Mineral Water Vs Spring Water – Source, Taste And Content

Mineral water Vs Spring water – how are they the same and how are they different, especially when it comes to taste, odor and mineral content?

Mineral water and spring water are both sourced from underground aquifers that give minerals and trace elements to the water. Mineral water can be extracted, and must naturally contain at least 250 ppm total dissolve solids (usually minerals). Whereas, spring water must flow to the surface naturally, and not be altered.

This article will take you through what mineral water and spring water are officially defined as by the FDA, and outline the differences between them, including taste and nutritional content. We also list 3 brands of mineral water and 3 brands of spring water that are the best from around the world.

Mineral water vs spring water

Mineral water and spring water are both available as bottled water. However, they are very different in terms of how they are sourced, their mineral contents, and their pH level (whether they are acidic or alkaline).

According to the FDA, bottled water may contain safe and appropriate antimicrobial agents. For example, fluoride or chlorine may be added, but in accordance with FDA guidelines.

However, mineral and spring waters are an exception – the minerals and nutrients found in these waters are sourced naturally.

Mineral water and spring water are very different from other types of bottled water, but are fairly similar to each other and many ways.

Mineral water comes from an underground source and contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids (TDS). 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Some mineral water comes naturally to the surface, but the majority are subterranean. On the other hand, all spring waters must flow to the surface unassisted.

Spring water comes from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface, 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Mineral water and spring water might have a few similarities, but overall they are quite different – especially in terms of taste and nutritional content.

What is mineral water?

Mineral water is water that comes from a protected subsurface water source, such as runoff from mountains and rock formations or boreholes. 

This water contains mineral salts and sulfur compounds in addition to carbonation. Mineral water with carbon dioxide naturally present in aquifers is often referred to as natural mineral water, such as Gerolsteiner.

However, many brands of mineral water are also artificially carbonated as the process of adding carbon dioxide under pressure to the water is simple, straightforward and cheap. Artificially carbonated water is also more ‘fizzy’ and often preferred over naturally carbonated mineral waters.

It’s important to note that minerals cannot be added artificially to mineral water, for taste or health reasons. The minerals contained in mineral water must be found in the water naturally.

The water is able to pick up these trace minerals as it moves past rocks. The types of minerals found in a specific brand of mineral water will depend on the rock formations that it percolates through.

For example, Perrier is naturally high in calcium, which comes from the limestone of the Garrigues hills in France. While Appolinaris is high in potassium ions, sourced from the volcanic rocks that is passes through.

Types of mineral water

Mineral water (vs spring water) can be classified in a variety of ways based on the level of carbonation, mineral kinds, and mineral concentration.

• Very low mineral content water (has a mineral content less than 50 mg/L).

• Low mineral content water (has mineral content between 50 to 500 mg/L).

• Medium mineral content water (has mineral content between 500 to 1500 mg/L).

• Rich mineral content water (has mineral content greater than 1500 mg/L).

What is spring water?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), spring water is water that comes from an underground aquifer (which is a huge subsurface reservoir of water).

Aquifers are underground material layers containing water, penetrable rock fissures, or unconsolidated elements where water can easily move.

The water is collected as it flows naturally to the surface or by a borehole that taps into the underground source.

Spring water can be raw water, well water, or artesian water, however, there are significant differences.

Drinking spring water is healthy and safe as it comes straight from nature, as long as the water source is not contaminated. Always purchase your spring water from reputable sources, and if in doubt, have it tested for purity and safety before drinking.

Water from springs is usually clear, however, if there are many minerals dissolved in the water, some springs may appear slightly colored.

Types of springs

• Mineral springs – springs that have a substantial amount of minerals in them (usually calcium and magnesium).

• Sweet springs – springs with low mineral content.

• Soda springs -springs that contain a lot of dissolved sodium salts, usually sodium carbonate.

The differences between mineral water and spring water.

Mineral water and spring water differ in several ways, including:

1. Taste.

Spring water and mineral water both contain natural components (minerals and trace elements) that originate from the groundwater from which it was sourced. However, mineral water (vs spring water), must contain at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids, which are more often than not ‘minerals’.

The difference in total mineral content makes spring water and mineral water taste very different. In fact, mineral water’s characteristic, opulent taste is derived from these minerals.

But the type of minerals (not just the amount) also affects the taste of the water.

Mineral water taste.

