What is the best type of bottled water brand to produce? Which do people prefer and which one sells faster? To successfully start a water bottling company and grow it, you must understand the entire industry and people’s preference with respect to bottled water. Below are the types of bottled water and the best one to venture into.
To most people, water is all the same thing but to you who is looking to start a bottled water production business, you have to know the different types of bottled water available because water has different tastes and contents and some kinds of water are more preferred than others.
Starting a Bottled Water Plant: Types of Bottled Water
1. Spring water
Spring water is one of the most desirable types of bottled water. Manufacturers of spring water get their water directly from a natural spring where it is believed that the water is at its purest state and has not been exposed to any form of pollution. Spring water is also believed to have some nutritious contents like calcium and fluoride. Water gotten from the tap is not the same as spring water.
2. Mineral water
Mineral water, just like spring water is believed to contain some nutrients like calcium, potassium and other minerals. Mineral water is usually gotten from natural sources and must be bottled at source without transporting it to any other place for processing.
When minerals are added to ordinary water, it cannot be considered as mineral water. Bottled water can only be labeled as mineral water when it contains natural minerals gotten directly from the source.
3. Sparkling water
Sparkling water is a kind of bottled water that contains carbon-dioxide. The presence of carbon-dioxide in it creates a process known as carbonation which causes it to bubble and fizzle. A typical example of sparkling water is water used to make drinks and soda. Sparkling water can also come in different types like sparkling mineral water or sparkling spring water.
4. Distilled water
Distilled water is a type of bottled water that has been boiled to remove all forms of impurities or bacteria. Distilled water is also commonly referred to as pure water because of the purification process it has been made to go through. The downside of distilled water is that all of the healthy minerals are removed during the purification process making the water plain and without any nutritional benefits.
5. Deionized water
This type of water is also a purified type of water where all forms of impurities or mineral ions have been removed during the purification process.
6. Flavored water
To encourage people to drink more water, some manufacturers add some kind of flavors to their water. This kind of water may contain added flavors like sugar or lemon. It is used to encourage people to stay away from sodas and unhealthy drinks.
7. Nutrient-added water
Another type of bottled water is the nutrient-added water where extra nutrients and minerals are added to natural water to make it healthier for consumption.
8. Artesian water
Artesian water is water gotten from a source known as an artesian well. An artesian well makes it possible for water that has passed through porous rock from a high elevation to flow to the surface of the rock. Water flows to the surface naturally without pumping it.
9. Well water
Well water is usually gotten from an unconfined aquifer and is usually required to undergo further treatment before it can be considered safe for drinking.
10. Public water source
Some bottled water companies also make their water from public water sources like public taps and boreholes.
Starting a Bottled Water Plant: Methods of Water Treatment
Bottled water brands are also classified according to the purification methods used because it is believed that the method of purification used would have a direct effect on the nutrients, taste and quality of the water. The most common treatment methods used by bottled water companies include-:
- Distillation
- Ozonation
- UV-light treatments
- Reverse osmosis
- Filtration
a. Distillation of water
Water is distilled by removing chemicals, impurities or minerals from the water through the use of heat. Distilled water can be made at home easily using this method-:
- Fill a stainless steel pot with water. You could make use of a 5 gallon pot and fill it with just 2.5 gallon of water i.e. it should be half way full.
- Then, place a glass bowl inside the pot of water and ensure the bowl does not sink but floats.
- Place the pot on your stove or gas cooker. The water would slowly gather inside the bowl.
- The next thing is to create a condensation process. You can create a condensation effect by filling the lid of the pot with ice so that as soon as the hot steam touches the cold lid of the pot, condensation occurs.
- The water that drips into the bowl as the condensation process occurs is what is known as distilled water.
b. Ozonation
Ozonation is a water treatment method which uses ozone gas to remove bacteria and minerals from the water.
c. UV-Light treatment
UV-Light treatment is also known as ultraviolet disinfection. This involves the use of ultraviolet rays of light to remove bacteria and water-borne viruses from the water to make it pure and suitable for drinking. UV treatment doesn’t remove minerals from the water or change the water’s taste and odor.
d. Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is also a widely accepted water treatment system. Reverse osmosis can be used to make salty ocean water safe for drinking. Osmosis involves passing of water through a semi permeable membrane so that other dissolved materials (soluble) are unable to pass through. To reverse it, pressure is added to a highly concentrated solution and forced to pass through a membrane through application of pressure so that one side has a higher concentration than the other.
e. Filtration
Another purification process is known as filtration. This is a common process that can be found in our homes. It involves passing the water through a water filter so that unwanted materials are not allowed to pass through. It is a physical method of purifying water. Purification would not remove any beneficial minerals from the water and would also remove chemicals like chlorine and its byproducts from the water.
Starting a Bottled Water Plant: Examples of Existing Bottled Water Brands
Some popular bottled water brands in different countries include-:
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united states of America
DeVine water, Kona Deep, Beverly Hills 90H20, Bling H20 and Summit Spring water.
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United Kingdom
Speyside Glenlivet, Highland Spring, 464, Abbey well, Aqua-pura and Blue Keld
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India
Mulshi Springs, Alfa Blue, Bailley, Dew Drops, Golden Eagle and Cool Valley.
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South Africa
Blue Republic, Cape Karoo, Aquamine, Valvita and aQuellA.
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France
Saint Geron, Alet, Arces , Badoit, Celtic, Carola and Evian.
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Nigeria
Nestle waters, Eva water and Swan water.