What Is Spring Water and Is It Healthy?
When you hear the words “spring water,” other words such as healthy and pure water come to mind, but that isn’t always correct. Let’s dive deeper into spring water and its positives and negatives.
All About Spring Water
Spring water, or artesian or well water, comes from an underground source from which water naturally rises to the surface. The water source is typically a natural spring, where water is filtered through rocks and other underground materials, which gives it a distinct taste often favored by consumers.
Spring water contains naturally occurring minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential for human health. The mineral content of spring water can vary greatly depending on its source, and these minerals can contribute to the unique taste of each spring water brand.
Unlike distilled water, which is boiled and re-condensed to remove impurities and minerals, spring water maintains its natural mineral content. However, it’s important to note that spring water isn’t necessarily pure or contaminant-free. The quality of spring water can be affected by many factors, including the cleanliness of the spring, the surrounding environment, and the bottling process. Spring water comes from underground aquifers, so it is sensitive to contamination from environmental pollutants, such as fertilizer runoff and toxic waste.
To ensure safety, bottled spring water must undergo testing and meet specific standards set by health organizations, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, which covers everything from the source of the water to the bottling process, ensuring that the water is free from harmful levels of bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants. It’s common for bottled spring water to be treated to remove any potential contaminants, often through processes like ozonation or ultraviolet (UV) treatment.
Spring water can be a healthy choice for hydration, mainly if it’s sourced responsibly and treated correctly to ensure it’s free from contaminants. The naturally occurring minerals in spring water can contribute to overall health, providing essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly.
However, it’s also important to note that the human body can usually get all the minerals it needs from a balanced diet and drinking spring water isn’t necessary to meet these needs. In fact, the additional minerals in spring water could pose health risks for certain individuals with health conditions, such as kidney disease.
It’s also worth considering the environmental impact of bottled spring water. Bottling and shipping water uses significant resources and contributes to plastic waste, even when bottles are recycled. In many cases, tap water is a more environmentally friendly choice.
Spring water can be a healthy option, provided the water is properly treated and tested and can provide additional minerals. However, it’s important to consider environmental factors and personal health circumstances when choosing a source of hydration.
Trust Us to be Sure Your Water Isn’t Contaminated
If you want to be sure you are getting pure water, Atlantic Coast Water Clinic is the right choice. We have been helping customers just like you since 1976. If you are on the Treasure Coast, call us at 772-283-4767 or fill out our simple contact form, a water specialist will discuss installing a water softener to ensure your water is free of contaminants. Regardless if it’s a commercial or residential application, we have a number of filtration systems to meet your needs. Get in touch today!