Hey Y'all,
Let’s decode those bottled water labels together, shall we?
If you’ve ever stood in the grocery store aisle squinting at the fine print on a water bottle, trying to decide what makes one better than the other—you’re not alone. The bottled water world can be downright deceptive, especially here in the U.S. Labels like “purified,” “alkaline,” “electrolyte-enhanced,” or even “spring” water can mask what’s actually processed tap. In fact, around 60% of the bottled water on U.S. shelves is just municipal water filtered through reverse osmosis or UV light.
Yup—fancy packaging, lofty claims, and a $2.99 price tag for what’s essentially glorified faucet water.
Let’s Talk About U.S. Labeling Laws (And Why They Need Work)
In the United States, bottled water labeling is regulated by the FDA—not the EPA, which oversees tap water. While that might sound fine in theory, in practice, it creates loopholes:
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A brand can call its water “spring” as long as it passes through a spring—even if it’s just tap water piped into the spring and then re-collected.
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The word “purified” just means it was filtered—it doesn’t mean the source is pristine or natural.
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“Alkaline” or “oxygenated” often indicates the water has been altered, not that it has unique natural properties.
Most frustrating? Brands don’t have to list the full Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or mineral content, making it hard for us water lovers to understand what’s really in the bottle.
But not all brands play this game.
The Brands That Do It Right (And Why We Love Them)
At Salacious Drinks, we vet every bottle for provenance, mineral content, and source integrity. We’re not here for buzzwords. We’re here for real water—with a story and science behind it. Let’s break down some of our favorites from this week:
🫧 Ferrarelle Sparkling Water (Italy)
A naturally carbonated water with a crisp, complex minerality, Ferrarelle emerges from volcanic rock in southern Italy with its bubbles intact. There’s no injected CO₂ here—just pure effervescence from nature. The label proudly shows its TDS (1100+) and rich mix of bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium, and a bit of sodium. It’s Italy’s answer to champagne—in water form.
💧 Three Bays Still (Australia)
This water comes from an ancient artesian aquifer in Victoria, untouched for millennia. It’s one of the most mineral-rich waters in the world, with over 1300 mg/L of TDS. Naturally alkaline, Three Bays isn’t processed or tampered with—it’s simply bottled as it flows. When a label says “from an ancient protected aquifer,” and means it—that’s the gold standard.
🏛 Fiuggi Spring Water (Italy)
Historically known for its health benefits—yes, even Michelangelo supposedly drank it—Fiuggi is a naturally low-mineral spring water that’s been enjoyed for centuries. The source is nestled in the Apennine Mountains, protected, and carefully maintained. It’s said to support kidney health and gentle detoxing. Nothing added, nothing taken away.
These aren’t just bottled waters—they’re bottled landscapes.
How to Read a Real Water Label
If you're standing in front of a bottle, here's what to look for:
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Source: Is it listed clearly? “Municipal” means tap.
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TDS & Minerals: Is there a mineral breakdown? That’s a good sign.
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Carbonation: Is it natural or added?
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No RO or UV mentions: If it’s truly spring or artesian, those shouldn't be necessary.
What We Can Do to Help the Industry
We need more transparency in water labeling—just like we now demand with food. The solution?
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Support authentic brands. Purchase waters with real provenance and listed mineral content.
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Educate others. Share what you’ve learned about natural sources and misleading terms.
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Push for better laws. Advocate for clearer labeling through public comment and consumer watchdog groups.
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Choose glass and sustainable packaging when possible.
Let’s Shop Smarter
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of bottled water industry we want. At Salacious Drinks, we’re proud to offer only natural, single-source waters—never tap in disguise.
💙 You can find Ferrarelle, Fiuggi, and Three Bays—all proudly sourced and naturally bottled—available now at www.salaciousdrinks.com. Whether you're sipping for flavor, health, or curiosity, let’s drink from real sources.
Let’s raise our glasses (of spring water) to truth in labeling.
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Stay hydrated, stay informed.
💧 The Waterlady