What’s In Your Bottled Water? How Different Purification Methods Affect Drinking Water Quality
Bottled water keeps us hydrated, provides relief in the aftermath of disasters and so much more. Because bottled water is such an ever-present part of modern life, it is good to be informed about where your water comes from and how it is purified. So what’s on your bottle water label, and what does it mean? Let’s dive in.
What do bottled water labels mean?
Spring Water
Spring water flows from a natural underground water source. It is collected at the spring or through a sterile borehole.
Mineral Water
Mineral water also come from a protected underground source. Because it’s naturally rich in minerals, it isn’t treated.
Artesian Water
Artesian water is groundwater under positive pressure. Water from an artesian aquifer flows naturally to the surface without the necessity of a pump.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water comes from a spring or well that contains dissolved carbon dioxide. This produces naturally carbonated water.
Purified Water
Purified water comes from a municipal source – a well or other public supply. It is filtered to remove impurities.
What processes are used to purify bottled water?
There are multiple options available for purifying water before bottling, but reverse osmosis (RO) and distillation are the most commonly employed methods.
Reverse Osmosis
The majority of water bottlers use reverse osmosis to eliminate contaminants from water before bottling. In RO, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane permits the minuscule water molecules to pass through while straining out impurities dissolved in the water. Reverse osmosis eliminates contaminants such as lead, pesticides, heavy metals, and fluorides, leaving the purest, cleanest tasting water for bottling.
Vapor Compression Distillation
Unlike RO, which relies on filtering out impurities, distillation boils the contaminants out of water for bottling. During the process of distillation, water is boiled until it becomes vapor. Then, it condenses back into its liquid form in a separate container. Inorganic minerals, metals, and other contaminants remain in the original container, leaving only clean water for bottling.
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MECO is a leading provider of pure water for bottling companies
The MECO global portfolio includes the broadest range of engineered products for purified water and distilled water. Our pioneering products and solutions ensure the purest bottled water on the market, and our decades of experience guarantee we understand the critical nature of maximized up-time for your operations. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you tap into the bottled water industry.