What are the minerals and other natural elements found in spring water?
Spring water is groundwater that flows naturally to the surface, and FDA sets no list of minerals for it. USDA data for bottled waters shows typical minerals are calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, plus tiny amounts of iron and fluoride. The amounts depend on the spring: USDA lists 1 mg calcium per 100 g in one spring water and 33 mg in a mineral water.
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In this article
What is spring water?
FDA defines spring water as water from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface through a natural orifice. Bottled spring water has its source location identified. FDA does not set a standard mineral list for it, so the mix depends on the spring.
Which minerals does it contain?
USDA analyzed bottled waters. Per 100 g (about 100 mL):
| Water (USDA) | Calcium | Magnesium | Sodium | Potassium | Iron | Fluoride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland Spring (bottled spring water) | 1 mg | 1 mg | 1 mg | 0 mg | 0.01 mg | 10 mcg |
| Bottled water, generic | 10 mg | 2 mg | 2 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | not listed |
| Gerolsteiner (mineral water) | 33 mg | 11 mg | 13 mg | 2 mg | 0 mg | not listed |
All three are 0 calories. A value of 0 means below what the entry reports, not that the element is absent. These are single products, not every spring.
Is there iron in spring water?
Sometimes a trace: USDA lists 0.01 mg per 100 g in the Poland Spring entry. For tap water, EPA’s non-enforceable guideline is 0.3 mg/L for iron, because more can cause rusty color, metallic taste and staining. EPA’s guideline for total dissolved solids is 500 mg/L.
Can minerals be added?
FDA’s bottled water rule allows only optional antimicrobial agents and, within limits, fluoride as added ingredients. For well or spring water you drink at home, ask your local health department about testing.
What elements and components does spring water contain, such as zinc, chloride or sulfate?
Spring water can contain them, but we found no official list that says which spring has what. What EPA publishes are guideline limits for substances that affect taste or looks. EPA’s secondary standards table lists chloride at 250 mg/L (noticeable effect: salty taste), sulfate at 250 mg/L (salty taste), zinc at 5 mg/L (metallic taste) and manganese at 0.05 mg/L (black to brown color, black staining, bitter metallic taste).
These are non-enforceable guidelines set for taste and appearance, not a list of what a spring holds. Because every spring is different, a bottled spring water label or a lab test of your own spring is the only way to know its mix.
People also ask
What minerals are in spring water?
USDA data for bottled waters shows calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, with trace iron and fluoride. Amounts vary by spring.
Is there iron in spring water?
Possibly a trace. USDA lists 0.01 mg iron per 100 g for one bottled spring water. EPA's guideline for iron in drinking water is 0.3 mg/L.
How is spring water defined?
FDA defines it as water from an underground formation that flows naturally to the surface through a natural orifice.
Does spring water have zinc in it?
It can, but we found no official figure for natural springs in general. EPA lists a 5 mg/L secondary guideline for zinc in drinking water, based on metallic taste.
What elements or components are in spring water?
We found no official list of what spring water contains, because every spring differs. EPA's secondary standards name chloride, sulfate, zinc and manganese as substances with taste or appearance guidelines.
Sources
- Cornell Law School (FDA rule text): 21 CFR 165.110 Bottled water, read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, water, bottled, POLAND SPRING (SR Legacy 173234), read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, GEROLSTEINER mineral bottled water (SR Legacy 173183), read 5 Nov 2026
- EPA: Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals, read 5 Nov 2026
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