How is still mineral water sourced and bottled?
In the US, mineral water must come from a geologically and physically protected underground source tapped at one or more boreholes or springs, and it must contain at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids. No minerals may be added. It is then bottled, and the label must name the type of water.
Free download
Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF): How long juice, soda, coconut water and bottled water last, opened and unopened. 19 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
How is still mineral water sourced?
Under the US federal rule for bottled water (21 CFR 165.110), mineral water is water from a geologically and physically protected underground source, tapped at one or more boreholes or springs. It must contain at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids, and the rule states that no minerals may be added. The minerals therefore come from the rock the water moved through, not from the factory.
How is it bottled?
Producers collect the water at the source, and it is then bottled and sealed. The rule treats a labeled water type as a legal claim, so a product called mineral water has to meet this definition. Beyond that, the exact steps differ from one maker to another, so look on the producer’s own page for details on treatment and testing.
Mineral water vs spring water vs purified water
| Type | Definition in short |
|---|---|
| Mineral water | Protected underground source, at least 250 ppm dissolved solids, no minerals added |
| Spring water | From an underground formation that flows to the surface naturally, collected at the spring or a borehole tapping that formation |
| Purified water | Produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or similar, meeting the US Pharmacopeia definition; may be called demineralized |
What to check on the label
- The water type printed on the bottle (mineral, spring, purified).
- The mineral analysis, which many mineral waters list: calcium, magnesium, sodium and total dissolved solids.
- Sodium, if you watch your intake.
- Whether it is still or sparkling.
Common mistakes
- Assuming spring water and mineral water are the same. The 250 ppm line and the no-additions rule are what set mineral water apart.
- Assuming more minerals means a health benefit. No official claim is made here; taste is the main difference.
Rules differ outside the US, so labels in other countries may use different definitions.
People also ask
How is mineral water defined in the US?
Water from a protected underground source with at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids, where no minerals may be added.
Is still mineral water the same as spring water?
No. Spring water flows from an underground formation to the surface; mineral water has a minimum dissolved solids level and a protected source.
Can minerals be added to mineral water?
Under the US rule, no minerals may be added to water sold as mineral water.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
