10 Types of Water: Is there a Best Type of Water to Drink?

How often do you think about what type of water you drink? 

Most of us settle into a routine that we follow on a regular basis, drinking the same water day in and day out.

For some, drinking tap water is the most normal thing in the world. For others, bottled water is the go-to. For still others, purified water is the only thing they’ll put in their bodies.

But is there a "best" type of water? Is any one type of water better than another?

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the various types of water available to you to help you see which is the smartest choice for you to drink on a daily basis. 

1. Tap Water

Tap water comes from your kitchen faucets or from the hose you hook up to your kitchen fridge (if it has a built-in water dispenser). It’s fed into your home by pipes that connect you to the local or municipal water supply. 

Typically, tap water is sourced from a river or dam near your city, but gets treated at a water treatment facility before being stored and supplied to your home. There are certain government regulations and guidelines that have to be met in order for the water to be delivered to your house. However, these don’t always make that water "safe".

For example, some tap water will be contaminated, as we’ve seen with the water supply in places like Flint, Michigan, and others. 

Tap water is also more prone to being contaminated with plastic particles, particulates from old pipes, aluminum, pesticide residue, and sediment from the source or reservoir. 

The safety of tap water varies from city to city, as does its taste. It’s always a good idea to research the tap water in your city (or even neighborhood) in order to determine whether it’s safe and healthy to drink. 

2. Well Water

Well water is more common in rural areas, where deep wells tap into underground rivers or water sources. These wells pump water to the surface, providing a steady supply.

Well water is usually "raw" and "untreated", meaning that you absolutely need some sort of home purification and/or filtration system to make the water suitable for drinking. 

However, most people who rely on wells for their primary water source utilize filtration systems that effectively eradicate pathogens and particulates and make the water clean to drink. 

Be warned: wells are at a higher risk of contamination than other more regulated water sources. It’s smart to test your well water annually to make certain it’s not contaminated by bacteria, parasites, particulates, heavy metals, or nitrates.  

3. Filtered Water 

Filtered water is water that has been run through a filtration system. 

It can come from tap or well water, but it always passes through a filtration system, often with carbon filters. This process removes sediment, particulates, and, in municipal water, chlorine.

Filtered water is one of the "cleaner" water types, as the filtration system will eliminate a lot of the potential hazards. However, there is still a risk of bacteria and parasites, as well as micro-particulates that are simply too small to be trapped by the filtration system.

4. Purified Water

Purified water is basically filtered water with a few extra steps.

Typically, the first stage of the purification process is a filtration process. The water (be it well water or municipal water) is run through the carbon filters to trap the larger sediments and particulates.

However, instead of just stopping there, the purification system adds on another layer of cleansing: purification. 

The filtered water is run through purification systems that use various purification methods, such as deionization, distillation, or reverse osmosis. These processes remove water contaminants and any smaller particulates that slipped through the filters. They also eliminate pathogens, including bacteria and parasites.

The end result of these purification processes is water that is very clean and safe to drink, regardless of its source. 

One thing to note is that home systems that use reverse osmosis to purify water will also strip the water of the majority of its minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.). This will lower the pH level of the water, making it more acidic. 

High-acid water may increase your risk of acid reflux and heartburn, contribute to tooth decay, and potentially lead to bone health problems (though further research is needed to verify this last claim). 

5. Spring or Glacier Water

Spring water is collected from springs, directly at the source of the water. Because of that, it’s typically free of contaminants, bacteria, and parasites. There may be some particulates, but those are usually eradicated during the filtration process. A lot of spring water goes through as it travels from its underground source to the surface.

Glacier water is collected from melting glaciers. Again, it’s collected directly from the source, so is usually safe to drink with minimal treatment required. 

On the upside, more glacier and spring water is rich in vital minerals that make it "healthier" and give it a unique taste. On the downside, however, it’s typically far more expensive than "standard" bottled water. 

6. Alkaline Water

Alkaline water is basically water that has passed over or through rocks that have a high mineral content. 

