Understanding Aquafina's Purification Process
Aquafina's clarity and taste are the result of a rigorous, multi-stage process known as HydRO-7™. Unlike spring water, which retains minerals collected from underground formations, Aquafina's focus is on removing impurities to deliver a 'pure' water experience. This process effectively strips the water of nearly all total dissolved solids (TDS), including naturally occurring minerals, to create a consistent, clean flavor.
The HydRO-7™ Purification Steps
Aquafina's purification system is comprehensive, using a series of filters and treatments to ensure a high level of purity.
- Initial Sourcing: The process begins with water sourced from local municipal water supplies. A disclaimer added to labels in 2007 clarified that the water originates from a "public source".
- Pre-Filtration: The water is first run through pre-filters to remove large particulate matter and sediment that could damage subsequent membranes. Activated carbon filters are often used at this stage to remove chlorine and other compounds affecting taste and odor.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): This is the core purification step. The water is forced under high pressure through a semi-permeable membrane with incredibly small pores. This membrane is designed to reject most dissolved solids, including minerals, salts, and other trace compounds.
- Additional Safeguards: Beyond reverse osmosis, Aquafina employs further sterilization methods, including ultraviolet (UV) light treatment and ozonation. UV light is highly effective at neutralizing bacteria and viruses, while ozonation is an extra disinfectant step that helps ensure the final product is microbiologically safe.
- Final Polishing: Before bottling, the water may undergo further carbon filtration to remove any lingering off-tastes or odors.
Why Not Add Minerals Back?
For some water brands, minerals are intentionally added back after purification to enhance the taste. For example, Smartwater adds electrolytes for flavor. However, Aquafina's brand identity is built on delivering a simple, pure, and consistent taste profile. Re-adding minerals would contradict this core value and alter the neutral, clean flavor that many consumers prefer. The average TDS reading for Aquafina is around 4 parts per million (ppm), well below the FDA's 10 ppm standard for purified water, a clear indicator of its low mineral content.
Aquafina vs. Natural Mineral Water
The key difference lies in the source and processing. Natural mineral water comes from a protected underground source and contains a specific, naturally occurring composition of minerals and trace elements. No chemical treatment is permitted that would alter this composition. In contrast, Aquafina is intentionally stripped of minerals during its purification process.
Comparing Aquafina and Dasani
Aquafina and Dasani, another major brand of purified water, share some fundamental similarities but differ slightly in their approach. Both are derived from municipal sources and undergo reverse osmosis. However, Coca-Cola's Dasani is known to re-add a small blend of minerals for taste enhancement, a step PepsiCo's Aquafina intentionally omits.
| Feature | Aquafina | Dasani |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Public water sources | Public water sources |
| Purification Method | Reverse Osmosis (HydRO-7™) | Reverse Osmosis |
| Mineral Addition | No | Yes, small blend for taste |
| Target Taste | Clean, pure, and consistent | Enhanced flavor with minerals |
| Owner | PepsiCo | Coca-Cola |
Conclusion
The straightforward answer to whether minerals are added to Aquafina water is no. Aquafina's extensive purification process, featuring reverse osmosis, is designed to remove substances, including minerals, from its public water source. This commitment to a minimal mineral content is a deliberate choice to ensure the product has a consistently pure taste. While other brands may add minerals back for flavor, Aquafina's strategy focuses on a clean slate, resulting in one of the lowest Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels in the bottled water market. Ultimately, consumer preference for either pure, unflavored water or water with added minerals dictates which brand is the better choice for hydration.
A Final Word on Water Purity
While Aquafina's purification process removes minerals, it also eliminates many potential contaminants that can be found in source water. This provides consumers with a consistently safe product. However, individuals should remember that essential minerals can be obtained from a balanced diet and are not typically sourced in sufficient quantities from bottled water alone. Therefore, the choice between Aquafina and mineral-enhanced bottled waters is largely a matter of taste and personal preference, rather than a significant nutritional decision.
