The Water Type Confusion

Walk down the water aisle of any supermarket, and you'll be confronted with a dizzying array of options: spring water, purified water, mineral water, artesian water, alkaline water, and more. With so many choices and marketing claims, understanding the differences between these water types can be challenging.

This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the various water categories, explaining how they differ in source, processing, mineral content, taste, and potential benefits. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to choose the water that best suits your preferences and needs.

Natural Spring Water: From Earth to Bottle

Spring water comes from underground formations where water naturally flows to the surface or is accessed through a borehole. To be classified as spring water in the UK, it must be collected at the spring itself or via a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring.

Characteristics of Spring Water:

  • Source: Underground aquifers that feed natural springs
  • Regulation: Subject to strict regulations regarding collection and bottling
  • Mineral Content: Contains naturally occurring minerals in varying amounts depending on the specific spring source
  • Processing: Minimal processing; typically filtered to remove particles but not treated to alter mineral composition
  • Taste: Often has a distinct taste profile influenced by its mineral content and source geology

Spring water is valued for its natural mineral composition, which develops as the water percolates through rock layers. The exact mineral profile varies widely depending on the specific spring source, giving different spring waters their unique characteristics.

The UK is home to numerous spring water sources, particularly in regions with suitable geological formations such as the Lake District, Scotland, and Wales. Each source produces water with a distinct mineral profile reflective of the local geology.

Purified Water: Processed for Purity

Unlike spring water, purified water can come from any source, including springs, wells, rivers, or even municipal tap water. What defines it is not its origin, but the extensive processing it undergoes to remove impurities and contaminants.

Characteristics of Purified Water:

  • Source: Any water source, including municipal supplies
  • Regulation: Must meet specific standards for purity with very low levels of dissolved solids
  • Mineral Content: Very low mineral content due to purification processes
  • Processing: Extensive treatment using methods such as distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes
  • Taste: Typically neutral or "flat" due to the removal of minerals that contribute to taste

The purification process removes not only potentially harmful contaminants but also most naturally occurring minerals. This results in water that is exceptionally pure but lacks the mineral content and taste characteristics of spring water.

Common purification methods include:

  • Reverse Osmosis: Forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps contaminants
  • Distillation: Evaporates water and recondenses it, leaving impurities behind
  • Deionization: Removes ionized minerals and salts through ion exchange
  • Carbon Filtration: Removes organic compounds, chlorine, and improves taste

Some purified water products undergo remineralization after purification to improve taste and add back beneficial minerals.

Mineral Water: Nature's Nutrient Infusion

Natural mineral water is distinguished by its consistent mineral composition and its collection directly from underground sources that are protected from pollution risks.

Characteristics of Mineral Water:

  • Source: Underground protected sources
  • Regulation: In the UK and EU, must be bottled at source and have a consistent, stable mineral composition
  • Mineral Content: Contains a significant and consistent level of minerals and trace elements
  • Processing: Cannot undergo treatments that would alter its natural mineral composition (except for removing unstable elements like iron or sulfur)
  • Taste: Often has a distinctive taste due to its specific mineral content

Natural mineral water must be officially recognized through a rigorous qualification process. It must demonstrate stability of mineral composition over time and meet strict microbiological criteria.

Some mineral waters are particularly high in specific minerals like calcium, magnesium, or bicarbonates, which may contribute various health benefits. However, these benefits vary widely depending on the specific mineral composition of the water.

Tap Water: The Regulated Baseline

To understand bottled water options, it's helpful to consider them in relation to the tap water that's readily available in UK homes.

Characteristics of UK Tap Water:

  • Source: Primarily surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater sources
  • Regulation: Strictly regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate with regular testing for over 50 parameters
  • Mineral Content: Varies by region, typically containing calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other minerals
  • Processing: Undergoes filtration, disinfection (usually chlorination), and other treatments to ensure safety
  • Taste: Can vary significantly by region; may have a chlorine taste from disinfection

UK tap water is generally very safe and meets strict quality standards. Regional variations in hardness (mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium) significantly affect the taste and feel of tap water throughout the country.

Other Water Types

Artesian Water

Artesian water comes from a well that taps a confined aquifer, where the water level stands above the top of the aquifer. The natural pressure forces the water to rise to the surface without pumping.

This type of water is often valued for its purity, as the confining layers of rock and clay provide natural protection from surface contaminants.

Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a higher pH level (typically 8 or 9) than regular drinking water (usually around 7). This higher alkalinity is either naturally occurring due to dissolved minerals or created through an ionization process.

