Table Water: Better or Worse Than Mineral Water?

What can be called mineral water?

Similar to Parma ham and champagne, there are also precisely defined criteria as to which water may be called mineral water. These are set out in the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water, and Table Water Regulations.

• Mineral water must come from an underground water source. The source used must also be officially recognized so that the water obtained can be sold.
• The water must not contain any impurities and must be characterized by its mineral and trace element content.
• The composition of the water must not be subject to any significant fluctuations. The proportion of minerals should therefore be constant within the framework of natural fluctuations.
• The changes that can be made to the water are also strictly regulated. Only ingredients that do not significantly contribute to the properties of the water may be removed. These include iron and sulfur compounds. The ordinance also allows carbon dioxide to be added to the water.

Table water is man-made

In contrast, bottled water is not natural. It consists of drinking water to which other ingredients have been added. Of course, the provisions of the Water Ordinance also apply here, but they differ from those of mineral water.

• For one, table water does not have to come from a recognized source. It is also allowed to mix several types of water with each other. As a result, this water can be produced anywhere.
• In addition to drinking water and mineral water, naturally salty water, such as natural brine and seawater, may also be used. Sodium and magnesium chloride are also permitted as ingredients provided they do not exceed any of the specified limits.
• In most cases, the water is first completely demineralized and then enriched with minerals again. This ensures that the taste is not affected by where the water is filled.

Conclusion: table water vs. mineral water

The mineral water is definitely more natural since according to the law it can only be enriched with more carbonic acid.

• However, table water is by no means second-class water. On the one hand, the ingredients are also strictly regulated here. On the other hand, it consists largely of drinking water. This in turn comes from the groundwater, which is often fed by exactly the same sources as the mineral water.
• The only difference is whether the minerals contained are naturally contained in the water or were added later.
• The biggest difference is the price. You often have to dig deeper into your pocket for mineral water. Otherwise, it is up to you to decide which water you prefer.