Types of Bottled Water
Most water is referred to as “spring water” but that’s not usually true. The origin and processing of different types of bottled water actually make them quite different in content and taste
bottled water into several different water types:
Spring Water: The ultimate in bottled water, “spring water” is defined as bottled water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. To qualify as spring water, it must be collected only at the spring. Harvested from protected sources, spring water represents the purest of waters and free of any chemicals or contaminants. All along its subterranean journey, natural spring water is enriched by minerals from the rocks through which it flows. For generations, some waters have been particularly linked to health and well being, thanks to their specific mineral content.
Purified Water: This is a type of drinking water that has been treated with processes such as distillation, deionization or reverse osmosis. This just means that the bacteria and dissolved solids have been removed from the water by a process, making it “purified.” This type of bottled water is usually labeled as purified drinking water but can also be labeled for the specific process used to produce it, for example, reverse osmosis drinking water or distilled drinking water.
Mineral Water: Water that contains not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids (natural minerals) and is defined by its constant level and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements derived from the rock formations that the water travels through on its way to the spring source.
Sparkling Bottled Water: This type of water contains CO2 (carbon dioxide) that it adds “fizz”, much like a soda, without the calories. Sparkling bottled waters may be labeled as sparkling drinking water, sparkling mineral water or sparkling spring water.
Artesian Water/Artesian Well Water: Artesian water comes from a well that taps a layer of rock or sand-in which the water level is above the top of the aquifer. Artesian water comes out of the ground under pressure. Water that rises in excess 12 inches above the aquifer is classified as a geyser.
Well Water: Well water is exactly what it sounds like – water from a hole made in the ground that taps the water source.
Municipal/Tap Water: You know this type of water as the stuff that is piped by the city right into your home or office. While tap water isn’t regulated by the FDA (Food Regulators), it must meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Municipal/Tap Water contains contaminants and chemicals that may be hazardous to your health. Typical additives to municipal sources include lime, activated carbon, aluminum sulfate, sodium hexamethaphosphate, chlorine and sodium silicoflouride.