What is still spring water and how is it different from other types of water?
Still spring water is bottled water that does not fizz and that comes from a spring. Under the FDA bottled water rule (21 CFR 165.110), spring water must be derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface, and it may be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping that formation. We found no FDA definition of the word "still" itself.
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In this article
What does “still” mean on a water label?
The FDA bottled water standard defines names such as spring, artesian, mineral, purified and sparkling bottled water. We found no FDA definition of the word “still”. The rule does define sparkling bottled water separately, so “still” on a bottle is generally read as the opposite: no added fizz.
What makes spring water “spring”?
Spring water is water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. It may be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation that feeds the spring. If a bore hole is used, the water must come from the same underground layer as the spring and have the same composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface.
How is it different from other bottled waters?
| Name | FDA definition in short |
|---|---|
| Spring water | Flows naturally to the surface from an underground formation |
| Artesian water | From a well tapping a confined aquifer where the water level stands above the top of the aquifer |
| Mineral water | Not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids; no minerals added |
| Purified water | Produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable processes |
| Sparkling bottled water | Contains the same amount of carbon dioxide from the source that it had at emergence |
Does “natural” mean anything extra?
The text of the rule sets no label requirement for the word “natural” on bottled water. It appears only inside the spring and artesian definitions, describing how the water emerges.
For a specific bottle, check the label for the source name and the water type.
People also ask
What is still spring water?
Non-fizzy bottled water that meets the FDA definition of spring water: it flows naturally to the surface from an underground formation and is collected at the spring or through a bore hole tapping it.
What is the difference between spring water and still water?
Spring water describes where the water comes from. We found no FDA definition of "still"; on labels it is generally read as not carbonated. A bottle can be both.
Is spring water the same as mineral water?
No. The FDA defines mineral water as water with not less than 250 ppm total dissolved solids and no added minerals. Spring water is defined by how it reaches the surface.
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