What is artesian water?
Water drawn from a confined aquifer — an underground layer of permeable rock or sand sandwiched between impermeable layers — under enough natural pressure that the water rises toward the surface on its own.
American Artesian Water Sources
Artesian water comes from a confined aquifer where underground pressure naturally pushes water toward the surface. The US has several world-class artesian regions.
Hawaii
Waiakea — bottled from a volcanic aquifer on the Big Island of Hawaii, naturally filtered through thousands of feet of porous lava rock. Naturally alkaline and silica-rich.
Arkansas
Protected artesian and mountain-fed aquifers in the Ouachita range feed Mountain Valley and other premium Arkansas spring waters.
Maine
Numerous deep artesian spring systems across rural Maine supply Poland Spring and a long tail of independent New England bottlers.
California
Mountain aquifers and confined artesian sources in the Sierra and southern California ranges supply brands including Arrowhead and Crystal Geyser.
Benefits of artesian water
- Naturally filtered
- Protected underground source
- Consistent mineral composition
- Clean taste profile
Frequently asked questions
What is artesian water?
Water from a confined aquifer where underground pressure naturally pushes water toward the surface, without needing to be pumped.
Is artesian water better than spring water?
Not strictly — it's a source designation, not a quality grade. Artesian sources are typically more protected from surface contamination, which often produces cleaner mineral profiles.
Which American brands use artesian sources?
Waiakea (Hawaii), several Arkansas spring-water brands, and many Maine and California producers draw from confined artesian aquifers.
