Question: I bought a case of bottled spring water on sale to have on hand in case of an emergency. What am I drinking and what’s the difference between spring and purified bottled water?
Meghan: Bottled water labeled as “purified” is water derived from an existing public water supply or other treated water supply. Water labeled as “spring water” or “natural spring water” is treated and bottled at a facility (either domestic or international) and sourced directly from a natural spring. Because of the difference in source and treatment types they each may have a slightly different taste—you may notice this across type of bottled water and brand of bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration has set requirements to ensure that all bottled water meets health requirements. Either can be used to help meet your needs for water in case of an emergency. It’s a good idea to store the bottled water in a cool and dark place and to use and replace the water after 6-12 months.
For more information on bottled water visit: http://water.unl.edu/drinkingwater