Standards: tap water vs. bottled water

Many people do not realize that the standards for tap water and bottled water are not exactly the same. For example, nitrate content is limited to:

• 50 mg/L for tap water
• 15 mg/L for certain bottled waters intended for infants

This difference raises questions and leaves some consumers feeling that the standards are inconsistent.

Tap water remains the most closely monitored food product in France. However, concentrations can vary in certain regions (nitrates, treatment residues, traces of PFAS, pesticides, etc.).

Minerals: not all water is equal

Water is classified by its dry residue at 180°C:

• Very low mineral content (< 50 mg/L): Metzeral, Mont Roucous, Montcalm
• Low mineral content (50–500 mg/L): Celtic, Volvic, Evian
• Moderate mineral content (500–1,500 mg/L): Contrex, Badoit
• High mineral content (>1,500 mg/L): Vichy Saint-Yorre, Hépar

The higher the mineral content, the more useful water may be for occasional needs (sports, deficiencies, therapeutic courses). For daily hydration, however, water with a low mineral content is generally preferable.

Bottled water: surprising facts

Some mineral profiles may exceed certain recommended values for daily use. For example:

• High fluoride (e.g., Quézac)
• High sulfates (e.g., San Pellegrino)
• High sodium (e.g., Vichy Saint-Yorre)

This does not mean these waters are dangerous — but they are not suitable for everyone's daily consumption.

Finally, the price (30 to 50 times higher than tap water) and the environmental impact of plastic remain major concerns.

The special case of Cristaline

The Cristaline brand includes more than 20 different springs. Their composition varies depending on the region where you buy it, which explains the differences in taste and mineral content.

As a result, some Cristaline waters have a very low mineral content, while others contain much more. That is why it is important to read the label for the specific spring.

Thermal spring water: specific uses

Thermal spring waters have historically been intended for therapeutic courses, consumed in small quantities on site. When bottled, their use changes and they lose some of their natural characteristics.

These are therapeutic waters, but they are not intended to replace your everyday drinking water.

View our water dynamizers

Be mindful of minerals

Some mineral waters with very high mineral content are unsuitable for prolonged daily consumption. They can strain the kidneys in some sensitive individuals.

The ideal water for everyday use: water with a low mineral content, or RO water remineralized to meet your needs.

What about soda?

Even though sodas are mostly water, they never replace water. You should only drink them occasionally.

A modern alternative: a home RO system

If you want to:

• reduce your plastic consumption
• drink pure water every day
• protect yourself from PFAS, pesticides, and micropollutants*

A home reverse osmosis system is a sustainable solution. It filters tap water very finely and produces RO water with a low mineral content, ideal for daily hydration.

Discover which RO system to choose

*depending on system performance – see data sheets