When you reach for a bottle of water, you could be confronted with dozens, if not hundreds, of choices in regards to the type of water and its origin. Three of the most common types of bottled water are mineral, Artesian, and spring. There are various locations throughout the world known for their waters of these three types. Here are some of the most notable.

Mineral Water

Mineral water refers to a drink that comes from a natural spring or well and contains a tiny part dissolved solids. Although some sceptics might refer to these dissolved solids as impurities, others claim they provide definite health benefits. In most countries, adding minerals to the water that don’t occur naturally prevents the bottle from being labelled as ‘mineral water’.

While there are mineral springs in nearly every country in the world, Italy is notable for its crystal clear springs. The Piedmont region, in particular, is renowned for its low mineral content and exceptional taste. The reason for such great water? The climate in Piedmont creates annual heavy snowfall while the geographic aspects of the region include volcanic rock, which is thought to help the clarity of taste of the water that percolates through it. France also has two of the most globally popular brands, Perrier and Evian.

Artesian Water

To be considered artesian, water must come from a well in an aquifer. An aquifer consists of a rock formation which contains and transmits water and lies below the surface of the geographic area. Pressure forces the water up into a well above the level of the aquifer.

Because artesian wells can be found anywhere, there are no associated minerals or health benefits. There are also a plethora of locations around the world that produce delicious, clear drinking water from Hawaii all the way to Australia (yes, there are artesian wells even in the desert!). One popular worldwide brand of bottled artesian water is Fiji, from the Fiji Islands.

Spring Water

Natural springs, which allow ground water to flow from below the earth to its surface, produce spring water. As it moves upward, minerals dissolve in it and perhaps even produce natural bubbles as the result of the presence of carbon dioxide. If you think there is little difference between mineral water and spring water, you are correct. The terms and labels are often deceiving because they are used interchangeably.

Some of the most notable worldwide locations for clear springs that produce delicious water are Delphi, Greece; Aachtopf, Germany; Fontaine de Vaucluse, France; Shandong, China; Jerusalem, New Zealand and areas throughout the United States.

Luckily, whether or not you believe the health claims for the water that comes naturally from various regions, you have lots of choice when it comes to choosing drinking water.

Damien Higgins writes for Eden Springs, whose Eden Springs office water dispenser decants delicious mineral spring water.