Taste and Customer Opinions: A Polarizing Topic
Customer reviews for Great Value natural spring water are often sharply divided, reflecting a wide range of personal experiences. Some long-term consumers praise its clean, fresh taste and consistently reliable quality, especially given its budget-friendly price point. For these shoppers, it represents a satisfying and economical choice for daily hydration needs.
However, another segment of the consumer base reports negative experiences, citing a strange aftertaste, sometimes described as plastic-like or foul. Some have even noted finding particulates floating in the water, though this appears to be an uncommon and likely batch-specific issue. Factors such as the bottling plant, transportation conditions, and the age of the product can all influence the final taste and quality. A shift in sourcing can also change the flavor profile significantly.
Sourcing and Processing for Great Value Spring Water
Despite its low price, the natural spring water from Great Value isn't just tap water. Walmart sources its spring water from various locations, including sources in Canada and different U.S. states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, which may explain variations in taste and mineral content. The Canadian version, for instance, has been documented as sourced from Grey County, Ontario. To ensure safety, the water undergoes purification processes, such as ozonation, which uses ozone to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
Great Value Spring Water vs. Purified Water: A Key Difference
It's important to distinguish between Great Value's spring water and its purified drinking water. Spring water comes from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the Earth's surface. It must be collected at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation. Purified water, on the other hand, is sourced from municipal water and undergoes extensive treatment, such as distillation or reverse osmosis, to remove contaminants and minerals. Some of Great Value's purified water has added minerals for taste.
Quality Concerns: Microplastics and Disinfection Byproducts
Recent independent testing has raised some concerns regarding the quality of Great Value water. A specific test on the purified water found microplastics and disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as total trihalomethanes (THMs), though the levels were below the EPA's maximum contaminant level. It's worth noting that microplastics are a widespread issue across many bottled water brands, not unique to Great Value. A separate test found a sample of the spring water had a slightly acidic pH of 6.92, which is still within a healthy range.
Commonly found contaminants include:
- Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs): Byproducts of the water disinfection process, with levels often varying by batch and bottling facility.
- Microplastics: Nearly ubiquitous in most bottled water due to packaging and handling.
- Potential Particulates: Some customer reports mention visible floating particles, a rare but concerning issue that might indicate batch contamination.
Great Value Spring Water vs. Competing Brands
To put Great Value's value proposition into perspective, let's compare it to a few other popular bottled water brands. While taste is subjective, objective measures like sourcing, pH, and price can provide a clearer picture.
| Feature | Great Value Natural Spring Water | Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water | Aquafina Purified Drinking Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | Multiple North American springs | Multiple North American springs | Public water sources, purified |
| Taste Profile | Varies; some report clean taste, others mention plastic aftertaste | Generally well-regarded, mineral-forward taste | Clean, taste-added profile from minerals |
| pH Level | Neutral to slightly acidic (~6.92 based on one test) | Neutral to slightly alkaline (~6.80 based on one test) | Slightly acidic (~6.31 based on one test) |
| Processing | Ozonation | Ozonation | Extensive purification (reverse osmosis) |
| Price | Typically among the most affordable options | Slightly higher than Great Value | Comparable to other major brands, higher than Great Value |
| Overall Value | High, assuming consistent taste and quality | Good, often praised for taste | Fair, higher price for purified water |
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether Great Value natural spring water is "good" depends on your priorities. If you are looking for an affordable, convenient, and readily available option, and you find the taste acceptable, then it offers high value for the price. The quality standards are typically in line with FDA regulations, and the ozonation process ensures it is microbiologically safe to drink.
However, if you are particularly sensitive to taste variations, concerned about microplastics or potential contaminants, or prefer a specific mineral profile, you might find more satisfaction with a more premium or consistently sourced brand like Crystal Geyser. For the average consumer simply seeking budget-friendly hydration, Great Value remains a popular and reliable choice despite the occasional negative review. To make a definitive judgment for your own taste, the best approach may be to try a bottle yourself. You can review Walmart's official water quality reports on their corporate website for further information on their quality standards.