According to the FDA, mineral water is slightly saltier than spring water as it has a mineral content of 250 parts per million solids. The minerals found in mineral water do not usually vary a lot and the most frequently found are:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Sulfur
• Zinc
• Bicarbonate salts

Spring water taste.

Spring water almost always tastes crispy. It does not contain any additives or toxins, and is frequently alkaline thanks to the often high amounts of calcium carbonate found in the water. Overall, the earthy taste of spring water is thanks to its naturally occurring minerals.

2. How they are sourced.

How is mineral water sourced?

Mineral water can be sourced naturally from a protected subsurface water source, such as runoff from mountains and rock formations, or from boreholes. It can be retrieved from underground or allowed to flow to the surface naturally before being collected.

Mineral water (vs spring water) can also be manually extracted (pumped) to the surface.

After collection, no minerals or electrolytes can be added to mineral water.

How is spring water sourced?

Because spring water comes from enormous underground water basins, it passes through one of the most amazing natural filtering processes merely to reach the surface.

Springs are typically found in locations with thick bedrock, usually limestone, and as the water rises through the limestone, which has a relatively soft texture, the rock itself filters away many of the contaminants.

The spring water is then collected from where it naturally flows to the surface.

Alternatively, boreholes can be drilled, but the water cannot be pumped to the surface – the pressure that the water is naturally under (because it is underground) must make the water rise in the borehole to be collected without interference (this is known as the ‘hydraulic head‘ and is the point at which the water will naturally surface within the well or borehole than has been created)

Spring water must then be processed by checking if it has any contaminants before being bottled. In order to prevent pollution and contamination, spring water is protected within predetermined vulnerability boundaries, but it cannot be chemically altered.

3. What they contain.

Both mineral water and spring water contain certain minerals. Some are the same, while others vary. However, mineral water (vs spring water) is naturally rich in minerals, including:

Contents of mineral water.

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Bicarbonate
• Chlorine.
• In trace amounts, micronutrients like chromium, iron, selenium, cobalt, and molybdenum. 

Note: Not all mineral water has the same minerals because mineral composition varies depending on where the water is taken from.

Contents of spring water.

• Potassium.
• Sodium.
• Magnesium.
• Calcium.

4. Nutritional content.

The contents of spring water and mineral water have the following nutritional benefits to the human body.

Benefits of drinking mineral water.

According to research, mineral water has the following nutritional benefits.

• Mineral water is rich in minerals that help heart health and relieves high blood pressure.

• Magnesium helps in bone formation, lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, and enrichment of the nervous system.

• Potassium in mineral water helps in muscle growth, neuromuscular enhancement, water retention, and acid-base balance.

• Can helps with constipation and boosts the digestive health.

• Calcium helps to strengthen the bones and muscle growth and enrich nerve impulses.

• Sodium helps with electrolyte replenishment after strenuous physical activity or work.

• Chlorine improves and makes digestion easier.

• Iron is needed to keep the blood and muscles healthy.

• Sulfur is necessary for the production of amino acids and the growth of hair and nails.

• Phosphorus is vital for protein synthesis and energy regulation.

• Copper is necessary for proper functioning enzymes in the muscles and blood.

• Manganese is important for bone development and growth.

Benefits of drinking spring water.

Drinking spring water is also beneficial to your health. The mineral profile of spring water from safe and reputable sources is the most diverse of any sort of water.

• It is high in natural nutrients and minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which aid in the body’s proper functioning.

• According to research, alkaline water which in our case is spring water helps to keep the body’s pH levels in check.

• It aids in the hydration of the body.

• It does not contain chemicals or additives.

5. pH.

The pH scale is the measure of how acidic or alkaline something is – in this case, your water. It is measured with a scale value of 0-14.

Water with a pH value of 7 is neutral; while water with a pH value below 6 is acidic, and water with a pH value over 8 is alkaline (or ‘basic’).

Because it affects the physical qualities of water, such as color, odor, turbidity, and taste, as well as being potentially harmful to consumer’s health, the pH level of drinking water is significant.

Drinking water is impacted by pH through changes in appearance, taste, corrosiveness, and even the effectiveness of disinfection.

The pH level of mineral water and spring water can vary a great deal as a result of the mineral content, especially with water rich in calcium carbonate. This is because it can produce carbonic acid when dissolved in water. In fact, calcium carbonate is what naturally buffers the world’s oceans – keeping the ocean from becoming too acidic or too alkaline.

