Is Dasani Bottled Water Spring Water?

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Coca-Cola Company's own reports, Dasani is not spring water but is sourced from municipal water supplies. This purified water undergoes a multi-step filtration process, including reverse osmosis, before a proprietary blend of minerals is added for taste.

Quick Summary

Dasani is purified water derived from municipal sources, not naturally sourced spring water. It undergoes a rigorous process, including reverse osmosis, and is later enhanced with minerals for a consistent taste profile.

Key Points

Dasani's Source: Dasani is not spring water; its primary source is treated municipal tap water.
Purification Process: The water undergoes a multi-stage purification process, including reverse osmosis and ozonation, to remove impurities.
Mineral Enhancement: After purification, a proprietary blend of minerals is added back to the water to enhance and standardize its taste.
Consistent Flavor: Unlike spring water, Dasani's purification and mineral blend ensures a uniform taste across all bottles.
No Spring Origin: Spring water is collected from a natural, underground spring, a fundamentally different source than Dasani's.
FDA Standard: The FDA classifies Dasani as “purified water,” a separate standard from “spring water”.

What is the Dasani Water Source?

Unlike spring water, which comes from a natural underground source and flows to the surface, Dasani begins as municipal tap water. Coca-Cola sources this water from local city water systems across the United States. This practice allows for a consistent and readily available supply, which is necessary for a high-volume product sold globally. While the starting point is often the same water that comes out of a household faucet, the crucial distinction lies in the extensive treatment process that follows.

The Purification Process: From Tap to Bottle

Dasani's production process is a key differentiator from spring water. The multi-barrier treatment system is designed to strip the water of impurities and provide a uniform product regardless of its origin.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the Dasani purification process:

Source Collection: Water is collected from municipal supplies.
Pre-Filtration: The water is initially filtered to remove larger particles and impurities.
Nano-Filtration: A finer filtration stage further removes unwanted elements and compounds.
Reverse Osmosis: This critical step forces water through a semi-permeable membrane at a molecular level, effectively removing most dissolved solids, inorganic minerals, and contaminants. It is a powerful purification technique that NASA uses for fluids on spacecraft.
Ozonation: The water is disinfected using ozone gas, a powerful sanitizing agent that leaves no chemical residue.
Re-Mineralization: After purification, a proprietary blend of minerals is added back into the water to enhance its taste.

Dasani's Mineral Enhancement

Spring water's characteristic taste comes from the natural minerals it absorbs as it passes through the earth. Dasani, on the other hand, adds a specific blend of minerals after the purification process is complete to achieve its signature taste. This allows the company to ensure that every bottle of Dasani has a consistent flavor profile, unlike spring water, which can vary slightly depending on its specific geographic source. The blend typically includes trace amounts of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), potassium chloride, and sodium chloride (table salt). While the presence of salt has been a point of discussion, the amount is dietarily insignificant according to Coca-Cola.

The Difference Between Dasani and Spring Water

To understand why Dasani is not spring water, it helps to compare the two side-by-side. The fundamental difference lies in the source and the processing method, which affects the final taste and mineral content.


Feature	Dasani	Spring Water
Source	Municipal water supplies	Natural underground springs
Processing	Multi-barrier filtration, reverse osmosis, and ozonation	Often filtered for safety, but with natural minerals retained
Mineral Content	Minerals added back after purification for a consistent taste	Naturally occurring minerals from its source
Taste Profile	Consistent, proprietary taste across all bottles	Can vary slightly based on the specific spring's mineral composition
Regulation	Regulated by the FDA as “purified water”	Regulated by the FDA as “spring water”

Why Not Just Drink Tap Water?

This is a common question, as Dasani starts as municipal water. While many municipal water supplies are safe to drink, bottled water is a choice based on several factors, including convenience, consistent taste, and perceived purity. Coca-Cola argues that its process offers a higher level of purification than standard municipal treatment, removing certain dissolved solids and impurities that can remain in tap water. The added minerals also provide a specific taste that consumers may prefer over their local tap water. For consumers on the go or in areas with questionable tap water quality, bottled water provides a reliable and portable hydration option.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Dasani's Source

In short, the answer to the question "Is Dasani bottled water spring water?" is a definitive no. Dasani is a brand of purified, enhanced water. Its journey begins as ordinary municipal tap water, which is then subjected to a rigorous, multi-step purification process, including reverse osmosis, to achieve a high level of purity. A specific blend of minerals is then added back to create a consistent, trademarked flavor. This stands in stark contrast to spring water, which is bottled directly from an underground source and contains naturally occurring minerals. While Dasani's origin is different from what some consumers might expect, the company is transparent about its purification process, which is the key to understanding the product. For those seeking true spring water, other brands explicitly labeled as such would be the correct choice.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For a detailed explanation of the Dasani process directly from the company, visit the Coca-Cola water quality report.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Dasani's initial source is often municipal tap water, it is not simply bottled untreated tap water. It undergoes a robust multi-stage purification process, including reverse osmosis, to remove impurities before being bottled.

The main difference is the source and processing. Spring water comes from a naturally occurring underground spring, while purified water, like Dasani, can come from any source (like tap water) but is processed to remove chemicals and impurities.

Dasani adds a proprietary blend of minerals, including magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride, to create a consistent and uniform taste profile that customers expect from the brand.

Yes, Dasani adds trace amounts of sodium chloride (table salt) as part of its mineral blend to enhance taste. According to Coca-Cola, the amount is dietarily insignificant.

Yes, the FDA has separate standards for different types of bottled water. Dasani is regulated as "purified water," whereas water from a natural spring is regulated as "spring water".

No, one of the key benefits of Dasani's extensive purification and re-mineralization process is that it provides a consistent taste regardless of the local water source.

Dasani has faced controversy, particularly during its UK launch in 2004, when media reports highlighted its tap water origin and a subsequent recall occurred due to bromate contamination. This has led to ongoing public scrutiny about its tap water source and pricing.