FAQs

1. Is there a difference between mineral water, spring water and bottled drinking water?

Both natural mineral water and spring water (natural source waters) must:

  • Originate from a natural, protected and specific underground source
  • Be bottled at source
  • Be microbiologically safe to drink without treatment.

The main difference between natural mineral water and spring water is the requirement of natural mineral water to have a stable and characteristic mineral composition.

Producers of naturally sourced waters are stewards of the land and because these natural waters must be free from contamination, the aquifers from which they are drawn must be unpolluted and the source protected.

Bottled drinking water, sometimes known as table water or purified water, is drinking water which is bottled, and is neither spring water nor natural mineral water. It can come from a variety of sources, including municipal supplies.

2. How is natural source water different to tap water?

The majority bottled water of sold in this country are natural source waters (Zenith International, UK Bottled Water Report, June 2018) and come from protected, natural underground sources. Each natural source water has a unique character and composition. The rock strata within each aquifer determines the mineral composition of the water that passes through it, which explains why there are so many different naturally sourced bottled waters. All natural source waters legally have to be bottled at source.

Tap water can come from a wide range of sources and is chemically treated. It needs to contain chlorine, so it can travel safely from the water treatment works to the tap, and therefore requires a different set of regulations to ensure its safety.

For more information see our ‘Difference between natural source waters and tap water’ section.

3. I’ve heard that natural source waters are ‘less safe’ than tap water. Is this true?

No. Natural source waters and all bottled water are completely safe to drink.

Tap water and natural source waters are two different products which require very different processes, but this doesn’t mean that natural source waters is ‘less safe’. Natural source waters comes from carefully selected underground sources which are safe to consume at source otherwise the water cannot be sold. Natural source watersare classified as a food product and have to be tested regularly at the source, during bottling, and before leaving the bottling plant.

Tap water can come from a wide range of sources and is chemically treated. It needs to contain chlorine, so it can travel safely from the water treatment works to the tap, and therefore requires a different set of regulations to ensure its safety.

Natural source watersare a food product and as such, must comply with strict EU and national food safety requirements, as well as industry guides to good hygiene and manufacturing practices. They have to be frequently tested at the ingredient level (the source) and finished product level (bottles) and cannot be released for sale until the results for each batch show it is safe for human consumption. Because of the food specificity of natural source waters, the frequency of controls prior, during and after the production are high. This means natural source watersare subject to a significant number of individual tests, amounting to hundreds or thousands of tests each year for every brand of natural source waters sold in the UK.

4. How can you ensure natural source waters are free from contamination?

Natural source waters must be safe for consumption in their natural state at source. To ensure absence of contamination, producers have long been committed to source protection. Protection zones around catchment areas cover up to thousands of hectares. Natural source water producers also test regularly at source, during bottling and before water leaves the bottling site in order to meet all legal safety regulations and ensure their products are of the highest possible quality.

5. How often are natural source waters tested?

Natural source waters are tested regularly at the source, during bottling and before leaving the site.  Because of the food specificity of natural source waters, the frequency of controls prior, during and after the production are high. This means natural source waters are subject to a significant number of individual tests, amounting to hundreds or thousands of tests each year for every brand of natural source waters sold in the UK.

6. Is there BPA in natural source waters?

Natural source waters are packaged in PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic. There is no Bisphenol A (BPA) used in the manufacturing of PET plastic. PET is the main packaging used for beverages, it is completely safe and complies with all European and national legal requirements.

7. I have heard it is dangerous to drink water from a plastic bottle that has been left in a car or that has been frozen, is that true?

No. There are no carcinogens in PET plastic. It is a myth that a plastic bottle left in a car or freezing the water in a plastic bottle will leach carcinogens into the water. The health scare began in 2002 when a Japanese television programme broadcast a theory that freezing water in plastic bottles was unsafe. This claim has since been discredited by Cancer Research UK.

8. What about if a bottle remains in storage?

Like any food product, storage can affect the quality of natural source waters. Natural source waters should be stored in a clean cool dry place away from light, strong odours and chemicals. Natural source waters producers will also provide a best before date on the bottle, which should be followed.

9. How quickly should natural source waters be consumed after opening?

Once opened it is recommended that natural source waters should be consumed within a few days, especially if the bottle has been drunk from directly. In some instances food and/ or saliva can transfer micro-organisms into the water which can eventually change its taste or spoil it.

10. How do you know that the bottle hasn’t been tampered with?

As with any packaged food product, if the seal is broken it is advised that you do not consume it.

11. Can bottled water be traced?

Yes. 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 of bottles it is possible to trace the specific results for quality and the safety controls that were carried out during and after production

12. What is the average cost of a bottle of water?

The average price of a bottle of water is 47p per litre IRI Total Market, plain bottled water 05.12.15

It is also worth noting that 20% of what you pay is VAT. Price and availability of water is often dictated by the place of purchase and typically there is a range of choices available – from “value range” waters up to more premium brands.

13. Where do I find the legislation regulating natural mineral water and spring water?

Framework legislation includes:

14. Where do I find the legislation regulating tap water?

The Drinking Water Directive (DWD), Council Directive 98/83/EC, sets quality standards for drinking water quality at the tap (microbiological, chemical and organoleptic parameters) and the general obligation that drinking water must be wholesome and clean.

  • Natural source waters represent 10% of CO2 emissions of the soft drinks category while making up 20% in volume