There are several varieties of bottled water, including: artesian water, mineral water, sparkling water, spring water, well water and purified water.
Artesian Water: Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand), which stands above the normal water table.
Mineral Water: Bottled water originating from geologically and physically protected underground water source. Mineral water must contain mineral and/or trace Elements that make it clearly distinguishable from other types of water.
This content must remain constant in the water’s original state at the point of emergence from the source.
Sparkling Water: Bottled water containing carbon dioxide, which occurs naturally or is added following emergence from the source.
(An important note: soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters. They are regulated separately, may contain sugar and calories, and are considered soft drinks.)
Spring Water: Bottled water that flows naturally from an underground source to the surface of the earth. Spring water must be collected directly from the spring, or from a bore-hole that is adjacent to the natural point of emergence.
Spring water collected by pump, or any other device applying external force, must retain all the properties of, and be of the same composition and quality as, the water flowing naturally to the surface,
Well Water: Bottled water collected from an aquifer through a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground.
Purified Water: Bottled water produced by distillation, de-ionisation, reverse .
Osmosis, or another suitable process that meets the definition of purified water in the Australian Pharmacopoeia. Water that meets this definition, and is vaporized then condensed, may be labelled “distilled water.