Spring water originates from underground aquifers and naturally flows to the surface through springs. It's the most popular bottled water category in the US, valued for low-to-moderate TDS, clean taste, and minimal processing.
By FDA definition, spring water must come from an underground formation that flows naturally to the surface — either collected at the spring itself or through a borehole tapping the same aquifer. Light filtration is allowed, but the water cannot be heavily treated or stripped of its natural mineral character.
Spring water is collected at or from a natural spring with a typical TDS of 50–300 mg/L. Natural mineral water is a stricter category — minerals must be stable and present at source, often above 500 mg/L. Purified water (Aquafina, Dasani) is municipal water treated by reverse osmosis or distillation, then optionally re-mineralized for taste.
| Brand | Country | TDS (mg/L) | pH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evian | France | 357 | 7.2 |
| Poland Spring | USA (Maine) | 47 | 7 |
| Deer Park | USA (Maryland) | 120 | 6.5 |
| Arrowhead | USA (California) | 100 | 7.2 |
| Zephyrhills | USA (Florida) | 130 | 7.4 |
| Mountain Valley | USA (Arkansas) | 220 | 7.8 |
| Icelandic Glacial | Iceland | 70 | 8.4 |
Click a brand for its full pH and source breakdown.
Spring waters generally taste clean and light. Higher-TDS springs (Mountain Valley, Deer Park, Evian) carry a richer minerality and more rounded mouthfeel. Lower-TDS springs (Poland Spring, Icelandic Glacial) read as crisp, soft and neutral — better for taking on the flavor of food or drink.
Spring water is sourced from an underground aquifer that flows naturally to the surface through a spring. In the US, the FDA defines it strictly — the water must come from the spring itself or be collected from a borehole tapping the same aquifer. In the EU, 'natural spring water' must be microbiologically safe at source without disinfection.
Different, not better. Spring water is typically lower in TDS (50–250 mg/L) and tastes lighter. Natural mineral water has a stable, higher mineral content (often 500+ mg/L) and offers measurable nutritional value — calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate. Spring water is great for everyday drinking; mineral water is the choice for electrolyte replacement and digestive support.
Some are. Mountain Valley (7.8), Icelandic Glacial (8.4), Deer Park (7.6) and Highland Spring (7.8) all sit above neutral thanks to natural bicarbonate. Others like Poland Spring (7.0) and Volvic (7.0) hover right around neutral.
Among mainstream brands, Icelandic Glacial (~70 mg/L) and Poland Spring (~47 mg/L) are exceptionally low. For ultra-low TDS go to Norwegian VOSS (~44 mg/L) — technically artesian rather than spring.
