Does Aquafina Have Calcium In It? Unpacking Its Mineral Content

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Aquafina bottled water is purified using a multi-step process that is designed to remove naturally occurring trace compounds, including minerals. The purification method is what determines the final mineral content of the water, and in Aquafina's case, it results in a very low level of dissolved solids.

Quick Summary

Aquafina is a purified water brand where minerals, including calcium, are intentionally removed during the reverse osmosis filtration process to achieve a consistent taste and purity standard.

Key Points

No Significant Calcium: Aquafina's purification process removes almost all dissolved minerals, including calcium, resulting in a negligible trace amount.
Purified, Not Mineral Water: Aquafina is classified as purified water, not mineral water, as it is extensively filtered from a public water source rather than bottled directly from a natural spring.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration: The core technology behind Aquafina's process is reverse osmosis, which removes minerals like calcium to ensure a pure, consistent taste.
Taste Profile: The absence of minerals is what gives Aquafina its signature 'pure' or 'taste-free' flavor, contrasting with the often more complex taste of mineral water.
Calcium Intake: For most people, the trace amounts of calcium in water are not a primary dietary source, and the lack of minerals in Aquafina is not a health concern for typical hydration.
Difference in Processing: The primary difference between purified and mineral water is the intentional removal of minerals from the former versus the natural retention of minerals in the latter.

Aquafina's Purification Process: Removing Minerals for Purity

Aquafina is not a mineral water; it is a purified drinking water, which means it undergoes an extensive treatment process to remove substances that might affect its taste. The key technology in this process is reverse osmosis, which is a method designed to strip water of almost everything but the water molecules themselves.

The HydRO-7™ Purification System

Aquafina's purification is officially known as the HydRO-7™ process. It is a rigorous, seven-step system that originates from public water sources. The process is intentionally designed to remove a wide range of dissolved solids and compounds. As Aquafina's FAQ section confirms, the system is meant to eliminate trace compounds such as carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, and importantly, calcium. The goal is a consistent, clean taste, free from any mineral flavors.

The Impact of Reverse Osmosis on Calcium

Reverse osmosis (RO) works by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane with incredibly small pores. These pores are fine enough to block unwanted substances like sodium, chlorides, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While some bottled water brands may add minerals back for taste or nutritional purposes, Aquafina's process focuses on achieving a low Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level. The TDS level is a measurement of the total amount of inorganic and organic substances dissolved in a liquid. For Aquafina, the average TDS is remarkably low, which indicates the high efficiency of the purification system in removing these compounds. Any calcium that might be detected is only a minuscule trace amount, not a significant dietary source.

Purified Water vs. Mineral Water: Why the Difference Matters

Understanding the distinction between purified water and mineral water is crucial for anyone interested in their water's mineral content. The difference lies in their source and how they are processed. This difference directly answers the question, "Does Aquafina have calcium in it?" with a clear distinction from other brands.

Comparison Table: Aquafina (Purified Water) vs. Mineral Water


Feature	Aquafina (Purified Water)	Natural Mineral Water
Source	Public water sources (tap water)	Underground, naturally protected springs
Processing	Multi-step purification including reverse osmosis	Filtered, but retains natural minerals from the source
Mineral Content	Intentionally low, with minimal or trace levels of minerals	Varies widely, containing naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium
TDS Level	Very low (often less than 10 ppm)	Generally higher, depending on the specific spring
Taste	Neutral, clean, or "taste-free"	Often described as having a specific or distinct flavor due to mineral content

Does the Lack of Calcium in Water Have Health Consequences?

For the vast majority of people, drinking purified water with little to no calcium has no negative health consequences. Most of our dietary calcium comes from foods and beverages like milk, cheese, and fortified products, not from drinking water. Drinking Aquafina will not deplete your body of calcium. The human body primarily regulates its calcium levels through diet and has tightly controlled absorption mechanisms.

However, it is worth noting that water can be a source of dietary minerals, especially for those in areas with hard water or those drinking mineral-rich spring waters. For instance, a study in postmenopausal women found that those who regularly drank calcium-rich mineral water had higher bone mass density. But for typical consumption, the minute levels of minerals in most bottled waters have no significant impact on health. Staying properly hydrated, regardless of the water's mineral content, is far more important for overall health.

The Final Word: Aquafina and Calcium

In conclusion, the answer to the question "Does Aquafina have calcium in it?" is effectively no, or only trace amounts. The brand's use of advanced purification methods like reverse osmosis is designed specifically to remove minerals and other dissolved solids to create a product known for its pure and consistent taste. This differentiates it from mineral water, which naturally contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While water can sometimes contribute to mineral intake, Aquafina's focus is on purity and taste, not as a source of dietary calcium.

For more information on the purification process, you can visit the Aquafina website.(https://www.aquafina.com/en-US/faq.html)

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquafina uses a rigorous purification system, including reverse osmosis, to remove almost all Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This process specifically targets and eliminates minerals like calcium and magnesium to achieve a consistent, pure taste.

Aquafina is a purified water, not distilled. While distillation is a form of purification, Aquafina's process primarily uses reverse osmosis, in addition to other filtration steps like carbon filtration and ozonation.

Purified water, by definition, has been processed to remove almost all minerals and dissolved solids. Therefore, it contains a negligible amount of minerals, unlike natural spring or mineral water.

The main difference is the source and processing. Aquafina is purified from public water, with minerals removed. Mineral water comes from natural underground springs and contains naturally occurring minerals.

Aquafina originates from public water sources (tap water) and is then put through the brand's extensive purification process.

Yes, it is healthy for most people to drink purified water. Most of our essential mineral intake comes from food, and drinking purified water does not cause mineral deficiencies. Hydration itself is the most important health benefit.

Aquafina's 'taste-free' profile is a direct result of its extensive purification process. By removing minerals and other dissolved solids, the water is left with a neutral flavor, unlike mineral waters that derive their taste from their mineral composition.