Spring Water vs Purified Water: What’s the Difference
- Little Hampton Spring
- Nov 20, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
When choosing bottled water, you may see terms such as spring water, purified water, filtered water and mineral water. While they can all be suitable for drinking, they are not necessarily the same.
One of the biggest differences is where the water comes from and how it is treated before it reaches you.
Spring water is associated with a naturally occurring underground source, while purified water is defined primarily by the purification processes used to treat it.
So, when comparing spring water vs purified water, what should you actually look for?
What Is Spring Water?
Spring water originates from an underground water source associated with a natural spring.
As water moves through the surrounding geology, it can naturally acquire minerals that contribute to its individual mineral profile and taste.
This means that the character of spring water can vary depending on where it comes from.
For consumers choosing Australian spring water, provenance is therefore an important consideration. Knowing the region and source provides greater transparency about the water you are drinking.
Little Hampton Spring Water comes from a natural spring in Victoria's Hepburn Region, an area long associated with natural springs and mineral waters.
What Is Purified Water?
Purified water is different because the term describes the treatment of the water rather than necessarily its original source.
Water can be purified using processes such as reverse osmosis, distillation or other filtration and treatment methods designed to remove dissolved substances and impurities.
Depending on the product and process used, purified water may therefore begin with water from a variety of sources.
This is one of the simplest ways to understand the distinction:
Spring water is closely connected to its natural source and provenance.
Purified water is characterised primarily by the treatment process used to produce it.
Spring Water vs Purified Water: Key Differences
When comparing the two, there are several characteristics worth considering.
Feature | Spring Water | Purified Water |
Origin | Natural underground source | Can originate from various water sources |
Minerals | May contain naturally occurring minerals from its source | Mineral content can be reduced or altered during purification |
Treatment | Treatment depends on the water and applicable requirements | Typically undergoes purification processes |
Taste | Can reflect its natural mineral composition | Often designed to have a neutral, consistent taste |
Provenance | Source and region can be an important part of the product | Usually defined more by processing than geographic origin |
Neither type is automatically "better". The right choice depends on what you value in drinking water.
Does Spring Water Taste Different From Purified Water?
It can.
Water isn't simply H₂O. Dissolved minerals and the overall composition of the water can influence its taste and mouthfeel.
Naturally occurring minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium can be present in spring water in varying amounts depending on the source.
Purification processes such as reverse osmosis can remove a significant proportion of dissolved minerals, which can produce a more neutral taste.
This is why waters from different natural sources can taste noticeably different even though they may look identical in the glass.
Does Spring Water Contain Minerals?
Spring water can contain naturally occurring minerals acquired through contact with the geology surrounding its underground source.
However, more minerals does not automatically mean better water.
The balance of those minerals contributes to the individual character of a spring water.
Little Hampton has a light, balanced mineral profile, including naturally occurring calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Is Spring Water Better Than Purified Water?
There isn't a universal answer.
Purified water may appeal to someone looking for highly processed water with a neutral and consistent composition.
Spring water may appeal to someone who values natural provenance, traceable sourcing and the individual characteristics associated with a particular spring.
For premium bottled water, these differences become particularly relevant because consumers may be choosing water not simply for hydration, but also for taste, presentation, origin and the dining experience.
What Should You Look for When Choosing Spring Water?
Rather than relying solely on the words on the front of the bottle, look more closely at the information provided by the brand.
Consider:
Where does the water come from?
Does the company clearly identify its source or region?
Is mineral information available?
What quality and food-safety standards are used?
What packaging options are available?
Is the company transparent about where the water is sourced and where it is filled?
These details can tell you much more about a bottled water than branding alone.
Where Does Little Hampton Spring Water Come From?
Little Hampton Spring Water is sourced from a natural spring in Victoria's Hepburn Region.
Importantly, we distinguish between where our water comes from and where it is filled.
Our spring water is transported from the spring source and filled and packaged at our dedicated water-only facility in Doveton, Victoria.
The facility is dedicated to water production rather than the manufacture of soft drinks, juices or flavoured beverages.
We believe this distinction matters because consumers should be able to understand both the provenance of their water and how it reaches the finished bottle or can.
What About Packaging?
The water itself is only one part of choosing bottled water.
Packaging can also influence the drinking occasion, presentation and recyclability of the product.
Little Hampton Spring Water is available in recyclable glass bottles and aluminium cans, with both still and sparkling options.
Glass is particularly suited to restaurants, hotels, events and dining occasions where presentation matters, while aluminium cans provide a lightweight and highly recyclable alternative.
Spring Water vs Purified Water: The Bottom Line
The main difference between spring water and purified water comes down to source and treatment.
Spring water is connected to a naturally occurring underground source and can retain a mineral profile influenced by its surrounding geology.
Purified water is defined primarily by the processes used to remove substances from the water, regardless of where that water originally came from.
Neither should automatically be described as better.
But if you are looking for water with a traceable Australian source, natural provenance and a distinctive mineral profile, those are qualities worth looking for when comparing spring waters.
Little Hampton Spring Water comes from Victoria's Hepburn Region and is available in still and sparkling varieties across premium glass bottles and recyclable aluminium cans.
Comments