Question:
I'm looking into home filtration system, but in the meantime, am using bottled water. I know that many bottled water companies use the same water that tap water comes from and runs it thru a filter before bottling it. I've also heard to choose the brand that uses water from the deepest wells, but I wouldn't rely on the info given by any company in regard to that question. Also read to only choose water that says "spring water" or "mineral". Have any of you had successful research to determine which one is safest, if any?

Answer: We called the International Bottled Water Association with the question. It says the Food and Drug Administration establishes the definitions for different waters. For instance, drinking water is another name for bottled water sold for human consumption, it must be calorie free and sugar free. Distilled or purified water has been produced using distillation, de-ionization or reverse osmosis to remove impurities. Spring water must come from an underground formation, and mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million of dissolved minerals at the source of the water

Having been in the bottled water industry for more than fourteen (14) years, I believe that I can answer your question. The company was Artesia Waters, Inc. and in 1985, we were rated the 85th fastest growing privately held company, according to Inc. Magazine...enough for credentials. Depending on where you live, you may not even need bottled water! My area's source is an underground aquifer which is naturally filtered and contains dissolved solids in excess of 250 PPM, thus is a "hard" or "mineral" water from a natural source. With a source like this, all you need is a charcoal and sand filter (fits on the faucet) to remove the debris from the pipes transporting the water and the chlorine. If you are not this lucky, you should buy a "natural" bottled water in bulk, a gallon or larger, which has low or no sodium, arsenic, and other bad constituents. I feel that well water, artesian water, or any other water which does not come in contact with the surface is your best source