Claims about health benefits of alkaline water are numerous but remain scientifically contested. The human body naturally maintains its blood pH within a very tight range regardless of the pH of consumed water.

Flavoured and Enhanced Waters

These waters have added ingredients such as flavors, vitamins, minerals, or electrolytes. They vary widely in added sugar content, ranging from zero-calorie options to those with significant sugar content similar to soft drinks.

While they may increase water consumption for those who dislike plain water, it's important to check labels for added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Comparing Mineral Content

One of the key differences between water types is their mineral content, which affects both taste and potential health effects:

  • Calcium: Important for bone health; higher in hard water and many mineral waters
  • Magnesium: Essential for hundreds of biochemical reactions; often abundant in mineral waters
  • Sodium: Important for fluid balance; levels vary widely (those on sodium-restricted diets should check labels)
  • Potassium: Crucial for heart function; present in some mineral waters
  • Bicarbonates: May help neutralize acid in the digestive tract; common in spring waters
  • Sulfates: Can have a laxative effect at high concentrations; present in some mineral waters

The total dissolved solids (TDS) measurement gives an indication of overall mineral content:

  • Purified water: Very low TDS (typically <50 mg/L)
  • Spring water: Variable TDS depending on source
  • Mineral water: Typically higher TDS (can range from 50 to over 1,000 mg/L)
  • UK tap water: Varies by region (typically 200-300 mg/L)

Taste Differences

The taste of water is influenced by its mineral content, pH, temperature, and dissolved gases:

  • Spring water: Often described as "fresh" with a taste profile influenced by its specific mineral content
  • Purified water: Typically neutral or "flat" due to the removal of minerals
  • Mineral water: Can have distinctive tastes ranging from sweet to slightly salty depending on mineral composition
  • Tap water: Often has a chlorine taste from disinfection; mineral taste varies by region

Water temperature significantly affects taste perception. Cold water generally tastes better because lower temperatures reduce the perception of any unwanted flavors and increase refreshment.

Environmental Considerations

When choosing between water types, environmental impact is an increasingly important consideration:

Bottled Water Environmental Impact

  • Plastic bottle production consumes petroleum resources and generates greenhouse gases
  • Transportation of bottled water contributes to carbon emissions
  • Disposal of single-use bottles creates waste, even with recycling

More Sustainable Options

  • Filtered tap water in reusable bottles
  • Home water filter systems
  • Water delivery services using reusable containers
  • Concentrate-based carbonated water makers for sparkling water lovers

Lipkaya Pasta's reusable container water delivery service offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to single-use bottled water while still providing the quality and convenience of delivered water.

Making Your Choice: Factors to Consider

When selecting the right water for your needs, consider these factors:

Taste Preference

If you enjoy the taste of minerals, spring or mineral water might be your preference. If you prefer a neutral taste, purified water might be better suited to your palate.

Intended Use

Different waters may be preferable for different uses:

  • For drinking: Personal taste preference is key
  • For cooking: Purified water won't alter food flavors; mineral water might enhance them
  • For tea and coffee: The mineral content affects extraction and flavor
  • For appliances: Lower mineral content (softer) water prevents scale buildup

Health Considerations

While all regulated bottled and tap waters are safe to drink, specific health considerations might influence your choice:

  • Those on sodium-restricted diets should check mineral content
  • If you're seeking calcium intake, some mineral waters can contribute to daily needs
  • For those with sensitive digestion, different mineral compositions may be more comfortable

Environmental Impact

Consider the environmental footprint of your water choice, including packaging, transportation, and disposal. Water delivery services with reusable containers offer a middle ground between convenience and sustainability.

Cost Effectiveness

There's a significant price difference between tap water, filtered tap water, and various bottled waters. Consider value for money based on your priorities regarding taste, convenience, and quality.

Conclusion

The "best" water is ultimately subjective and depends on your personal preferences, health considerations, and values regarding environmental impact. Understanding the differences between spring water, purified water, mineral water, and tap water empowers you to make an informed choice that aligns with your needs.

At Lipkaya Pasta, we offer premium spring water delivered in environmentally friendly reusable containers. Our water is sourced from protected springs, providing the natural mineral benefits of spring water with the convenience of home delivery, all while minimizing environmental impact.

Whether you choose our delivery service, another bottled option, or filtered tap water, staying well-hydrated with water that you enjoy drinking is the most important consideration for your health and wellbeing.

Water Types Spring Water Purified Water Mineral Content