| Types of Bottled Water |
All bottled water companies are required to state the source that they collect their water from. In most cases, bottled water products are required to go through a disinfection process, unless they purchased their source water from approved, potable water sources (Such as municipal water suppliers.) Most companies either use the ozone or ultraviolet method to disinfect the water because it does not leave an odor nor taste in the water.
Bottled water is categorized by the source of the water and its treatment process.
According to NSF, the FDA established a "Standards of Identity" for bottled water to categorize bottled water in the following categories: |
 | Artesian Water
Originates from a confined aquifer that has been tapped and in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer. |
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 | Fluoridated
Contains fluoride added within FDA limitations. It may be labeled as "For Infants" or "Nursery". |
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 | Mineral Water
Naturally contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids (TDS). No minerals may be added to this water. |
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 | Distilled Water
It is produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes. It meets the definition of "purified water" in the Unites States Pharmacopoeia. |
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 | Spring Water
This type of water comes from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the Earth's surface. |
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 | Sparkling Bottled Water
Water that after treatment, and possible replacement with carbon dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had as it emerged from the source. Sparkling bottled waters may be labeled as "sparkling drinking water," "sparkling mineral water," "sparkling spring water," etc. |
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 | Well Water
Bottled water from a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground, which taps the water aquifer. |
