Whats the difference between the various kinds of bottled water, such as spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and others?
In one word, purity. The source of the water and how the water is – or isn’t – cleaned are the main determining factors in a water’s total dissolved solids level (i.e., purity level) and its taste. The FDA has established a bottled water Standard of Identity to define the several different types of bottled water based on specific characteristics of the product. Bottled water products meeting the Standard of Identity may be labeled as bottled water or drinking water, or one or more of the following terms: Artesian Water/Artesian Well Water – Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand) in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer. Mineral Water – Bottled water containing not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids may be labeled as mineral water. Mineral water is distinguished from other types of bottled water by its constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace ele
