The Source of Mineral Water
Mineral water is distinguished from other types of water by constant levels and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at its source, allowing for seasonal variations.
Natural mineral waters must be abstracted only from officially recognized sources.
Details of the source required for recognition include a hydrological description, physical and chemical characteristics of the water, microbiological analyses, levels of toxic substances, freedom from pollution and stability of the source.
It must originate from a geologically protected underground water source, usually a spring.
Mineral water is water from an underground source that contains at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids.
Minerals and trace elements must come from the source of the underground water. They cannot be added later.
Such legislation does not apply to others waters, but judgment of the suitability of a source should be based on similar criteria.
In general terms, the most suitable aquifer is deep, with along transit time and few crack or fissures.
In the case of shallow aquifers the main concern is the possibility of surface water passing more, less, directly into the source.
Ground water water is a precious and the most widely distributed resource of the earth and unlike any other mineral resource, it gets its annual replenishment from the meteoric precipitation.
No aquifer, however is totally immune from risk of pollution. In many cases this results from activities which affect the geology and hydrology of the catchment area.
Examples include the drilling of deep shafts or the extension of existing mining activities, diversion of watercourses, and the dumping of waste material into disused mineshafts and deep quarries.
Instances include separate cases of microbiological and chemical pollution due to the dumping of cattle slurry and cheese whey into disused mineshafts and lead pollution from ancient spoil heals following diversion of a stream.
Another important thing the mineral water needs an authorization of bottling must be done at the source, and water must be marketed with a brand name which is associated with source.
Depending on the source is, the mineral the water contains will vary. If you are suffering from a deficiency of certain minerals and drinking mineral water for therapeutic reason, you must be aware of which minerals are in the particular brand of water you drink.
The Source of Mineral Water