Was Evian the First Bottled Water? The Surprising History of a Global Staple

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

The first commercial bottling of water began in England in 1622, over two hundred years before Evian established its bottling facility. While the Evian brand is a global icon today, its entry into the market followed a long and fascinating history of bottled water pioneers.

Quick Summary

Despite its iconic status, Evian was not the first commercially bottled water, which actually emerged centuries earlier from medicinal spa culture, predating the modern beverage market.

Key Points

Evian wasn't first: Commercial water bottling began in England with the Holy Well in 1622, over two centuries before Evian's 1826 bottling facility.
Spa Culture Origins: The early demand for bottled water was fueled by the popularity of medicinal spa towns in Europe and America among the wealthy.
Medicinal to Mainstream: Bottled water transitioned from a medicinal, luxury item for the upper class to a mass-market product thanks to the advent of lightweight plastic bottles in the 1970s.
US Firsts: The first commercially distributed bottled water in America was Jackson's Spa in Boston (1767), predating Poland Spring (1845) and the widespread import of brands like Evian.
Marketing Matters: Modern marketing efforts by brands like Perrier and Evian in the late 20th century positioned bottled water as a healthy, fashionable beverage, driving its explosive growth.

The concept of bottling water has a long history, predating the Evian brand. Early motivations were linked to perceived health benefits and the value of clean water during a time when urban water sources were often contaminated. The first recorded commercial bottling operation started in 1622 at the Holy Well in Malvern, England, where the water was sold for its therapeutic qualities.

The Age of Spa Culture and Early Commercial Bottling

For centuries, bottled water was considered a luxury item. Wealthy individuals would travel to European spa towns or have the curative waters delivered to their homes, believing the mineral-rich water could cure ailments. This spa culture was a key driver of the early bottled water industry.

Milestones in Early Bottled Water History:

1622: Holy Well, England, begins the first recorded commercial water bottling.
1767: Jackson's Spa in Boston is the first commercially distributed bottled water in America.
1783: Jacob Schweppe starts bottling artificially carbonated water.
1826: Evian's first bottling facility is established in France.
1845: Poland Spring is founded in Maine.

Evian's Place in History

Evian's story began in 1789 when the Marquis de Lessert found the Cachat spring water beneficial. A thermal spa opened in 1806, and bottling started in 1826. This was significantly later than the initial commercial bottling ventures in Europe and America. Evian gained significant international traction, especially with its marketing in the U.S. in the late 1970s, coinciding with the fitness trend and plastic bottles.

The Evolution of the Bottled Water Market

Improvements in bottling technology during the 19th century allowed for larger-scale production. However, the introduction of public water chlorination in the 20th century temporarily reduced bottled water's popularity.

The modern bottled water industry grew significantly in the latter half of the 20th century. The development of PET plastic bottles in the 1970s made bottled water more affordable and easier to transport. Brands like Perrier and Evian then used strategic marketing to position bottled water as a healthy, fashionable beverage, competing with soft drinks.

Comparison of Early Bottled Water Brands


Brand	Origin	First Bottling	Key Marketing Angle	Modern Status
Holy Well	Malvern, England	1622	Medicinal properties from a sacred spring	Historic; one of the first
Harrogate Spring	Harrogate, England	1740	Spa town origins, perfectly balanced minerals	Oldest British bottled water brand
Jackson's Spa	Boston, USA	1767	Medicinal qualities from a popular local spring	Historic; first commercially sold in America
Evian	French Alps	1826	Natural mineral content, premium, 'Live Young'	Global market leader
Poland Spring	Maine, USA	1845	Natural spring water from Poland, Maine	Popular American bottled water brand
Perrier	Vergèze, France	c. 1863	Naturally carbonated mineral water, status symbol	Global sparkling water brand

The Role of Marketing and Modern Trends

Marketing has been essential to the modern bottled water industry, appealing to health concerns and aspirations. Evian's 'Live Young' campaign is an example of building a premium brand around wellness. However, the industry faces scrutiny over the environmental impact of plastic waste and transportation.

The Environmental Debate and the Future

The bottled water industry is now focused on sustainability, with efforts towards eco-friendly packaging and carbon neutrality. Consumers are increasingly considering the environmental costs alongside the benefits of bottled water, leading to a more diverse market with options like alkaline or boxed water.

Conclusion

Evian was not the first bottled water; that distinction belongs to the 17th-century spa towns of Europe. Evian started bottling in the 19th century and became a premium mineral water. The widespread popularity of bottled water today is largely a result of late 20th-century marketing and the introduction of plastic bottles, in which Evian played a significant part. The industry continues to evolve, influenced by consumer preferences, technology, and environmental considerations.

For more information on the broader history of bottled water, see the Wikipedia article on Bottled water.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Evian was not the first bottled water. The earliest known commercial bottled water was sold from the Holy Well in England, starting in 1622.

Evian began commercially bottling its water in 1826, from the Cachat spring in the French Alps.

In its early days, bottled water was primarily sold for its perceived health benefits and therapeutic properties, particularly for spa-goers.

The first commercially distributed bottled water in America was from Jackson's Spa in Boston, in 1767.

Bottled water became a mainstream product largely due to the introduction of affordable and lightweight PET plastic bottles in the 1970s and subsequent modern marketing campaigns.

Evian's iconic slogan, which emphasizes the brand's association with youthfulness and wellness, is 'Live Young'.

No, bottled waters differ in their source and treatment. Some are natural spring or mineral water (like Evian), while others are purified municipal water (like Aquafina or Dasani).