Definitions
There are many different types of bottled water. The CBWA offers the following definitions to help in your selection (based on Health Canada’s regulation for Division 12):
Natural Water
Shall be water obtained from an underground or approved natural source or sources.
Spring Water
Shall be water collected from an underground source from which water may flow naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water may be collected at natural emergence or with the use of a borehole. May have a total dissolved solids (TDS) content at any level.
Mineral Water
Shall be water collected from an underground source from which water may flow naturally to the surface of the earth. Mineral water may be collected either at a natural emergence or with the use of a borehole. Shall have a minimum content of 250mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS)
Glacial or Glacier Water1
Shall be water collected from glacial melt water and shall maintain the same consistent composition of the major minerals and characteristics as that of the proglacial stream at the point of emergence.
Carbonated or “Sparkling”
When the original carbonation level has been supplemented to make the water effervescent.” Naturally Carbonated” or “Naturally Sparkling” – When the water contains at the time of bottling the same level of carbon dioxide as that which naturally occurs at emergence.
“Packaged Water Other Than Natural Waters”
- Shall be water obtained from an approved source or sources.
- May be obtained from a public community water system.
- May be significantly modified in its composition or characteristics through safe and suitable processes.
- Processing may include ozone, or chlorine or any safe and suitable antimicrobial agents or processes.
- Processing may include reduction or removal of dissolved gases or undissolved solids.
- Processing may include reduction or removal of unstable substance.
- Shall as packaged comply with Maximum Allowable Concentrations as defined in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
Demineralized Water
Treated water using processes such as: reverse osmosis, deionisation and any other approved treatment.
Distilled Water
- Treatment included vaporization and condensation. Can be called “Demineralized” or “Distilled”.
- Re-mineralized Water
- May have a total dissolved solids (TDS) content at any level.
“Drinking”
Optional qualifier in front of “water” in the common name (e.g. “distilled drinking water”, “demineralised drinking water”. “Drinking” does not add or distract from consumer understanding.
