What is natural mineral water?
Natural mineral water is water originating in an underground water table or deposit, which emerges from a spring tapped at one or more natural or bore exits. It must come from an officially recognised spring, be microbiologically wholesome and be naturally free from pollution and parasitic, pathogenic and other harmful micro- organisms.
Water must be bottled at source, i.e. must not be transported in containers other than those authorised for distribution to the ultimate consumer (not tankered – unless certain exemptions apply).
Natural mineral water is characterised by its chemical and microbiological composition, which distinguishes it from drinking water, and may not be treated in any way that alters these properties. The composition, temperature and other essential characteristics must remain stable. Natural mineral water cannot be polluted in any way (chemical or microbiological).
What is spring water?
A water can only be labelled with the description “spring water” if it originates in an underground water source, is bottled at source and satisfies most of the exploitation conditions, microbiological criteria and some of the labelling requirements that apply to natural mineral water. Spring water must also comply with limits laid above for physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. Unlike natural mineral water spring water does not need to demonstrate a stable composition.
What is bottled drinking water?
Bottled drinking water means drinking water which is bottled, and is neither spring water or natural mineral water. It can come from a variety of sources, including municipal supplies.
What does the word “spring” mean?
For natural mineral water and spring water, a spring is the access to (or point of discharge from) an aquifer or water deposit. Ponds, wells and adits (i.e. horizontal collecting galleries used to increase well yield) are not covered by the term ‘spring’.
How do spring and source differ?
The term source is often applied in reference to natural mineral water. ‘Source’ is not defined within these regulations but can be considered as being synonymous with ‘spring’
What is a borehole/bore exit?
A borehole is an artificially produced exit for water emerging from a source originating in an underground water table or deposit.
Natural mineral waters from sources in England
Before water can be officially recognised as natural mineral water, certain information about the source and the water itself must be supplied to the relevant authority. This includes a hydrogeological description of the source, the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, microbiological analyses and analyses for toxic substances. Additionally it must be demonstrated that the water is free from pollution and that the composition, temperature and other essential characteristics of the water remain stable. To establish stability, it is necessary to collect data over a sufficiently long period to demonstrate the extent to which the composition varies. The conditions that are attached to the exploitation of natural mineral waters are designed to ensure that the physical and chemical characteristics, safety and microbiological purity of the water at source maintain unchanged during exploitation. Routine quality control is the responsibility of the exploiter, but periodic checks should be made by the recognition authority.