Mineral water pH: approximately 5 to 8.5.

Spring water pH: 6.5 – 10

What mineral water is best?

The best mineral water contains the perfect balance of a medium to rich mineral content, with natural carbonation. The mineral water should have a slightly salty, smooth taste.

After collection, no minerals or electrolytes are added, and the water comes from a physically and geologically protected subsurface source.

Here are our 3 favorite mineral waters from around the globe:

Perrier Mineral Water

Perrier Carbonated Mineral Water is a personal favorite of mine, and has been since I was a child when I first tried it at what I thought was a very fancy cafe at the time, in the middle of the city.

It is sourced naturally from the Massif Central mountains, located in France and has a smooth taste.

Perrier is enriched rainwater that is naturally carbonated.

Although, the company extracts the water and carbon dioxide at the source separately, the water is purified and the carbon dioxide is added back into the bottles. This preserves the mineral content and carbonation of the water while making it safer to drink.

In fact, it gives the water a little more ‘fizz’ this way.

I also love their lemon infused version – perfect on a summer’s day!

Gerolsteiner Mineral Water

Gerolsteiner has the highest mineral content of any mineral water we could find across the internet. They offer both still and sparkling mineral water, with TDS values greater than 2000 mg/L.

In fact, drinking just one bottle of this water takes care of one third your daily calcium intake.

Gerolsteiner is collected from beneath a volcano in Germany, and is rich in magnesium, which gives it a distinctly smooth taste.

This sparkling water is also enriched with carbonic acid, naturally.

San Pellegrino Sparkling Carbonated Natural Mineral Water

San Pellegrino is unsurprisingly, one of the most popular waters across the United States. This mineral water is extracted from the Italian Alps near Lombardy, and packaged in its distinctive green glass bottles.

It’s known for its characteristic crisp taste, which is thanks to its rich magnesium and calcium content.

San Pellegrino has a TDS value of 1110 mg/L, and is artificially carbonated.

If you’re like me you’ve probably seen San Pellegrino on restaurant tables all across the U.S.

What spring water is best?

The best spring waters contain a modest amount of minerals for a great crisp taste and are fresh from alpine or volcanic areas worldwide. Ideally they are not only sourced naturally, but are alkaline from the natural infusions of calcium carbonate.

Here are our top 3 spring waters from around the world.

FIJI Natural Artesian Water

Fiji water is considered amongst the purest spring water available around the world. The water begins as clouds that travel on the Equatorial Trade Winds across the ocean, to the Fijian Islands.

The rain falls on pristine rainforest in the remote Yaqara Valley, on the island of Viti Levu.

The water then naturally filtering for years through the volcanic rock that blankets the region.

Fiji Natural Artesian Water is not filtered or changed in any way – It’s simply bottled at the source.

This water has a smooth taste thanks to its naturally high mineral and electrolyte content. It contains elevated concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium and even silica.

In fact, the water’s mineral content is so perfect that it is also purely neutral, with a ph of 7.7.

Flow Alkaline Spring Water

Flow Water is sourced directly from an artesian spring in Verona, Virginia.

This spring water is naturally filtered through limestone and dolostone, which are rich in bicarbonate salts, calcium and magnesium. The rocks naturally mineralize the spring water as it moves through its pore spaces, and the longer the water stays in contact with the rocks, the greater the mineral content.

Flow Spring Water is a family-owned business that is all about sustainability. The naturally alkaline and earthy tasting spring water is sold in 100% recyclable packaging that is made up of ~75% renewables.

Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Alkaline Water

Icelandic Glacial Spring water comes from the Ölfus Spring, located in Iceland. The water percolates through volcanic rock for over 5,000 years – an incredible amount to time to absorb the trace elements the rock has to offer.

Many people like the crisp taste of Icelandic Glacial Spring water because it is surprisingly low in minerals. This is particularly unique among spring water (and mineral water) brands as most have a high mineral content.

Although, the volcanic rock does makes the spring water naturally alkaline – giving it an impressive pH of 8.4.

Are there flavored mineral and spring water available?

There are flavored spring and mineral water brands available commercially. They include:

Flavored mineral water

• Perrier L’Orange Flavored
• S.Pellegrino Essenza Flavored Mineral Water

Flavored spring water

• Crystal Geyser Orange Flavored Sparkling Spring Water