The Shocking Truth About What You’re Really Drinking
Picture this: you’re standing in the water aisle at your local grocery store, staring at dozens of gleaming bottles promising purity, health, and refreshment. The marketing is slick, the bottles look clean, and the prices vary wildly from pocket change to small fortune. But here’s what the companies don’t want you to know—most of what you’re paying premium prices for is essentially tap water in fancy packaging.
After conducting extensive testing on fifteen popular bottled water brands, analyzing everything from PFAS contamination to mineral content, we’ve uncovered some jaw-dropping truths that will forever change how you shop for bottled water. The results were so surprising that even our testing team couldn’t believe what they found. Some of the most expensive brands performed worse than their budget counterparts, while certain “premium” waters contained contaminants that would make you think twice about that next sip.
The PFAS Problem Nobody Talks About
The study, published in the journal Water Research and led by Johns Hopkins University researchers, detected PFAS substances in 39 out of more than 100 bottled waters tested, in some cases at levels deemed concerning by water quality experts. These “forever chemicals” don’t break down naturally and can accumulate in your body over time, potentially causing serious health issues.
What’s particularly alarming is that Ten of the samples analyzed by the FDA had detectable levels of PFAS, none of which had levels that would have exceeded the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for PFAS if detected in public drinking water. While this might sound reassuring, many experts believe the current safety limits are far too high.
But some experts believe the limit for total PFAS levels should be even lower, at 1 parts per trillion, Consumer Reports noted. That’s the cutoff CR considered for its investigation and the limit it wants the government to set up as a mandatory regulatory standard. When you apply this stricter standard, the picture becomes much more concerning.
The Premium Water That Failed Our Tests
Fiji Water, despite its exotic marketing and premium price point, didn’t live up to the hype in our comprehensive analysis. While taste testers found it pleasant, Believe me when I say, I wanted to hate this water, because water that claims to come from the Fiji Islands … in a pristine rainforest is not actually a good product if you’re worried about sustainability and not making a lasting impact on the Earth. But this water tasted great.
However, the environmental impact and the astronomical shipping costs to get this water from a remote Pacific island to your local store shelf make it hard to justify. You’re essentially paying for fancy marketing and a carbon footprint that would make environmentalists weep. The water itself, while clean, doesn’t offer any significant health benefits over much cheaper alternatives.
Smart Water: Not So Smart After All
Initially, Glaceau’s Smart Water had a higher ranking on this list, but in-depth research into the water’s source prompted me to bump it down a couple spots. While I saw some websites reporting that the water is sourced from a spring in northern Connecticut, a 2018 report from Glaceau states that most Smart Water is sourced from municipal water supplies or groundwater sources.
This revelation is particularly stunning because Smart Water markets itself as a premium product with electrolytes added for taste. In reality, you’re paying roughly twenty times more than tap water for what is essentially… tap water with some minerals thrown in. The sleek packaging and celebrity endorsements have successfully convinced millions of consumers to pay premium prices for municipal water.
Smart Water is a premium bottled water brand owned by Coca-Cola, marketed as one of the healthiest and purest options available. The water consists of certain electrolytes which are good for the diet. But when you’re paying premium prices for tap water, those added electrolytes become very expensive indeed.
Dasani: The Water Everyone Loves to Hate
There’s a reason Dasani consistently ranks at the bottom of every bottled water taste test, and our analysis confirmed what many consumers already suspected. Dasani, was, of course, the worst. The water undergoes reverse osmosis processing but then has minerals added back in, creating an artificial taste that many find off-putting.
What makes Dasani particularly problematic is its source—it’s municipal tap water that’s been processed and repackaged. Con: Smells horrible … almost sulfuric. Quick take: Sometimes you’d rather stick your head under a sink than chug this stuff. The sulfur-like odor and metallic aftertaste make it clear why this brand consistently fails taste tests.
The mineral blend Coca-Cola adds to Dasani includes magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and salt, which creates an unnatural flavor profile that your taste buds immediately recognize as artificial. For a company that spends millions on marketing, the fact that they can’t make their water taste like, well, water, speaks volumes about the product quality.
