Latest studies show that the global market for bottled water is growing at an accelerated rate with many reputable bottled water brands raking in billions of dollars annually. In 2015, the bottled water industry was estimated to be worth more than $185 billion and is expected to hit $335 billion by 2023.
Bottled water companies in the United States are inventing new brands almost every day. This article offers you a list of the most popular bottled water brands in the US to help you choose the right ones for your water needs.
What Is Bottled Water?
Bottled water is simply drinking water packaged in a plastic or glass water bottle. It can be well water, mineral water, spring water, or distilled water. Bottled water may be carbonated or not, and comes in various sizes, including small single-serving bottles, large carboys for water coolers, among others.
Although containers to transport water have existed since the earliest human civilization, the branding of bottled water started in the United Kingdom in 1621. The high demand for bottled water was driven by the invention of spa and water therapy by the Europeans and American colonialists in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The first bottled water brand to be marketed in Europe was Bristol Water, which was taken from the spa at Hotwells. By 1724, the brand had become a household name, not just in England, but around the world.
In the U.S., the first bottled water was commercially packaged and distributed by Jackson’s Spa in Boston in 1767. Initially, people who took bottled water believed that it had healing properties. They also believed that drinking or bathing in mineral water could help cure many common illnesses.
But over the years, the rising demand for bottled mineral water has led to an increase in imitation products. Currently, the market is awash with carbonated water designed to replicate the natural effervescence of bottled mineral water. In the U.S., the first patent for “imitation” bottled mineral water was issued to Joseph Hawkins in 1809.
Also, the advancing technologies have led to cheaper glass and plastic bottles and quicker bottling processes. This has enabled water bottling companies to produce bottled water in large quantities.
The popularity of bottled water in the 19th century can also be attributed to the belief that it is safer than tap water, which is supplied by municipal authorities. Many people believed that tap water could easily spread diseases like typhoid and cholera.
However, the popularity of bottled water in America has continued to decline, thanks to the invention of water chlorination. The treatment of tap water has reduced public concerns over its ability to spread water-borne diseases. But this doesn’t mean that people in the U.S. and parts of the world no longer value bottled water.
The truth is that bottled water remains very popular, especially now that it has spread to restaurants and grocery stores. Currently, bottled water is ranked the second most sought-after beverage in the U.S.
Is Bottled Water Healthier?
People around the world are always looking for a healthier and more convenient way to quench their thirst. That’s why many people prefer to drink bottled water as opposed to tap water. While the desire to drink bottled water seems insatiable, there’s a question that everyone seems to ignore: Is bottled water healthier than tap water?
Overall, bottled and tap water is a perfect way to quench your thirst. However, treated tap water is considered a better option because it’s just as safe as bottled water and it’s more affordable and less harmful to the environment. With a reusable bottle, tap water can be as convenient as bottled water. Plus, you can add your own fresh fruits to tap water to add flavor.
Even so, there are times when bottled mineral water is better than tap water. For instance, if your tap water supply line is contaminated, you should drink bottled water to avoid water-borne ailments. Additionally, people with compromised immunity may be required to drink certain types of bottled water.
15 Bottled Water Brands in the United States
1. Aquafina
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Aquafina is the most popular bottled water brand in the U.S. today. It is a purified bottled water product produced by PepsiCo. It consists of flavored and unflavored water. This brand of bottled water was first sold in Wichita, Kansas in 1994. Since then, it has grown to become a global brand, selling millions of products across America, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
Aquafina’s unflavored water product is acquired from the local municipal tap water sources and then it’s taken through a distillation process that integrates reverse osmosis, ultraviolet, and ozone sterilization.
2. Dasani
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Dasani was launched in 1999 by the Coca-Cola company to rival Aquafina. It is one of the various bottled water products sold by Coca-Cola. Although Dasani was initially distributed across the U.S., it is now sold around the world. It is made from tap water, which is then filtered and bottled with supplementary sodium.
3. Glaceau Smartwater
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This brand of bottled water is owned by the Coca-Cola Company and it was introduced in the market in 1996. It’s currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This water product is produced using tap water, which is taken through the distillation process to remove inorganic impurities. After distillation, supplementary mineral electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium are added back.
4. Ozarka
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Ozarka is a bottled water product derived from natural springs in Texas, U.S. It is bottled and distributed in South Central America, including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, and some parts of Tennessee, Kansas, and Missouri. This brand was established in 1905.
5. Penta Water
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Penta contains purified water that is usually taken through a unique 13-step process to remove inorganic impurities, including heavy metals and salt. This purification process takes about 11 hours. This brand is headquartered in California.
6. Eternal Water
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Eternal Water is based in Walnut Creek, CA, and it’s derived from spring water. The brand touts its product as natural water that filters through layers of ancient rocks, absorbing a wide range of essential minerals.
7. Deer Park Natural Spring Water
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Deer Park Natural Spring Water is 100 percent natural water derived from springs across Pennsylvania and Maryland. This product is branded as spring water, which means that it is filtered to eliminate unwanted particles and other impurities. Initially, this water was solely sourced from a spring near Deer Park in Maryland, but it’s now being sourced from other springs across the U.S.
8. Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water
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This bottled water brand was established in 1990 as a family-owned and operated brand. The water is derived from natural alpine springs in different parts of the U.S. The water is also bottled at the source.
9. Zephyrhills
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Zephyrhills water is sourced from natural springs in Florida where limestone is known to purify the water, giving it a more natural flavor. The water is named after the city of Zephyrhills in Pasco County, Florida.
10. Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water
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This brand is the Midwestern version of Zephyrhills. The two brands share a website and are remarkably similar. This is because they are owned by the same company. However, the Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water product is sourced from the springs in Michigan. Therefore, it has a natural, mineral-forward taste.
11. Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water
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This bottled water is sourced from 13 springs across the Western United States and is mostly distributed in the region, especially in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, the Northwest, and California.
12. LIFEWTR
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LIFEWTR is a popular bottled water brand owned by Pepsi, which was launched in 2017, adding to the company’s long list of beverages. It is made of purified water that is pH balanced with electrolytes.
13. Ethos Water
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Ethos Water is a popular American brand of bottled water with a social mission of helping kids get clean water. Currently, this brand is a subsidiary of Starbucks. It was established in 2001 by Peter Thum who got the idea after working with communities in South Africa that didn’t have access to clean water.
14. Mountain Valley Spring Water
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This bottled water is sourced from natural springs in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains. Since 1871, this brand has bottled its water in glass bottles. The company is headquartered in Arkansas, United States.
15. La Croix
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La Croix is an American brand of carbonated water that originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was created by G. Heileman Brewing Company and is now distributed by National Beverage Corporation. Its flavors include various fruits and fruit blends.
