What Kind of Water Does Primo Have?

According to Primo Water, the company provides a wide variety of bottled water options to suit individual needs, tastes, and preferences. Beyond its popular purified water, Primo also offers alkaline, distilled, and spring water, among other types, sourced from municipal supplies or natural springs.

Quick Summary

Primo Water offers a diverse portfolio including purified, alkaline, and distilled water, each processed to meet high quality standards. Their purified and alkaline products, often enhanced with minerals for taste, undergo rigorous multi-stage filtration, like reverse osmosis and UV sanitization, while options like spring water maintain a natural mineral profile.

Key Points

• Purified with Minerals: Primo's most common offering is purified water that undergoes a multi-stage process, including reverse osmosis, and has minerals added back for taste.

• Alkaline Water Available: For those seeking specific hydration benefits, Primo offers Primo Plus, an alkaline water with a high pH of 9.5.

• Natural Spring Water: Primo also provides spring water, sourced directly from natural springs, which retains its natural mineral content for a distinct taste.

• Distilled Water: The product line includes distilled water, which is completely free of minerals and impurities, making it ideal for certain appliances and uses.

• Different Processes for Refill vs. Exchange: While both are purified, the pre-filled Exchange bottles receive additional ozonation and mineral treatment compared to the water from self-serve Refill stations.

• Reduces Waste: By encouraging the use of reusable 3 and 5-gallon jugs, Primo's model significantly reduces single-use plastic waste.

Primo Water is a leading provider of sustainable drinking water solutions, offering several water types to meet a variety of consumer preferences. The company is known for its refill and exchange stations, but its product line extends to home and office delivery, with different water types produced and bottled to meet specific quality standards. The key to understanding what kind of water Primo has is to look at their purification process and the different products available through their services.

The Purification Process: What Makes Primo Water Clean?

For its purified water offerings, which make up a significant portion of its product line, Primo utilizes a multi-step purification process to ensure high-quality, clean water. This rigorous approach is designed to remove or significantly reduce a wide array of contaminants commonly found in municipal water sources, which serve as the starting point for some of their products.

The Purification Steps

1. Filtration: Initial filtration removes larger particles and sediment, providing a cleaner base for the next stages.
2. Reverse Osmosis (RO): Often the core of Primo's purification, this advanced process forces water through a semipermeable membrane. This membrane is designed to leave behind unwanted chemicals, salts, heavy metals, and other impurities.
3. Deionization or Distillation: In some cases, water may undergo deionization or distillation for further purification. Distillation involves boiling the water and collecting the condensed steam, which leaves all impurities behind.
4. UV Sanitization: Ultraviolet sanitization is used to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, adding another layer of safety and quality assurance.
5. Ozonation: This step involves injecting ozone into the water for sterilization and to maintain freshness.
6. Mineral Addition for Taste: After purification, specific minerals like sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, and magnesium sulfate are added back into some purified products to create a clean, refreshing taste profile.

A Diverse Portfolio of Water Types

Beyond its standard purified water, Primo offers several specialized water products to cater to different health and taste preferences.

The Primo Product Range

• Purified Water with Added Minerals: This is Primo's signature offering for its exchange and refill stations. It is purified through the multi-stage process and has minerals added for an enhanced, crisp taste.
• Alkaline Water (Primo Plus): For health-conscious consumers, Primo offers Primo Plus, an alkaline water with a higher pH level, often around 9.5. The alkalinity is achieved by adding specific minerals to the purified water.
• Spring Water: Sourced from natural springs, this water is collected directly from the source and contains naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium, which give it a distinct taste.
• Distilled Water: This water is created by boiling and re-condensing the steam, resulting in a product free from minerals and other solids. It is ideal for small appliances, CPAP machines, and specific industrial applications.
• Fluoridated Water: In some regions, Primo offers fluoridated options where fluoride is added to purified or artesian water for dental health benefits.

Comparison of Primo Water Types

Feature	Primo Purified with Minerals	Primo Plus Alkaline Water	Primo Spring Water
Source	Municipal sources	Municipal sources	Natural springs
Purification	Multi-stage process including RO and UV sanitization	Multi-stage process, minerals added to increase pH	Naturally filtered through rock and soil
Mineral Content	Select minerals added for taste enhancement	Minerals added specifically to achieve higher pH	Contains naturally occurring minerals
pH Level	Neutral (approx. 7)	Alkaline (approx. 9.5 at bottling)	Typically neutral, varies by source
Primary Benefit	Great taste, high purity, and waste reduction	Enhanced hydration, potential health benefits	Natural, crisp taste from a specific source
Best For	Everyday drinking, cooking, and dispensing	Health-conscious individuals seeking a higher pH	Those who prefer a natural mineral profile and taste

Is Primo Water Right for You?

