Spring Water vs Purified Water vs Alkaline: Which Should You Drink?
We deliver all three, so we have no reason to talk you into one. Here is what each is and when it makes sense.
The one-table version
| Spring | Purified | Distilled | Alkaline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comes from | an underground spring, bottled at or near the source | any source, then filtered | any source, boiled and re-condensed | any source, filtered, then minerals added |
| What is in it | the spring's own minerals | almost nothing | nothing | a set blend of minerals and electrolytes |
| pH | about 6.5 to 8 | often slightly under 7 | about 5.5 to 7 (absorbs CO2) | 8 to 9.5 |
| Taste | varies by spring; often crisp | neutral, flat | flat | smooth, slightly sweet |
| Good for | everyday drinking, the table | cooking, coffee machines, formula (ask your pediatrician) | irons, humidifiers, CPAP machines | everyday drinking, workouts |
| We deliver | Poland Spring, Saratoga, Grace Spring 5-gal | Blue Star Purified 5-gal | not currently | Alkaid 16.9 oz, 1 L, 5-gal |
What is spring water?
Under U.S. FDA labeling rules, "spring water" must come from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface, and it must be collected at the spring or from a borehole tapping the same source. It is filtered for safety but keeps its natural minerals, which is why springs taste different from each other. Poland Spring comes from Maine, Saratoga from Saratoga Springs, New York, and Grace Spring is the natural spring water we put in 5-gallon jugs. All three: spring water delivery.
What is purified water?
Water that has been treated to remove nearly all dissolved solids, by reverse osmosis, distillation, deionization or a combination. The FDA requires purified water to carry under 10 parts per million of total dissolved solids. The source can be a spring, a well or a city supply; what matters is what comes out. Purified water is consistent and neutral, which is why it is the standard choice for coffee equipment and for mixing anything where you want to taste the other ingredient.
Distilled vs purified: distilled water is one kind of purified water, made by boiling and condensing. All distilled water is purified; not all purified water is distilled.
What is alkaline water?
Usually purified water with minerals and electrolytes added back to reach a pH of 8 to 9.5. It starts from the clean slate of purified water, so the mineral content is the same in every bottle. Alkaid is bottled at 9.5 pH. The full explanation: what is alkaline water?
Which one for…
- Everyday drinking: whichever you will drink more of. Taste decides this.
- Coffee and espresso machines: purified. Fewer minerals means less scale.
- Baby formula: many pediatricians suggest purified or distilled water because it has no added minerals and low fluoride. Ask yours.
- A water cooler at home or the office: any of the three in a 5-gallon jug. Alkaid Alkaline Water 5-Gallon Jug and Grace Spring Water 5-Gallon Jug are $8.99, Blue Star Purified Water 5-Gallon Jug is $7.25, all swapped for your empties. See 5-gallon water delivery.
- The dinner table or a restaurant: Saratoga still or sparkling, in glass.
- After a hard workout: alkaline, for the electrolytes.
Questions people ask
Is spring water better than purified water?
Neither is better. Spring water keeps its natural minerals and varies by source; purified water is neutral and consistent. Choose by taste and by what you are using it for.
What is the difference between natural spring water and purified water?
Source and minerals. Spring water is collected from an underground spring and keeps its minerals; purified water can come from anywhere and has nearly all dissolved solids removed.
Is purified water the same as distilled water?
Distilled water is one method of purification, by boiling and condensing. All distilled water is purified; not all purified water is distilled.
Is purified water good to drink?
Yes. It is safe and clean. Some people find it tastes flat because the minerals are gone; that is a preference, not a health issue.
Can I use purified water for baby formula?
It is commonly recommended because it has no added minerals and low fluoride, but ask your pediatrician; the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics publish guidance on water and fluoride for infants.
Which water does Alkaid deliver?
Spring (Poland Spring, Saratoga, Grace Spring), purified (Blue Star) and alkaline (Alkaid), by the case or the 5-gallon jug, across northern New Jersey and New York City.