Spring Water vs Purified Water: Understanding the Difference

When browsing the bottled water aisle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by labels like spring water, purified water, mineral water, and more. While they may look similar on the shelf, these water types vary significantly in source, mineral content, and flavour. At Aquaworks, we believe in transparency — so here’s a clear breakdown to help you choose the water that best aligns with your lifestyle and hydration needs.

Understanding the difference between spring water and purified water — and why Aquaworks chooses natural Australian spring sources for purity, taste, and sustainability.

Where Your Water Comes From

Spring Water: Nature’s Original Hydration

Spring water begins its journey deep underground. Naturally filtered through layers of ancient rock and mineral-rich earth, it rises to the surface on its own or is accessed via a protected aquifer. This natural journey gives spring water its clean profile and naturally occurring minerals.

All Aquaworks spring water brands — Little Hampton, Acqua Sorrento, Peninsula Springs, and Skull Water — are sourced from protected Australian springs in the Hepburn region and bottled at the source for freshness, purity, and consistency.

Purified Water: Highly Processed H₂O

Purified water can come from almost any origin, including municipal tap water. It goes through extensive treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionization to remove virtually all minerals and impurities. The result is extremely “pure” water — but without the natural minerals that give spring water its flavour and character.

Minerals, Taste, and Why It Matters

Spring water naturally contains trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate — elements that contribute to hydration, electrolyte balance, and overall wellbeing. These minerals also give spring water a smooth, crisp taste that can vary slightly depending on the geological formation it travels through.

Purified water has little to no mineral content. Its taste is neutral — ideal for those who prefer a very clean, flavourless profile but less appealing for those who appreciate water with natural character.

Processing: Lightly Touched vs Highly Engineered

Spring water undergoes minimal processing. It may be lightly filtered or UV-treated to meet safety standards, but the goal is always to preserve its natural integrity.

Purified water is heavily processed, often stripping away beneficial minerals along with impurities. Some producers add minerals back for taste, but this is different from minerals that occur naturally in the water’s journey.

Environmental Considerations

The sustainability impact of water depends largely on packaging and sourcing. At Aquaworks, we prioritise:

• Protected local springs

• Water-only bottling and canning lines

• Glass, aluminium, and BPA-free packaging

• Minimising transport distance

• Lower carbon footprint materials

Our entire portfolio is designed to support a cleaner future without compromising on premium quality.

Which Water Is Right for You?

Choose Spring Water if you want:

• Naturally occurring minerals

• A clean, refreshing taste

• Water that reflects the environment it comes from

• Hydration in its most natural form

Choose Purified Water if you want:

• Completely neutral taste

• Zero mineral content

• Highly processed H₂O suitable for specialised uses

Both hydrate — but spring water offers a naturally balanced mineral profile that purified water can't replicate.

The Aquaworks Commitment

At Aquaworks, we’re proud to produce some of Australia’s most premium spring water brands — each bottled at the source, each crafted to highlight natural purity, and each designed for a different lifestyle:

• Little Hampton Spring Water – premium glass and aluminium for dining, wellness, and luxury hydration

• Acqua Sorrento – Italian-inspired sparkling with light, refreshing carbonation

• Peninsula Springs – family-friendly hydration in pop-tops and cans

• Skull Water – bold, youthful, festival-ready hydration for the next generation

No matter which you choose, every bottle and can reflects our uncompromising commitment to quality, purity, and sustainability.

Conclusion: Spring Water vs Purified Water

Understanding the difference between spring water vs purified water helps you make a confident, informed choice. At Aquaworks, we believe nature delivers the perfect formula — balanced minerals, clean flavour, and unmatched purity. Our spring water brands are crafted to highlight these natural qualities, offering hydration that is authentic, sustainable, and unmistakably Australian.