Millions worldwide choose mineral water daily for its safety, taste, and natural minerals that support health.
- Global Classification (U.S. FDA): Under “bottled water,” categories include Artesian water, mineral water, sparkling bottled water, spring water, and purified water (distilled, deionised, demineralised, or reverse osmosis treated)
- Artesian Water is groundwater naturally pushed to the surface due to pressure from impermeable underground rock layers.
About Packaged Drinking Water
- Packaged Drinking Water is water that is sourced from tap or groundwater, purified using processes like reverse osmosis (RO) to remove impurities, and may have small amounts of minerals added back to improve taste.
Production of Tap Water in India
- Source of Water: The main sources are rivers and deep borewells.
- Disinfection in Tropical Regions:
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- Higher pathogen loads in tropical areas lead to more aggressive disinfection compared to temperate or cold regions.
- Alum is added to make dirt and particles clump together for easier filtration.
- Residual chlorine is added in excess to prevent recontamination from leaks or sewage exposure.
Regulatory Framework of Tap Water
- Tap water is primarily a State responsibility.
- The Union government sets standards under IS 10500:2012, which prescribes mineral limits with room for variation.
- Example: TDS limit is 500 mg/l, but can go up to 2,000 mg/l if no alternative source is available
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About Mineral Water
- Mineral water is water that naturally contains dissolved minerals and trace elements.
- The minerals present in mineral water depend on its natural source.
- The most common minerals include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonates, sulphates, chlorides, silica, and sometimes fluorides or iron in trace amounts.
- Formation of Mineral Water:
- Rainwater and snowmelt gradually seep through layers of rocks such as limestone, granite, sandstone, or volcanic basalt.
- Minerals from these surrounding rocks dissolve into the water during its underground journey.
- Differences in underground pressure push this mineral-enriched water back toward the surface.
- The water emerges naturally as a spring or collects in a subterranean reservoir.
- Producers then drill wells or tap natural springs and flow the water into containers, using pumps if required.
- Regional Mineral Variation:
- High mineral content: Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Delhi/NCR due to calcium- and magnesium-rich aquifers.
- Low mineral (soft) water: Himalayan river sources and high-rainfall areas like Mumbai and parts of Kerala.
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Standards for Natural Mineral Water in India
- Regulatory Authorities: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) oversee quality standards for mineral water.
- Source Requirement: Must originate from underground sources such as natural springs or borewells.
Global Standards:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Parliament Council: Both have regulations that stipulate that mineral water must come from a geologically stable source, which producers must undertake to protect.
- Producers must not chemically treat it to alter its mineral composition.
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- Protection from Pollution: The source must be shielded by natural formations to ensure the water remains free from contaminants.
- Collection Conditions: Water should be collected under conditions that preserve its original bacteriological and chemical composition.
Certification and Labelling Requirements for Mineral Water in India
- Mandatory Certification: Unlike many food products, mineral water requires both an FSSAI license and a BIS certificate to be sold.
- ISI Mark: Every bottle must carry the ISI mark as per IS 13428 standards.
- Source Labelling: Bottles must indicate the name and location of the water source.
- Mineral Content Disclosure: Labels must display the levels of various minerals present in the water.
- Restriction on Claims: Packagers are not allowed to claim any medicinal or healing properties of the water.
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Production and Packaging of Mineral Water
- Bottling at Source: To maintain quality, water is usually bottled directly at or near the source.
- Filtration: Water is filtered to remove particulate matter and elements like iron, ensuring clarity.
- Disinfection: Producers may use ultraviolet light to disinfect the water.
- Carbonation: The level of dissolved carbon dioxide may be adjusted to produce still or sparkling variants.
- Storage and Packaging: Water is stored in tanks and packaged in glass bottles, PET bottles, or aluminium cans near the source to prevent contamination or changes in composition.
- Trade-offs of Packaging Materials:
- Glass: Chemically inert, safe, but fragile and requires careful handling.
- PET: Lightweight and convenient, but can leach small amounts of plastic over time, especially under heat.
- Aluminium: Highly recyclable, but requires an internal plastic lining, which may introduce chemical leaching and increases costs.
Role of Minerals in Mineral Water
- Calcium and Magnesium:
- Make water “hard” and give it the familiar mouthfeel, slight weight, and body.
- Calcium: Adds a smooth or slightly chalky sensation.
- Magnesium: Introduces a subtle bitterness.
- Other Minerals and Compounds:
- Bicarbonates: Neutralise acidity and give an almost sweet finish.
- Sulphates: Often from magnesium-rich springs, provide a slightly crisp taste.
- Sodium: Imparts a faint saline note.
- Impact on Water Properties:
- Increase Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
- Affect interactions with food, soap, pipes, and human tissues.
- Hard water can deposit scales in kettles and washing machines and does not lather well with soap.
- Health Contributions:
- Supports bone density and muscle function, though contribution is smaller than dietary sources.
- Bicarbonates may aid digestion.
Different Types of Water
| Feature |
Distilled Water |
Industrial Water |
Municipal Tap Water |
| Source |
Any water boiled and condensed |
Any water treated for industrial use |
Rivers, lakes, or groundwater |
| Purity |
Nearly pure H₂O, free of minerals and contaminants |
Chemically treated, deionised, softened, or demineralised |
Filtered and disinfected, retains natural minerals unless softened |
| Taste |
Almost hollow |
Varies depending on chemical treatment |
Varies regionally; can be hard or soft |
| Use |
Laboratories, research, diagnostics |
Industrial boilers, cooling systems, manufacturing |
Daily human consumption |
| Health Suitability |
Safe occasionally, not recommended for regular drinking |
Not safe for human consumption |
Safe to drink, mineral content varies by region |
| Effect on Surfaces |
Does not form scales; may draw minerals from contact surfaces |
Designed to prevent scaling or corrosion |
Can form scales if hard; behaves predictably if soft |
| Mineral Content |
None |
Very low or altered chemically |
Retains natural minerals unless softened |
26 Mar 2026
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