All About Bottled Water

Perrier Bottled water?

It's a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of drying up anytime soon. In the U.S., approximately 600 brands of bottled water are being produced in bottling plants nationwide, consumed at a healthy clip and paid for at an average price of one dollar per gallon.

But why pay for something that's available free from the kitchen tap?

Depending on where you live, it comes down - quite literally - to personal taste. Some municipal water supplies are so heavily chlorinated that it pays to purchase the bottled variety. Then there is the immediate response to massive advertising campaigns. Major soft drink producers Pepsi (Aquafina) and Coke (Dasani) have seen to that.

Meanwhile, medical experts are divided on the issue. Health claims for bottled water are viewed as exaggerated at best. Others argue that it's better for consumers to reach for bottled water than overly-sweet, high-calorie drinks, right?

Many consumers will simply swear by esthetics - as with popular water brand Fiji which is drawn from an exotic tropical South Pacific source. Be prepared, however, to pay extra for a pretty bottle and the high amounts of silica the water contains, reportedly providing a smooth and refreshing "mouth feel".

Bottled Water - 'Twas Ever Thus

The bottling of water dates back to the ancient Romans who first discovered a source of mineral water in Spa, Belgium. The town's name later became synonymous with health resorts everywhere.

Spa's special water source from mountain springs was said to invigorate the body and mind.

However, modern historians usually point to the fact that minerals commonly found in over-the-counter supplements may do the same. Just think of heart-healthy potassium and magnesium, the benefits of iron for anemia, or calcium for arthritis and joint diseases.

What's In YOUR Bottled Water?

While mineral water has been traditionally more popular in Europe than elsewhere, popular U.S. spring water brands hint at the same health benefits just for being "natural".

As with any consumer product, READ THE LABEL. Some natural spring water brands are simply repackaged tap water, so look for the required "public water source" or "from a community water supply" before lugging a gallon jug to the checkout counter.

To get the maximum benefit of bottled water (besides life-giving H²0), consumers should know exactly what minerals are contained in the most popular brands.

Below, find a bit of background information along with links to full-disclosure from official Web sites or elsewhere:

Aquafina - In the news in 2007 for blatantly misleading consumers about its source, Pepsico's Aquafina is actually just plain old tap water. The finding forced Aquafina makers to include the words "Public Water Source" (actually, the Detroit municipal reservoir) on all Aquafina labels in future. What's in it?

Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water - Natural rain and snowfall give rise to four San Bernadino Mountain springs in California, where it was first bottled in 1894. A decade later it was being shipped to Los Angeles and further points east. What's in it?.

Calistoga - From the resort town of the same name located in Napa Valley, California where a natural geyser has been attracting tourists since the 19th century. Before bottling, the water is cooled and filtered with the natural sulfur aroma removed. What's in it?.

Crystal Geyser - First originating in the mountains of California and Nevada, they have since expanded to other natural spring sources found in South Carolina and Tennessee. What's in it?

Deer Park - First produced from the Deer Park spring in Maryland in 1873 where - along with its swimming pool and Turkish baths - pure mountain water attracted the rich and famous to the Deer Park hotel resort. What's in it?

Evian - One of the more heavily advertised European brands to enter the American market, Evian gets its natural spring water from Source Cachat on the Vinzier Plateau in France. What's in it?

Fiji Natural Artesian Water - First bottled for guests at the exclusive Wakaya Club in the Fiji islands, then launched as a brand in the later 90's in a distinctive square bottle and hibiscus flower logo. High silica content lends a smooth "mouth feel" and flavor while aiding in bone and joint health. But is it worth the extra cost? Fans say so. What's in it?

Perrier - Today, the very name evokes sophistication, but its source has lied deep within the the earth below Vergeze, France for millions of years. Naturally carbonated, extra fizz is provided by injection with carbon monoxide gas. What's in it?

Poland Spring - It was first bottled in the 19th century, after seriously ill Maine innkeeper Joseph Ricker drank from a nearby natural spring and was restored to perfect health. Or so the legend goes. Today, Poland Spring comes in both still and sparkling versions. What's in it?

San Pellegrino - The famous Italian brand gets its source from deep springs found in the mountains of Northern Italy, and worldwide can be commonly found in most food stores or served in Italian eateries. What's in it?

Vittel - The source lies deep beneath a sandstone aquifer in the Vosges Mountains in France, where mineral content and trace elements are said to to have restorative powers to the intestinal and digestive system. What's in it?

Volvic - Named for the gray volcanic rock from which it emerges from the Clairvic Spring in France. What's in it?

More about bottled water around the Web:

Drinking Water Information - Bottled Water or Tap Water?

Crusing Chemistry - How is Water Purified?

Bottled Water FAQ

What's in Your Bottled Water?