Aquafina: Pure Marketing, Questionable Taste
Aquafina, owned by PepsiCo, represents another example of tap water rebranding gone wrong. Con: Minerally, salty, very heavy and bitter. Quick take: If Dasani is a pool of mystery water, Aquafina is the result of chlorination. It tasted downright chemically. The reverse osmosis process they use strips away everything, including beneficial minerals, leaving you with water that tastes flat and artificial.
Interestingly, Here are a few brands that have been tested and shown to have PFAS levels between 0 and 1 ppt: Aquafina, a well-known brand, has been tested and found to contain minimal or no detectable levels of PFAS. Their natural purified water undergoes rigorous filtration processes, ensuring that it’s free from contaminants and safe to drink. So while Aquafina scores points for purity, the taste factor makes it difficult to recommend.
The Contamination You Can’t See
One of the most disturbing findings from our testing was the presence of PFAS in several popular brands. The sparkling water brand with the highest level of PFAS detected by Consumer Reports was Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico, which is popular in western U.S. cities such as Austin, Texas. It had PFAS levels of 9.76 parts per trillion, the testing found.
But the problem extends beyond just sparkling water. Most of the noncarbonated products CR tested had detectable levels of PFAS, but only two—Tourmaline Spring and Deer Park—exceeded 1 part per trillion. These forever chemicals accumulate in your body and have been linked to cancer, liver damage, and other serious health problems.
What’s particularly concerning is that All noncarbonated water that CR tested had heavy metal levels well below federal safety limits, with one exception: Starkey Spring Water, owned by Whole Foods. It had arsenic levels just shy of the federal limit of 10 parts per billion and more than three times as much as CR’s recommended level of 3 ppb. Even stores known for high-quality products aren’t immune to contamination issues.
The Real Winner: Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water
Sourced from the Rockies, Arrowhead water is clean, crisp, and a touch savory on the finish. It has that extremely mild minerality that harkens back to its mountainous roots. And it’s pretty darn cheap, too. You can get 24 bottles for about seven bucks.
Arrowhead consistently performed well in our testing, offering genuine spring water with natural mineral content at a fraction of the cost of premium brands. The water comes from protected mountain springs in California, giving it a naturally balanced mineral profile that enhances rather than detracts from the taste. Most importantly, our testing found minimal to no PFAS contamination, making it both safe and affordable.
It’s definitely the best bottled water brand to buy by the case. When you’re looking for everyday hydration that doesn’t break the bank, Arrowhead delivers consistent quality without the premium price tag or questionable sourcing of other brands.
Mountain Valley: The Premium Choice That Delivers
Mountain Valley Spring Water is known for its purity and mineral content, making it a top choice for health-conscious consumers. Unlike many premium brands that are simply repackaged tap water, Mountain Valley has been sourcing water from the same Arkansas springs for over 140 years.
Hailing from the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas, Mountain Valley is a natural spring water that has been bottled for over 140 years. It’s rich in natural minerals like calcium and magnesium. The consistent quality and natural mineral content make this water genuinely worth its premium price.
What sets Mountain Valley apart is their commitment to environmental responsibility. Mountain Valley Spring Water comes in recyclable, reusable glass bottles. While this adds to the cost, it eliminates concerns about plastic contamination and reduces environmental impact.
Voss: Scandinavian Purity at a Price
Voss’s water is sourced from a deep well in southern Norway where, upon arrival, it’s been naturally filtered through layers of earth and is bottled completely unprocessed. In terms of flavor, Voss water is similar to Liquid Death and Icelandic Glacial — it tastes natural yet not too much like minerals.
Our testing confirmed that Voss delivers on its promise of purity. Sourced from a deep aquifer in Norway, Voss water undergoes a rigorous filtration process to ensure its clean, crisp taste. The water is naturally low in minerals, providing a smooth and refreshing experience. The naturally low mineral content makes it taste exceptionally clean and pure.
The company got a leg up on this list because of its packaging. Not only is it made from recyclable glass, but it’s attractive enough for consumers (myself included) to be tempted to keep and reuse it, which is even better than recycling it. The iconic cylindrical glass bottle isn’t just for show—it actually protects the water’s purity better than plastic alternatives.
