When it comes to bottled water, you have many choices available to you. Spring water, distilled water, Reverse Osmosis water, and Alkaline water are all readily available in a variety of bottle sizes and at different price points. So how do you know you are selecting the right type for you?
Spring Water
Most spring water, as the name suggests, is sourced from a spring. This means that the water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. The water may be collected at the spring or by boring a hole into the underground water source that feeds the spring. This water comes directly from an underground water source and is typically rich in the naturally occurring minerals found in the earth.
While established and reputable bottling companies monitor and test their product to food grade standards and protect their water sources, natural spring water is only as clean as the source it is coming from. These waters must be treated and properly disinfected to ensure the water quality of their product is safe for consumption. Drinking water from untreated sources directly from the ground, river or lake without proper treatment is not recommended and should be discouraged.
Purified Water
Purified water is typically produced using water that is already filtered and disinfected. This water is then further filtered to reduce any remaining impurities, chemicals or other contaminants. After the filtration process, this water can be put through additional processes to produce a purified water that is safe for consumption.
The most common purified water is produced utilizing Distillation or Reverse Osmosis Membrane filtration which further reduces other contaminants to trace levels. Either Distilled or Reverse Osmosis water can be re-processed, adding natural minerals back into the water to produce an Alkaline water that can be bottled and consumed.
Distilled Water
Pre-filtered water is boiled, the vapour is cooled, condensed and collected. At the end of the distillation process, the water that is left behind has no remaining impurities, including any ground source minerals.
Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse Osmosis is produced when water is passed through a series of filters and membranes to reduce impurities, chemicals and other contaminants. The result is pure, delicious, healthy water that is great for drinking.
Alkaline Water
Many people believe that water which is remineralized to a higher pH level has a variety of health benefits, including slowing the aging process and preventing chronic diseases. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The most popular include Ionization, and the process of remineralizing Reverse Osmosis and distilled water using specialty media filters.
Water Depot
Water Depot’s U-Fill water tables offer both Reverse Osmosis and Alkaline water, in a variety of bottle sizes and package prices. Contact your local Water Depot location for more information.
