F.A.Q.

How Did We Get Our Name? : When John Cooke started the company, he wanted to give it a name that sounded industrial, and he did not want it to tie the company to the water industry only. His father suggested "Greenhead" with the logo being that of a duck. John was not particularily fond of ducks, but it occured to him that he could substitute the word "steel" for "green" to make Steelhead. This sounded industrial but was generic and catchy, and that is what we have gone by ever since. John learned later of the famous fish that goes by the same name, and most people today assume that we are named after that great fighting trout. It is a good thing that John didn't know about our namesake, because he was never that fond of fishing either!

“Purified Water” means bottled water produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process and that meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopeia, 23rd Revision, January 1, 1995

“Drinking Water” means water that is intended for human consumption and that it may optionally contain safe and suitable anti-microbial agents. Fluoride may be optionally added within the limitations established in 21 CFR Section 165.110(b)(4)(ii). Firms may manufacture non standardized drinking water products with ingredients such as minerals for flavor. The common or usual name of the resultant product must reflect these additions. Drinking water may be used as an ingredient in beverages (e.g., diluted juices, flavored bottled waters). It does not include those food ingredients that are declared in ingredient labeling as “water”, “carbonated water”, “disinfected water”, “filtered water”, “seltzer water”, “soda water”, “sparkling water”, and “tonic water”. The processing and bottling of drinking water shall comply with applicable regulations in part 129.

“Spring Water” means water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water must comply with the FDA quality standard in 21 CFR 165.110(a)(2)(vi). Spring water shall be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. There shall be a natural force causing the water to flow to the surface through a natural orifice. The location of the spring shall be identified and such identification shall be maintained in the company’s records. Spring water collected with the use of an external force shall be from the same underground striation as the spring, as shown by a measurable hydraulic connection using a hydrogeologically valid method between the bore hole and the natural spring, and shall have all the physical properties, before treatment, and be of the same composition and quality, as the water that lows naturally to the surface of the earth. If spring water is collected with the use of an external force, water must continue to flow naturally to the surface of the earth through the spring’s natural orifice. Plants shall demonstrate, on request, to appropriate regulatory officials, using a hydrogeologically valid method, that an appropriate hydraulic connection exists between the natural orifice of the spring and the bore hole.

How many years has Steelhead been in business?

Steelhead started in 1970 in San Antonio, Texas, building systems for the bottled water industry. At 36 years of continuous operation, we are now the longest continuously operating equipment manufacturer in the world for 5 gallon bottling systems.

Do you sell equipment in other countries besides the USA?

Steelhead has been providing equipment to the world since the 1980's. At last count, we have sold equipment into more than 65 countries.

Do you sell only new equipment, or can I get pre-owned equipment from Steelhead as well?

Steelhead frequently has pre-owned equipment available. Check out our "pre-owned" section of the website for current offerings.