Where Does Aldi Aqua Vale Water Come From? The Source Revealed

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Did you know that Aldi's Aqua Vale spring water is primarily sourced from Elmhurst Spring in Staffordshire, UK? This has been the case since 2012, when a contract was awarded to Aqua Direct, a subsidiary of South Staffordshire water utilities.

Quick Summary

Aldi's Aqua Vale spring water for the UK is sourced from Elmhurst Spring in Staffordshire and bottled by Aqua Direct. In Ireland, a different supplier is used, while US Aldi products differ. The spring water is minimally treated and is part of Aldi's broader sustainability and sourcing strategy.

Key Points

Staffordshire Origin: Aldi's Aqua Vale spring water for the UK is primarily sourced from Elmhurst Spring in Lichfield, Staffordshire, a detail confirmed by a 2012 contract.
Supplier is Aqua Direct: The water is bottled by Aqua Direct, a subsidiary of South Staffordshire water utilities.
Regional Differences in Supply: For Ireland, a separate supplier like Glenpatrick Spring Water has been used, demonstrating Aldi's varied sourcing strategy.
Not the Same as US Brand: Aqua Vale is distinct from the US-based PurAqua brand, which is bottled by Niagara and is purified water.
Bottled at the Source: As a spring water, it is bottled directly at its origin with minimal treatment, preserving its natural mineral content.
Sustainability Initiatives: Aldi has a water strategy aimed at reducing consumption and uses recycled plastic for its bottled water packaging.

The Primary Source: Elmhurst Spring in Staffordshire

For consumers in the UK, the source of Aldi's popular own-brand Aqua Vale spring water can be traced to a specific and well-documented location: boreholes near Lichfield, in Staffordshire. The water is extracted from the Elmhurst Spring and bottled by Aqua Direct, a mineral water subsidiary of the utilities group South Staffordshire. This arrangement was established following a major contract in 2012, solidifying the water's origin for UK Aldi stores.

A Tale of Two Brands: UK vs. US Water

It is important to differentiate between Aldi's offerings in different regions, as the sourcing and brand names vary. The Aqua Vale brand is specific to the UK market, while in the United States, Aldi sells water under the 'PurAqua' brand. The US PurAqua is bottled by a different company, Niagara, and is typically purified water rather than spring water. This distinction is key for customers looking for specific sourcing information, as the origin of the water depends heavily on geographical location.

How Aqua Vale Gets from Source to Shelf

The process of bringing Aqua Vale water to Aldi shelves is straightforward. The water is drawn from boreholes at Elmhurst Spring and then bottled at Aqua Direct's plant near Lichfield. As a Natural Spring Water, it is bottled at the source with minimal intervention to preserve its natural mineral profile. This differs from purified water, which undergoes extensive treatment like reverse osmosis to remove most dissolved solids. Flavoured versions of Aqua Vale, however, have additional ingredients such as citric acid, flavourings, and sweeteners.

Aldi's Commitment to Sustainability

Aldi has been proactive in addressing its environmental footprint, including its water usage and packaging. Since 2022, Aldi UK and Ireland have implemented a comprehensive Water Strategy to improve water efficiency and stewardship practices.

Here are some key aspects of Aldi's sustainability efforts:

Reduction in Water Consumption: Aldi has been working to implement water reduction initiatives, achieving a 7.4% reduction in water use per square meter between 2020 and 2022.
Advanced Monitoring: All UK distribution centers are equipped with Automatic Meter Readers to provide live data on water usage patterns and identify areas for reduction.
Recycled Packaging: The retailer has incorporated 30% recycled plastic (rPet) in its own-brand bottled water and has switched to clear caps, which are easier to recycle.
Rainwater Harvesting: New distribution centres are designed with rainwater harvesting systems to conserve water.

The Irish Supplier: A Note on Regionality

While the Staffordshire source is the main one for UK Aqua Vale, it is worth noting that Aldi uses different suppliers in other regions. In Ireland, for instance, a deal was announced with Glenpatrick Spring Water in 2023. This highlights how large supermarket chains often use a network of regional suppliers to fulfill the demand for their own-label products.

Aqua Vale vs. Other Aldi Water Brands

To clarify the difference between Aldi's various water options, here is a comparison table outlining some key distinctions:


Feature	Aqua Vale (UK)	PurAqua (US)	Everyday Essentials (UK)
Sourcing	Elmhurst Spring, Staffordshire	Niagara (and others)	UK Regional Sources
Water Type	Natural Spring Water	Purified Water	Spring Water
Target Market	UK & sometimes other European regions	USA	UK (Budget-focused)
Treatment	Minimal processing	Reverse Osmosis, Ozonation	Minimal processing

Conclusion: The Source and Standards Behind Aqua Vale

For UK consumers, the answer to "where does Aldi Aqua Vale water come from?" is clear: it originates from Elmhurst Spring in Staffordshire and is bottled by Aqua Direct. This dedicated sourcing and bottling process ensures a consistent spring water product. Aldi's use of regional suppliers, like Glenpatrick in Ireland, and different brands, like PurAqua in the US, demonstrates the complexity of its global supply chain. Furthermore, the company's public commitment to water sustainability and packaging innovation underscores a broader environmental responsibility. So, while enjoying a bottle of Aqua Vale, you are drinking water with a verifiable UK origin and an increasingly eco-conscious sourcing history.

For more information on Aldi's environmental initiatives, you can visit the company's official corporate responsibility page on their UK website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Aqua Vale brand and its specific source (Elmhurst Spring in Staffordshire) are for the UK and potentially other European regions. The US Aldi brand, PurAqua, is sourced and bottled by a different company, Niagara.

Both are Aldi's own-brand waters in the UK. While Aqua Vale is sourced from Elmhurst Spring, Everyday Essentials is a budget-tier product that may be sourced from different regional suppliers.

Aqua Vale is specifically labeled and sourced as natural spring water. This means it comes from an underground source and is bottled with minimal intervention, unlike purified water which is heavily processed.

Yes, Aldi has taken steps to incorporate 30% recycled plastic (rPet) into its own-brand drinks, including Aqua Vale. They also use clearer caps that are easier to recycle.

The flavoured Aqua Vale products use the same base spring water but have added ingredients. These include flavourings, sweeteners, and preservatives to create the different taste profiles.

As a private label product, Aldi works closely with its suppliers and implements its own quality assurance measures. The water, sourced from a regulated utility subsidiary, is subject to consistent monitoring.

The use of different brand names like PurAqua in the US allows Aldi to work with different suppliers in various markets. For instance, the US PurAqua is bottled by Niagara, a different company from the UK's supplier.