Choosing the right Primo water depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you are looking for reliably clean, great-tasting water for daily consumption, the purified option with added minerals is an excellent choice. If you are focused on optimizing hydration with a higher pH level, the Primo Plus alkaline water is designed for that purpose. For those who enjoy a mineral-rich profile from a natural source, spring water is the way to go. Distilled water is the purest option, best reserved for appliances or specific needs, not general hydration.

Primo's convenient exchange and refill program, which allows customers to swap empty 3- or 5-gallon jugs for full ones, also contributes to a sustainable lifestyle by significantly reducing the use of single-serve plastic bottles. This eco-conscious approach, combined with their diverse product line, makes Primo a popular option for many households and offices.

Conclusion

In summary, Primo offers more than just one type of water. Through a sophisticated and multi-stage purification system, the company produces purified water, which serves as the foundation for several other product lines, including alkaline, distilled, and fluoridated options. By also providing natural spring water, Primo ensures a wide selection for different consumer tastes and applications. Whether you prioritize purity, specific mineral content, or convenience, Primo's diverse range has a water type suitable for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Multi-Stage Purification: Primo's purified water undergoes a rigorous process including reverse osmosis, UV sanitization, and ozonation to remove contaminants.
• Minerals for Taste: To enhance flavor, purified water sold in pre-filled jugs has select minerals like calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate added back in.
• Wide Product Range: Primo offers several water types beyond purified, including spring, distilled, and alkaline water (Primo Plus).
• Alkaline for Enhanced Hydration: Primo Plus alkaline water has a pH of 9.5 and is formulated with added minerals for a higher pH level and crisp taste.
• Sustainably Focused: Choosing Primo's reusable exchange and refill bottles can help significantly reduce single-use plastic waste.
• Clear Labeling: The water type can be identified on the pre-filled bottles, and Primo also provides specific information at its refill stations.
• Sourced from Various Points: Primo's water originates from either municipal sources (for purified varieties) or natural springs, depending on the product.

FAQs

Question: Is Primo water just filtered tap water? Answer: No, Primo water undergoes a multi-stage purification process that goes far beyond standard tap water treatment. The process uses advanced technologies like reverse osmosis and UV sanitization to remove or significantly reduce contaminants.

Question: Does Primo water contain minerals? Answer: Yes, Primo's purified bottled water has select minerals, including calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium sulfate, added back in for a great taste. Their spring and alkaline varieties also contain minerals.

Question: What is the difference between Primo Exchange and Refill water? Answer: Both Exchange and Refill water are purified with reverse osmosis and sterilization. However, the pre-filled Exchange bottles include additional filtration, mineral addition, and ozonation for freshness, while the self-serve Refill stations only provide purified water with nothing added.

Question: Is Primo water safe for babies and baby formula? Answer: Primo's purified water, especially from their sanitized dispensers, is considered a high-quality option for mixing baby formula. However, distilled water is often recommended for medical devices and sensitive preparations due to its complete lack of minerals. Always follow medical professional advice for baby formula preparation.

Question: Where does Primo water get its water from? Answer: Primo sources its water from a combination of municipal water supplies, wells, artesian wells, and natural springs, depending on the specific water product and location.

Question: Does Primo water taste like chemicals or plastic? Answer: Some users have reported a chemical or plastic taste, but this is often related to the dispenser itself or a specific batch issue. The purification process is designed to remove such tastes, and flushing a new dispenser can resolve many of these issues.

Question: How does Primo help with sustainability? Answer: Primo focuses on reducing plastic waste through its reusable 3- and 5-gallon bottles. Each bottle is sanitized and can be reused many times, with the company stating that one 5-gallon bottle can save up to 1,500 single-serve plastic bottles from landfills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Primo purified water safe to drink?

Yes, Primo purified water is considered safe to drink. It undergoes a multi-stage purification process that includes filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet sanitization to ensure high quality and safety standards.

Does Primo water have fluoride?

While Primo's standard purified water has no detectable levels of fluoride, the company offers specific fluoridated water products in some regions, available for delivery or exchange.

What is the difference between alkaline and purified Primo water?

Primo purified water is highly filtered to remove impurities and then has select minerals added for taste. Primo alkaline water (Primo Plus) is also purified but has different minerals added to achieve a higher pH level, typically around 9.5.

Can I use Primo distilled water in my humidifier?

Yes, Primo distilled water is ideal for use in humidifiers, steam irons, and other small appliances because the distillation process removes all minerals and impurities that can cause scaling and residue buildup.

Where does Primo get its water source for purification?

Primo obtains its water from municipal sources for its purified products. This water is then treated and filtered at their facilities to remove contaminants and ensure purity.

What minerals are added to Primo purified water?

According to Primo, they add food-grade minerals like calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium sulfate back into their purified bottled water for taste.

Can I get my empty Primo bottles delivered and picked up?

Yes, Primo's Water Direct delivery service provides water directly to homes and businesses, with representatives typically picking up empty bottles during the delivery of fresh ones.