Natural spring water is, as the name suggests, water from a natural spring or well that has been naturally filtered through mineral-rich rocks and contains a high level of dissolved minerals. The water contains a high concentration of minerals because they are absorbed by the water over time. The minerals give the water a distinct taste and can provide numerous health benefits.
Spring vs Mineral Water: What is the Difference?
On the surface natural spring and mineral water seem to have a lot in common, however the fundamental difference between the two is that the minerals in spring water are naturally occurring whereas the minerals in mineral water can be (and often are) added to it.
Spring water is untouched and is fit for consumption at the source, while mineral water often has its minerals added to it artificially.
What about spring water and natural spring water? The key term here "natural" signifies that the water, the source, and the minerals are all naturally occurring. At Natural Springs Australia our water is free from any chemical treatment and is delivered to you as pure as it is found at the source, just as nature intended.
The Minerals
The most common minerals found in spring water are calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Additionally, minerals such as sulphates, chloride, and bicarbonates can also occur naturally in spring water. These minerals are important for our health, and drinking spring water is a great way to get them into our bodies.
Calcium
Your body needs calcium to build and maintain strong bones. Your heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly. Some studies suggest that calcium may help protect your body against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also plays a role in blood clotting, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays many crucial roles in the body, such as supporting muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure control. It also helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Sodium
Sodium is necessary for maintaining fluid balance in the body. It helps conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain your body's proper balance of water and other minerals.
Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral that functions as an electrolyte in the body. It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. It can also help regulate blood pressure and water retention, protect against stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.
Measuring the Minerals
TDS (total dissolved solids) is the unit of measurement used to determine the level of mineral content in water. It is usually measured as milligrams per litre. The higher the TDS the more minerals it has. Water that is high in mineral content (particularly calcium and magnesium carbonates) is also commonly described as "hard" while water that is low in mineral content is described as "soft". Higher mineral content and the balance of the minerals in water effects its taste.
Our spring water has an average TDS of 316 mg/L putting it on the higher end of hard waters.
The pH
pH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline water is. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most alkaline. Anything below 7 is considered acidic, and anything above 7 is considered alkaline. pH is important in our drinking water because it can affect our health. If the pH of our water is too low it can be corrosive. If the pH of our water is too high, it can cause calcium and magnesium to precipitate out of the water, making it hard to drink.
All drinking water has pH levels between 5 and 9 which is safe to drink. The most common pH of drinking water (whether it is from the tap or bottled) is generally 7 which makes it neutral.
Our water has a pH that fluctuates with the seasons between 7.5 and 8.0 making it neutrally balanced.
The Source
Natural spring water is sourced from naturally occurring underground aquifers (reservoirs). There are two types of aquifers: confined and unconfined. Confined aquifers are surrounded by a layer of rock while unconfined aquifers lie below soil.
Our source is an ancient confined aquifer sealed at the base with basalt and capped at the top with aerated scoria which gives our water its naturally high mineral content.
Our source is a mountain in the Victorian Central Highlands that formed when an ancient volcano violently erupted which spewed molten lava and scoria out from deep below the Earth's surface. This natural phenomenon created an ideal water catchment that is high above the surrounding water table, protecting it from contamination.
Additionally, our source is naturally sustainable as rain water that falls on the mountain top filters through the fine scoria, picking up minerals along the way, and collecting in the aquifer, ready to repeat the water cycle.
Order today and discover the very best water that Australia has to offer.