away.

Pricing varies by the independently owned, Nicolet Natural Artesian Water distributorship. Please contact your local distributor with these questions. Find a distributor near you.

Fuel surcharges vary by the independently owned, Nicolet Natural Artesian Water distributorship. Please contact your local distributor with these questions. Find a distributor near you.