Is Bottled Spring Water Really Spring Water? Uncovering the Truth Behind the Label

October 8, 2025 •

5 min read

Over 55% of bottled water sold in the U.S. is labeled as “spring water”. However, this popular and often romanticized hydration choice raises a crucial question for the health-conscious consumer: is bottled spring water really spring water? This article will explore the legal definitions, sourcing practices, and processing methods to help you decipher what's truly inside your bottle.

Quick Summary

This article explores the federal regulations and sourcing practices that define what bottled spring water is and contrasts it with other types of water. It details the journey from source to bottle, covers the differences between purified and mineral water, and explains how to read water labels. You'll understand how taste, mineral content, and regulations vary across different packaged waters.

Key Points

Federal Regulation: Bottled spring water is regulated by the FDA and must meet or exceed EPA tap water standards.
Sourcing and Collection: Spring water must originate from a naturally flowing underground source, collected either directly or via a borehole.
Treatment Process: Spring water undergoes minimal processing, such as filtration and UV/ozone treatment, to preserve its natural minerals.
Transport: It is a myth that all bottled spring water is bottled directly at the source; many brands transport it in tankers to a bottling facility.
Label Transparency: Product labels must clearly state the water type and source, and consumers can check manufacturer lab reports for more details.
Not Just Tap Water: Spring water and purified water are distinct from filtered tap water, which often originates from a municipal source before further treatment.

What Does "Spring Water" Mean?

Legally, "spring water" is water that is collected from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a food product, the water must be collected at the spring or through a borehole that taps into the underground source. It is not, by definition, the pristine, untouched stream you might imagine. However, the FDA's "Standard of Identity" requires that the water maintain the same chemical composition as the water from the spring itself before any allowed treatment.

The Journey from Source to Bottle

For a spring water product to be labeled as such, the bottler must adhere to specific rules about its collection and processing. A common misconception is that all spring water is bottled directly at the source. This is not the case for many brands.

Collection: The water is collected from the underground source, often using a borehole.
Transport: Many companies use tanker trucks to transport the water from the spring to a bottling facility that can be miles away.
Treatment: During transport, the water may be treated with chlorine to maintain safety, which is later removed at the bottling facility via a carbon filtration process.
Final Processing: The water is filtered to remove particles and microbes, often through a two-micron pharmaceutical-grade filter, and treated with ultraviolet (UV) light or ozone to kill bacteria. These treatments are designed to preserve the water's original character while ensuring safety. Minimal processing is key, as no minerals can be added to or removed from the water.

Regulatory Oversight: FDA vs. EPA

When evaluating water quality, it's helpful to understand the regulatory differences between tap and bottled water. In the U.S., bottled water is regulated by the FDA, while tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By federal law, FDA regulations for bottled water must be as stringent as EPA standards for tap water, and in some cases, can be even more rigorous.

Bottled Water (FDA): The FDA sets standards of identity for different bottled water types and mandates quality standards for over 90 substances. Bottlers are responsible for their own testing, but are also subject to annual, unannounced third-party inspections and strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices.
Tap Water (EPA): The EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for public water systems and requires water utilities to regularly test and provide reports to the public. The EPA's regulations cover a broader range of potential contaminants because tap water can be used for purposes other than drinking, such as bathing and industrial use.

Different Types of Bottled Water Explained

Beyond spring water, the bottled water aisle offers a variety of products, each with its own source and processing method. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for making an informed choice.

Purified Water

Purified water undergoes extensive treatment, such as distillation, reverse osmosis, or deionization, to remove all dissolved solids and impurities. The source can be from a spring, a well, or even a municipal supply. Because of this rigorous process, purified water is virtually free of contaminants but also lacks the natural minerals found in spring water. Some companies may add a controlled blend of minerals back for taste consistency.

Mineral Water

Mineral water also comes from a protected underground source but is distinguished by a higher, constant level of minerals. The European Economic Community's regulations, for instance, are very strict about the constancy of mineral content. These minerals, like calcium and magnesium, give the water a unique flavor profile. Unlike spring water, mineral water cannot be transported in bulk for bottling away from the source.

Comparison of Water Types


Feature	Spring Water	Purified Water	Mineral Water	Tap Water
Source	Underground aquifer; flows naturally to surface	Any source, including tap, well, or spring	Protected underground source	Municipal supply (rivers, lakes, aquifers)
Processing	Minimal processing (filtration, UV/ozone)	Extensive purification (distillation, reverse osmosis)	None or minimal treatment allowed	Extensive treatment (chlorination, filtration)
Mineral Content	Natural, variable mineral content	Very low; often minerals are added back for taste	High, constant mineral content	Variable, depending on local source
Taste	Reflects the natural mineral composition	Neutral, consistent	Distinctive, influenced by high mineral levels	Can vary based on source and treatment
Regulation (US)	FDA	FDA	FDA	EPA

How to Read Your Water Label

Understanding your bottled water label is the first step toward knowing what you're truly drinking. Here’s what to look for:

Source Designation: The label must explicitly state the water type, such as "spring water," "purified water," or "mineral water." If it says "from a community water system" or "from a municipal source," it means the water originated from tap water that was subsequently filtered and bottled.
Location: The label should identify the location of the spring or the facility where the water was bottled.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): While not always listed, some bottled water companies provide a lab report of their water's mineral content, which can be checked online. The TDS levels in spring water are naturally variable.
Contact Information: FDA requires bottled water labels to list the manufacturer's or bottler's name and address, providing an avenue for consumers to request more information.

Conclusion

So, is bottled spring water really spring water? The answer is generally yes, according to federal regulations, as long as the label accurately states its origin and the water maintains its natural chemical properties during processing. However, the reality is more nuanced than the idealized image of a pristine mountain stream. Consumers should be aware that the water may be transported and undergo some treatment to ensure its safety. For those seeking the purest, most consistent hydration, purified water might be a better choice, while those who appreciate the natural mineral variations and flavor will prefer spring water. Ultimately, understanding the distinctions and reading the label is the most powerful tool a health-conscious consumer has. If you have concerns about the specific water you are drinking, look up the bottler's lab report or choose a reliable home filtration system for your tap water, which is also stringently regulated and safe in most areas.

For more detailed information on bottled water regulations, consider visiting the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) website: https://bottledwater.org/regulations/.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, true bottled spring water must come from a protected underground source and maintain its original chemical composition. Water sourced from a municipal supply, even if filtered, must be labeled as such.

In the U.S., the FDA regulates bottled water as a food product, setting quality and manufacturing standards. These standards are legally required to be as stringent as the EPA regulations for tap water.

The main difference is the mineral content and processing. Spring water retains its naturally occurring minerals, while purified water undergoes extensive treatment (like reverse osmosis) to remove nearly all dissolved solids.

Both are safe to drink, but whether one is 'healthier' is debatable. Tap water is rigorously monitored for contaminants by the EPA. Spring water can contain beneficial minerals, but these are often also present in tap water and come in larger quantities from a healthy diet.

If labeled 'spring water', it does come from a spring, but it might not be bottled at the immediate source. Regulations allow for collection from the underground source and transport to a bottling plant, where it's filtered and treated.

The taste varies due to the unique mineral composition of each spring's geological source. The natural ratio of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium influences the flavor.

Read the label carefully for the water type and source. For added assurance, you can look up the company's publicly available water quality report, often found on their website, or check for certifications from organizations like the IBWA.