Nutrition Diet: Does bottled water have nickel in it?

October 5, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drinking water contains naturally occurring trace amounts of nickel, though typically at very low concentrations. This raises an important question for many on a specialized nutrition diet: does bottled water have nickel in it, and if so, is it a cause for concern?.

Quick Summary

Bottled water can contain trace nickel from natural sources, but levels generally fall within safe regulatory limits. Dietary intake from food is a much more significant source for most people, though those with nickel sensitivity should be aware.

Key Points

Trace Amounts are Normal: Like tap water, bottled water can contain very low levels of naturally occurring nickel due to the geology of the water's source.
Packaging is Not the Problem: Plastic bottles are not a major source of heavy metal contamination, including nickel, compared to other potential sources like metal plumbing.
Levels are Heavily Regulated: International and regional standards, like those from the WHO and EU, set strict limits on nickel in drinking water to ensure consumer safety.
Food is the Primary Source: For most people, dietary sources like grains, nuts, and chocolate contribute far more nickel than drinking water.
Sensitive Individuals Should Be Mindful: While low, nickel levels in bottled water may be a consideration for individuals with severe systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS), though it is generally not a significant source of exposure.
Monitoring is Robust: Modern water testing relies on highly sensitive techniques like ICP-MS to ensure that trace metal concentrations stay within safe limits.

Understanding Nickel in Our Environment

Nickel is a naturally occurring metal that is ubiquitous in the environment, found in soil, water, and air. It is also used widely in industrial applications, including the production of stainless steel, alloys, and batteries. For the vast majority of people, trace amounts of nickel from food and water pose no health risk. In fact, nickel is considered an essential micronutrient for some biological processes in plants and animals. However, high concentrations can be harmful, and for individuals with a nickel allergy, even low levels can trigger a reaction.

Sources of Nickel in Drinking Water

Nickel can enter drinking water from various natural and human-made sources. For bottled water, the presence of nickel is usually a function of the source water rather than the plastic container itself.

Natural vs. Anthropogenic Sources

Nickel enters water through several pathways, both natural and related to human activity.

Natural Weathering: The erosion of nickel-bearing rocks and soil can leach the metal into groundwater and surface water sources used for drinking water.
Industrial Activity: Discharges from industries like mining, smelting, metal plating, and fossil fuel burning are significant sources of nickel contamination.
Contaminated Groundwater: In areas with natural nickel deposits or industrial pollution, groundwater can contain elevated levels of the metal.

Leaching from Fittings and Packaging

For tap water, the primary source of higher nickel concentrations is often leaching from nickel-plated plumbing and taps, especially after the water has been stagnant for a period. In bottled water, studies show that plastic packaging is not a significant source of heavy metal leaching compared to other types of containers or plumbing materials.

Is there nickel in bottled water?

Yes, bottled water can contain trace amounts of nickel, but the levels are typically very low and generally within internationally recognized safety standards. These levels are almost always a result of the source water's composition, not the plastic bottle.

Studies across different regions have found varying concentrations of nickel in bottled water, often reporting values well below regulatory limits.
For example, data from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicates that while bottled water may have a slightly higher mean nickel content than tap water, it does not raise a health concern for the average consumer.
One study found that in specific bottled water samples, nickel concentrations ranged from 74.79 ± 9.83 µg/L to 89.08 ± 0.65 µg/L, which exceeded the WHO guideline of 20 µg/L (at the time). These instances, while noteworthy, are not representative of all bottled water and emphasize the importance of regulation and testing.

Comparing Nickel in Tap and Bottled Water


Feature	Bottled Water	Tap Water
Typical Sources of Nickel	Trace minerals from source (spring, mineral water).	Plumbing fittings (nickel-plated faucets, pipes) and source contamination.
Mean Nickel Content	European data showed a mean of 2.6 µg per 375g serving.	European data showed a mean of 0.4 µg per 375g serving, but can be higher depending on local pipes.
Leaching from Containers	Low leaching from plastic bottles.	High leaching possible from stagnant water in nickel-plated fixtures.
Regulatory Oversight	Governed by bottled water-specific regulations.	Governed by public drinking water regulations.
Primary Dietary Source	Minor contributor compared to food.	Can be a minor source, but primarily a concern from contaminated pipes.

Regulations and Health Considerations

To ensure consumer safety, health organizations and regulatory bodies set limits for nickel in drinking water. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently has a health-based guideline value of 70 micrograms per liter (µg/L) for nickel in drinking water. Regional regulations can be stricter; for instance, the European Union has a maximum limit of 20 µg/L for nickel in natural mineral water.

Non-Allergic Individuals

For most people, the trace amounts of nickel in bottled or tap water are not a health concern. The majority of nickel intake comes from dietary sources such as grains, nuts, beans, and chocolate, which contain much higher concentrations. The body's absorption of ingested nickel is relatively low, and most is excreted.

Nickel-Sensitive Individuals

Approximately 10% of the population has a nickel allergy, which can cause symptoms like dermatitis from contact or ingestion. For those with severe systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS), a low-nickel diet, overseen by a medical professional, may be necessary. The Nickel Institute notes that for individuals with SNAS, consuming bottled water is generally not a concern, as the levels are typically very low. Compared to nickel exposure from older tap water plumbing or certain foods, bottled water presents a minimal risk.

Monitoring and Testing

To enforce safety standards, heavy metals in drinking water are regularly monitored and tested. Modern analytical techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are highly sensitive and can detect even minute concentrations of metals like nickel. These testing methods ensure that bottled water manufacturers and municipal water suppliers stay within acceptable regulatory limits.

The Role of Packaging and Storage

The composition of the bottled water container itself plays a minimal role in nickel levels. Plastic bottles are not a significant source of nickel leaching. However, the materials used in manufacturing and processing can introduce trace metals. Stainless steel equipment, which often contains nickel, is used in many industrial applications, including food and beverage processing. However, high-quality manufacturing practices minimize this transfer, and for most consumers, it is not a health concern.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Ultimately, trace amounts of nickel are a naturally occurring component of the environment and can be present in bottled water, as they are in tap water. Reputable brands of bottled water must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines, and extensive testing confirms that nickel levels are typically low and safe for the general population. For those concerned about nickel intake due to an allergy or personal preference, it is important to remember that dietary sources are a far more significant contributor than water. For most, the choice between bottled and tap water in relation to nickel is not a primary health factor, though individuals with sensitivities should consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice on dietary management. Resources like the Nickel Institute offer more guidance for those with specific concerns.

For more detailed information on managing a low-nickel diet, you can explore resources such as the Nickel Institute's Human Health Fact Sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nickel in bottled water primarily originates from the natural environment, leaching into the water from rock and soil at the source. It is not typically from the plastic bottle itself.

Yes, for the average consumer, the amount of nickel found in bottled water is considered safe. Regulatory bodies like the WHO and EU set limits to ensure concentrations remain below levels that would pose a health risk.

Tap water can have both higher and lower mean concentrations than bottled water depending on location and plumbing materials. Notably, nickel-plated fixtures can cause tap water to have higher levels, especially after water has been stagnant.

For most people, there are minimal health risks from consuming trace amounts of nickel in water. However, for individuals with a nickel allergy, exposure can cause skin reactions. Inhalation exposure is a much greater health concern than ingestion.

Yes. According to the Nickel Institute, consuming bottled water is generally not a concern for individuals with systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS), as the nickel levels are typically low.

Bottled water is tested using advanced analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), which can accurately measure trace element concentrations to ensure they meet regulatory standards.

For most individuals, food is the largest source of dietary nickel. Certain foods like grains, legumes, and chocolate contain significantly higher concentrations of nickel than water.