Is water just water? Well, not quite! In today’s blog, we give you a quick guide to the different kinds of bottled water that are available out there, namely, mineral, spring and prepared water
The tricky thing about water is that it is (usually!) transparent so one looks much like the others, so how can they be different? There are quite a few ways. Things such as the source, consistency, mineral composition, taste, and if the water is prepared or treated will influence how different types of water are classified.
Natural mineral water
Natural mineral water comes from an underground source that is unpolluted. Characterised by specific proportions of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphates which give mineral water its name. Consistency is crucial- The water needs to be steadily flowing, and stable levels of proportions of minerals.
Mineral water is not treated in any way, such as with chemicals. Mineral water can be carbonated, and certain minerals, such as iron and manganese, can be removed.
Spring water
Spring water comes from a specified source, usually underground but occasionally on the surface, and has not passed through any municipal water system.
Similarly to mineral water, spring water cannot be treated or contain any pollution or contamination and is kept within the spring until bottling occurs.
Prepared water
Prepared water can originate from any supply (including municipal water) and can come from multiple sources.
Prepared water is treated so that it complies with chemical, microbiological and radiological safety requirements for pre-packaged water.
It may also have things added to it, such as additional minerals or treatments. Prepared water is often the standard for emerging countries where purity means, above all, safety. Depending on local legislation, it will be called “purified water” or “drinking water” on the label.
So, it seems that water is not just water! We hope that this quick breakdown gave you an insight into different kinds of water and why they are different.
