What is spring water and how is it different from other types of water?
In the United States, FDA rules define spring water as water from an underground formation that flows naturally to the surface through a natural opening. It must be collected at the spring or through a bore hole that taps the same underground formation. Source: FDA bottled water standard of identity, 21 CFR 165.110.
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In this article
- What does spring water mean?
- Where does spring water come from?
- How is spring water different from other types of water?
- Is spring water fresh or salt water?
- What is spring water made of?
- What kind of water is spring water, and what are its qualities?
- What if the spring water is pumped from a bore hole?
- Does the label have to say where the spring is?
What does spring water mean?
Under 21 CFR 165.110, bottled spring water comes from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. It is collected at the spring, or through a bore hole that taps the underground formation feeding the spring.
Where does spring water come from?
It comes from the ground, not from a tap or a lake. The rule describes the source and how it is collected. It does not say the water is purer or healthier than other bottled water, and we found no official source that says so.
How is spring water different from other types of water?
| Type | FDA definition (21 CFR 165.110) |
|---|---|
| Spring water | Flows naturally to the surface from an underground formation; collected at the spring or by a bore hole into that formation |
| Artesian water | From a well tapping a confined aquifer where the water level stands above the top of the aquifer |
| Well water | From a hole bored or drilled into the ground that taps an aquifer |
| Mineral water | From a protected underground source, at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids, no minerals added |
| Purified water | Made by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or similar processes |
Is spring water fresh or salt water?
The FDA definition does not set a salt limit for spring water, so it does not answer this by itself. Mineral water is the type with a stated minimum of dissolved solids (250 ppm), and labels must say low mineral content below 500 ppm or high mineral content above 1,500 ppm.
What is spring water made of?
The FDA definition says where the water comes from, not what is in it. The mineral content differs from one spring to the next. Check the bottle label or the company’s water report.
What kind of water is spring water, and what are its qualities?
The FDA rule (21 CFR 165.110) sets conditions on where the water comes from and how it is collected, not on how it looks or tastes. It does not describe color, clarity or flavor, so we cannot say what spring water looks like from an official source. What it does require is that spring water has all the physical properties, before treatment, and the same composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface.
What if the spring water is pumped from a bore hole?
Spring water collected with an external force must come from the same underground stratum as the spring, shown by a measurable hydraulic connection between the bore hole and the natural spring using a hydrogeologically valid method. The water must also continue to flow naturally to the surface through the spring’s natural orifice. Plants must demonstrate this to regulators on request.
Does the label have to say where the spring is?
The rule says the location of the spring shall be identified.
People also ask
What is the difference between spring water and drinking water?
"Drinking water" is a general term. Spring water is a legal type of bottled water defined by its source: an underground formation that flows naturally to the surface (FDA, 21 CFR 165.110).
Is spring water the same as mineral water?
No. FDA defines mineral water as having at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids from a protected underground source, with no minerals added. The spring water definition has no such minimum.
Can spring water be collected from a bore hole?
Yes, if the bore hole taps the underground formation that feeds the spring, according to the FDA definition.
What kind of water is spring water?
Under 21 CFR 165.110 it is water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth, collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping that formation.
What are the qualities of spring water?
The FDA rule we read sets no color or flavor requirement. It requires the collected water to have the same physical properties and composition as the water that flows naturally from the spring.
Sources
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