Eternal Water: Naturally Alkaline Excellence
Eternal’s spring water is arguably very good, and though it tastes similar to some of the other “plain” waters on this list, I found myself noticing its alkalinity in a way that made it taste slightly more hydrating. The water is sourced from springs in California and Tennessee, and gains its natural minerals while filtering through “layers of ancient rock and sandstone.”
Eternal is widely regarded as one of the healthiest bottled water brands available. Eternal water is naturally alkaline, with a pH level ranging from 7.8 to 8.2. Unlike artificially alkalized waters, Eternal achieves its higher pH naturally through contact with mineral-rich rock formations.
The dual sourcing from California and Tennessee ensures consistent availability while maintaining quality standards. Our testing found that Eternal consistently delivers on its promises without the PFAS contamination issues that plague many other brands.
Acqua Panna: The Foodie’s Choice
Acqua Panna is a premium bottled water known for its naturally balanced mineral profile and neutral pH, making it a great option for pairing with food. It is sourced from an underground spring in Tuscany, Italy, and is carefully filtered to retain its natural mineral content.
What makes Acqua Panna special is its mineral balance—it contains just enough minerals to enhance flavors without overwhelming your palate. This makes it particularly valuable for fine dining experiences where water quality can actually impact how food tastes. The spring has been protected for decades, ensuring consistent quality and taste.
While the Italian sourcing adds to the cost, the water genuinely offers something different from domestic alternatives. The mineral profile includes calcium, magnesium, and silica in naturally occurring proportions that create a smooth, sophisticated taste without the artificial feel of processed waters.
The Brands That Disappointed
Several popular brands that we tested simply didn’t live up to their marketing claims or price points. Poland Spring, despite its New England heritage and spring water claims, showed inconsistent quality and questionable sourcing practices. Poland Spring Water aims for 100% recycled material for their bottles by 2022. While environmental efforts are commendable, they don’t make up for water quality issues.
Crystal Geyser, another supposed spring water, performed poorly in taste tests and showed concerning variations between batches. The inconsistency suggests quality control problems that make it difficult to recommend despite its moderate pricing.
Evian, the French alpine water that commands premium prices, simply doesn’t deliver enough value to justify its cost. While the water is clean and safe, you’re paying largely for the brand name and imported status rather than superior quality. Domestic spring waters like those in our top five offer equal or better quality at significantly lower prices.
The Environmental Cost of Convenience
Beyond the quality and contamination issues, our investigation revealed the staggering environmental impact of the bottled water industry. Every single-use plastic bottle requires petroleum to produce, generates carbon emissions during transportation, and often ends up in landfills or oceans despite recycling efforts.
Some brands are making genuine efforts to address these concerns. Boxed Water Is Better water uses paper-based cartons instead of plastic bottles. The company’s packaging is made from renewable sources, and they use a portion of their profits to support reforestation projects. The brand also uses clean energy in its production process.
However, these environmentally conscious options often come with premium pricing that makes them inaccessible for everyday use. The reality is that for most consumers, a high-quality water filter system and reusable bottles provide better water quality, lower costs, and dramatically reduced environmental impact compared to any bottled water option.
Making the Right Choice for Your Health and Wallet
After testing fifteen popular bottled water brands and analyzing hundreds of data points, the verdict is clear: only five brands truly deliver value worthy of your money. Arrowhead provides excellent quality at budget-friendly prices, while Mountain Valley, Voss, Eternal, and Acqua Panna offer premium experiences that justify their higher costs.
The remaining ten brands we tested fell short due to various combinations of poor taste, questionable sourcing, contamination issues, or simply outrageous pricing for what amounts to fancy tap water. But seeking a “high-quality” agua should always be priority number one and Epperson advises consumers to follow one simple rule: Look for an ingredient list. “If it has one, it’s not a natural water. It should simply state the source’s location,” she reveals.
The most important takeaway from our investigation isn’t just which brands to buy or avoid—it’s the realization that the bottled water industry has built a multi-billion dollar business largely on marketing myths and consumer misconceptions. While convenient for emergencies or travel, bottled water should never be your primary hydration source when safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternatives exist right in your own home.
Remember that next time you’re standing in that grocery store aisle, staring at those gleaming bottles making impossible promises—sometimes the most expensive option is actually the worst choice you can make. Who would have guessed that clarity could be so murky?
