Bottled Water Processing: Making Groundwater Safe for Human Consumption

It goes without saying that water is more than just a liquid. It’s one of the most precious gifts of our planet and the life force of all living organisms. Water plays a key role in several body functions, including bringing nutrients to cells, protecting body organs, and maintaining body temperature. Without water, we can’t imagine the lush landscape and thriving ecosystems we all cherish.

In today’s fast-paced world, where convenience meets accessibility, bottled water emerges as the standard of modern hydration. Join us as we dive deep into the journey of water from its nature origins to the sleek bottles available at retail stores. Along our journey, we’ll explore the bottled water processing technologies and processes that transform everyday water into a refreshing beverage.

What is Bottled Water?

In its essence, bottled water is drinking water packaged in glass or plastic water bottles. It can be available with or without carbonation, with packaging sizes ranging from small bottles to large carboys for water coolers. Bottled water is available in several forms, and its consumption is influenced by factors such as taste, convenience, and perceived safety.

The consumption of bottled water has increased significantly over the past few years, owing to the convenience, health benefits, and safety assurances it has to offer. This, in turn, has led to increased demand for bottled water processing systems. According to our latest analysis, the bottled water processing market is poised to reach USD 13.55 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

Types of Bottled Water:

The most common types of bottled water are given below:

• Distilled Water: Distilled water is a type of bottled water that has been purified through a process called distillation. The distillation process involves boiling the water into vapor and condensing it back into a liquid in a separate container. Impurities in the original water that don’t boil below or near the boiling point of water stay back in the container.
• Purified Water: Purified water is water that has been treated to remove contaminants and impurities. It is typically made from tap water or groundwater and can undergo multiple purification processes, such as reverse osmosis, UV water purification, and ultrafiltration. Purified water is used in many applications, including drinking, pharmaceuticals, and laboratories.
• Mineral Water: Mineral water is drinking water that contains dissolved minerals such as potassium, calcium, and iron. It can come from natural springs or underground reservoirs and may be naturally carbonated or artificially carbonated. Along with minerals, mineral water can also contain gases like hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide.
• Spring Water: Spring water is water that comes from a natural underground source and flows out on the earth’s surface. As the earth naturally filters this water type, it needs minimal treatment before it is bottled. Spring water has a crisp, fresh taste and is one of the most refreshing types of bottled water available in the premium bottled water market.

How is Bottled Water Processed?

The process of transforming water from natural sources into bottled water involves several steps. First, an engine siphon is used to draw water from natural sources into the bottled water processing unit. Then, coagulation synthetic is added to the water to remove the settled colloidal and other suspended materials. The next step involves sanitizing the water using oxidants like chlorine or other synthetic substances to eliminate microbes and other organisms.

After this, the water goes through the filtration stage. Bottled water processing units typically use a filtration framework such as sand filtration, carbon filtration, or UV light filtration to remove impurities. For additional filtration, water may be assimilated on actuated carbon, which eliminates most of the harmful substances broken down in the water. Also, it helps in removing any scents or smells in the water.

Once done with filtration, the water is made to pass through a tank containing sodium particles. The tanks, which contain gum pellets, eliminate any contaminants that may be left in the water during the filtration process. The water is then taken to the packaging segment, where packaging is done as a continuous activity.

Latest Developments in Bottled Water Processing:

The market for bottled water processing is characterized by the presence of both established companies and new entrants. Companies such as Coco Cola, Danone, Nestle, Pepsico, and SUEZ constantly upgrade their technologies and adopt strategic developments to introduce new products and stay ahead of the competition. Here are some of the latest developments in the market:

• In April 2024, Donaldson Company, Inc., a leading provider of filtration products, announced that it acquired a minority stake in Italy’s Medica SpA. Medica is a leader in how hollow fiber membrane filtration technology for water purification. The acquisition supports Donaldson’s plan of expanding its life sciences business.
• In February 2024, SUEZ, a global leader in reliable water and wastewater solutions, secured a new contract for the Buaran III Water Treatment Plant (WTP) project in Jakarta. With the new project, SUEZ will enhance drinking water safety and reliability in Indonesia.

Ensuring Water Safety

In recent times, there has been a significant rise in bottled water consumption as it’s considered safe and better tasting than tap water. Bottled water processing technology aids in removing the harmful bacteria and contaminants present in water while making it safe for human consumption. The rising health awareness and recognized benefits of body hydration are anticipated to fuel the demand for bottled water processing systems in the upcoming years.