Water Types

Bottled water companies offer many types of water, from spring water to distilled water. The differences between these types of water are determined by the source of the water and anything that occurs to the water during processing. The FDA defines bottled water according to the following Standards of Identity. These apply to all bottled water in the U.S.

Water Type

Characteristics

Artesian Water

·         From a well in a confined aquifer

·         Water level in well must stand at some height above the top of the aquifer

·         May also be known as "artesian well water"

Distilled Water

·         Water that has been turned into steam to leave impurities behind

·         Steam is condensed into pure water

·         Due to its purity, distilled water is used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical and liquid dry prescriptions

Fluoridated Water

·         Contains fluoride that is added within the limitations set by Federal Regulations

·         Some spring and artesian sources have naturally occurring fluoride in trace amounts

Mineral Water

·         Must contain no less than 250 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) with the solids being the minerals in the water

·         Must come from a geologically and physically protected underground water source

·         Is distinguished from other types of water by the regular mineral and trace elements present

·         No minerals may be added to this water

Purified Water

·         Produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable processes that meet the legal definition of "purified water"

·         May also be known as "demineralized water"

Sparkling Water

·         Contains, after treatment and possible replacement of carbon dioxide, the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at emergence from the source

·         Soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters. They are regulated separately and considered softdrinks

Spring Water

·         Must come from underground formation and flow naturally to the surface of the earth

·         Emanates from beneath the earth, from under strata that formed in prehistoric times

·         Must be collected at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation finding the spring

Sterile Water

·         Must meet the requirements under "Sterility Tests" in the United States PharMacPPCopoeia

·         May also be known as "sterilized water."

Well Water

·         Comes from a hole that is bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground, tapping the water of an aquifer