Natural source waters come from protected underground sources that are free from pollution and are safe to drink at source without chemical treatment. These can be natural mineral water, spring water or bottled drinking water.

As natural source waters must be safe to drink from source without chemical treatment, producers must start by ensuring the water and the land around the water source is free from pollution to guarantee the quality of the product. It can take years between finding a source and the water from it being made ready for sale.

Once the source has been tested and the water is safe to drink, the water is abstracted from an underground borehole and screened or filtered to remove any particles. The water is then bottled or packaged and is ready for consumption.

Natural source waters are classified as a food product and have to be tested regularly at the source, during bottling, and before leaving the bottling plant. As such, they must comply with strict EU and national food safety requirements, as well as industry guides to good hygiene and manufacturing practices. It is a legal requirement in the EU and UK for each batch of bottled water to be traceable, like any other food product. For every batch, it is possible to trace the specific results for quality and the safety controls that were carried out during and after production.

The Natural Source Waters Association represents producers of natural source waters. Membership includes the majority of natural source water producers in the UK as well as leading importers. We are dedicated to promoting natural source waters that gives choice to consumers when it comes to the healthiest way to hydrate. On behalf of our members we strive to ensure that the category perspective is understood by media as well as policymakers in Westminster, Scotland and Wales.

The Natural Source Waters Association was formerly known as the Natural Hydration Council and changed its name in October 2019.