Artesian water sounds fancy. There’s different brands and special types of it all over the grocery store. Is it actually good, healthy water to drink? What’s the difference? What’s artesian even mean? It costs more, so it must be different or great. Should you, actually, avoid artesian bottled water? No, you don’t have to avoid it. At the same time, whether it’s worth buying more expensive water might simply be up to you and your preferences.
What’s Artesian Water?
Artesian water is really spring water from a natural, underground aquifer – or collection of water. The water naturally comes to the surface on its own.
There are many examples, or brands, or companies, of bottled artesian water on the store shelves. The most popular may be Fiji. Officially, no government agency or any other authority says there’s a physical, scientific or health difference in artesian water compared to any other source of water.
What are Possible Benefits of Artesian Water?
Since it costs more, and comes in fancy bottles, it must be better, right? There are claims of it being naturally filtered water. Some say it tastes better, and that’s a fine preference for some. What’s true? Partially true? It depends?
Natural Minerals
This is tested and true, at least with most sources of artesian water. It on average as a higher natural mineral content. This makes it healthier, although it can be possible to intake too many minerals. According to many, it gives the water a better, more refreshing, crisper taste.
Calcium, fluoride and electrolytes are naturally in artesian water. For most people, in most cases, at most of the levels present in the water, this is a healthy benefit.
Drinking More Water
If people like drinking artesian water because of the taste, or the minerals, or the cool bottle, or it’s from France, it’s healthy to drink more water no matter the reason. There are multiple important health benefits to staying hydrated each day. If you don’t drink enough water because your tap water doesn’t taste good, and artesian water is what you like, it’s a positive.
Natural Filtration, Maybe
Some claims about the filtration process of an artesian water source might be true, sometimes, and other claims are just claims. There’s no scientific evidence for artesian water, overall, being cleaner and better filtered than normal tap water going through normal treatment. Claims made by brands such as “detoxification” or “stress relief” are not proven or scientific.
Where Can You Find Artesian Water?
There are sources of artesian water all around the world. Artesian water has been valuable for millennia and to many different civilizations.
The word “artesian” comes from Artois, in France, where there are famous artesian wells. There are known artesian wells in the United States, specifically in California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Maryland.
How is an Artesian Well Formed?
An artesian well is created by water flowing down an area of land and passing into permeable rock, such as gravel, sedimentary rock or sand. This permeable rock material has to be located within a non-porous rock layer, which will then produce a high-pressure space. The high pressure forces water to rise toward the surface, then to flow out, it can create effectively a small geyser but with no steam.
People do not build artesian wells. They are a natural occurrence. So all we need to do is find the most effective way to access the water.
Can Artesian Water Have Risks?
The source of an artesian well can affect the benefits or risks to drinking the water from the well. If you were to take water directly from an artesian source, what would some potential risks be? Thinking more routinely about bottled artesian water, what are the drawbacks there?
Poor Water Quality
Some artesian wells and water could be of inadequate or contaminated. The ground surface or confined aquifer the well is coming from could have particulates or contaminants. An artesian well could have some natural filtration effects to it, but it shouldn’t be counted on for safe drinking water straight from the source.
Bottled Water is Expensive
This isn’t only for artesian water which winds up with labels, bottles and brand names. If you’re spending a lot of money on bottled water, it can be rough on your wallet and it has environmental impact, too. If your main goal is clean, safe water, there are usually other options or systems which would be less expensive.
Water Still Needs Treating
It’s not right to assume an artesian well is giving clean, safe water with no need for filtration or treatment.
Some rock beds have harmful material such as arsenic or sulfur. There are other organic or inorganic particulates which can get into a natural water source and, while amazing, the natural course of artesian water isn’t a perfect filter. Think of very normal matter such as sand or sediment.
It is very important to fully and safely treat any kind of water that comes from a natural well, and it’s also true for artesian water. Artesian water which winds up on the shelves in bottles is treated to ensure it’s safe for consumption prior to it being on the shelf. If you have your own well, you’ll need to utilize a water filter system to know you and everyone drinking the water is safe.
South End Water Filtration specializes in HALO Water Filter products including the HALO H2 Zero Whole Home Water Filter. HALO systems solve hard water problems, give your family clear, great-tasting water and are totally maintenance free. We’re just a click away to help and answer any questions. South End Plumbing and South End Water Filtration will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-486-1988 or contact us online to schedule a visit.