What is the difference between tap water, spring water and mineral water?
mineral water, tap water or spring water?
Natural mineral water, water of natural origin, spring water: a small selection of the terms that come to our attention.
What is the difference between tap water, spring water and mineral water?
mineral water versus spring water
There are two ways in which spring water differs from mineral water. First of all, according to legislation, mineral water must be bottled directly at the source and in addition, the mineral composition must not be influenced by the bottling process.
The legislation does not impose any requirements on this for spring water. This way, mineral water retains its natural composition of minerals (such as iron, salt and magnesium). For that reason, mineral water is often somewhat saltier. It is not the case that this water necessarily contains more minerals than spring or tap water.
The same water
Both spring water and tap water are extracted from natural or underground sources. In 60% of cases, spring water is extracted from the same layer in the ground as tap water. In that respect, tap water is not that different from spring water.
For example, the ‘Keuringsdienst van Waarde’ made an episode last year in which they showed that the spring water of some brands comes from exactly the same source as the tap water. “In Utrecht you simply flush your toilet with spring water,” was the conclusion.
Clean water for all
That is our mission and you can contribute to it in many ways:
Donate water to a person or familiy.
Offset your water use.
Tap chilled and sparkling water at work.
Order customizable sustainable water bottles.
Save on water in your hotel.
Serve locally bottled water in your restaurant.
Why is it called spring water
Both spring water and tap water are extracted from natural, underground sources. In 60% of the cases, spring water is extracted from the same layer in the ground as tap water. In that respect, tap water does not differ from water that is sold as high-quality spring water.
There are no studies that show that mineral water is healthier than spring or tap water. In fact, Dutch tap water is already of the highest quality possible. After all, water companies must meet strict safety requirements by law, in order to supply safe and reliable drinking water.
SPARKLING TAP WATER
Choose to drink tap water. If you wish, using a water dispenser connected to the water main: enjoying chilled still and sparkling water.
With made blue you’re contributing to access to clean water for all. We can offer solutions for restaurants, offices and on the go.
“
There is a product that we can get for free and unlimited at home, but still want to buy for two thousand times the price in the supermarket: water in a bottle. You can simply flush your toilet in Utrecht with the same product.
Teun van de Keuken of the Keuringsdienst van Waarde on 24Kitchen
”
Tap water is most sustainable
What is certain is that tap water is the most sustainable. Where tap water is tapped locally, mineral and spring water must be transported.
Spring water and mineral water require packaging and recycling. Tap water served in glassware that can be washed and reused is way more sustainable.
No spring water in the past
It’s actually strange that we all started drinking spring water. In 1950, no one had ever heard of that term. How did this happen?
This animation from The Story of Stuff Project once again explains how we started drinking spring water while tap water is better, tastier and much cheaper.
Contribute to clean water for all
We are the Made Blue Foundation.
Our mission is clean water for all.
Will you help us achieve our mission?
You can do so in more ways than you might think.
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