As the water wears away at the rocks, it’s infused with the minerals from the rocks, which raises its pH and makes it more alkaline than "standard" water.

It is believed (without much evidence [1]) that the high alkaline content of alkaline water can neutralize acids in the human body and maintain a healthy pH level. 

However, be warned: reducing the acidity in your stomach by drinking a lot of alkaline water can actually reduce your body’s natural ability to eradicate bacteria. Excessive consumption of alkaline water can also lead to metabolic alkalosis, leading to vomiting, nausea, and other symptoms. 

Potential Health Benefits and Risks of Alkaline Water

To understand the potential health benefits and risks of alkaline water, you need to understand what "alkaline" means.

Anything that is alkaline has a high pH level. In contrast, anything that is acidic has a low pH level. Typically, the "ideal" pH level for drinking water is anything between 6.5 and 8.5, right in the middle of alkaline and acid.

Bottled water is usually at a neutral pH, or 7.0. Bottled alkaline water, however, tends to have a higher, or more alkaline, pH, usually between 8.0 and 9.0.

As mentioned above, there isn’t a lot of conclusive evidence to prove that alkaline water can offer any real benefits. Possible benefits include a reduced risk of stomach acidity, heartburn, and acid reflux, albeit short-term. Some studies have suggested benefits—it may improve bone density, accelerate metabolism, or increase hydration. But without further research, these claims have no concrete foundation. 

On the downside, people who have a higher pH due to taking medications that block the production of stomach acids may find that drinking alkaline water could raise their stomach to dangerously high pH levels. It can increase blood pH, which raises the levels of certain chemicals (like potassium) in the blood. This can be problematic for people with kidney disease. 

7. Hydrogen Water

Hydrogen water is essentially water (filtered or purified) that has been infused with hydrogen gas (similar to carbonation infusing CO2 gas). 

Some research [2] has pointed to potential benefits of drinking hydrogen water, including:

• Enhanced athletic performance and faster post-workout recovery;
• Decreased inflammation overall, as well as due to muscle damage caused by exercise;
• Reduced symptoms and side effects of radiation therapy;
• Higher antioxidant content that led to decreased oxidative stress,

The evidence to support the theory that hydrogen water is superior form of water is growing so watch out for the next big thing in health.  

Potential Health Benefits of Hydrogen Water and Scientific Evidence

Hydrogen water research is fairly limited, but what studies have been done point to some promising results.

One systematic review [3] found that hydrogen water offered a number of benefits, including:

• Enhanced exercise capacity;
• Increased physical endurance;
• Reduced cardiovascular disease risk;
• Improved liver function;
• Decreased COVID-19 risk;
• Improved resilience against oxidative stress.

A lot more research is needed to thoroughly investigate the full scope of hydrogen water and determine just how wide a range of additional health benefits it can provide. However, preliminary research is promising. 

8. Distilled Water 

Distilled water is essentially water that has been boiled, turned to steam, and then collected in that steam form and allowed to condense back into water.

The boiling and evaporation process eliminates all pathogens from the water, and it’s highly effective at purifying even contaminated water. 

On the downside, however, the distillation process also eliminates all essential minerals and vitamins from the water. The lack of minerals in the water may actually be harmful, as it pulls healthy minerals from other sources (such as your teeth) as you absorb it.

9. Mineral Water

Mineral water comes from mineral springs, and typically tend to be replete with minerals: calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and more. These minerals are critical for the healthy functioning of your body, so mineral water is usually seen as a "healthier" form of water. 

Mineral water may also aid in digestion, and a lot of people prefer the taste of mineral water.

However, be advised: most of the minerals found in mineral water can also be obtained through a healthy, balanced diet. You don’t need mineral water just because it is rich in minerals. 

Mineral water is also significantly more expensive than even the typical spring or glacier waters. 

10. Sparkling Water 

Last but not least, there is sparkling water.

Sparkling water is the fancy name for club soda or carbonated water, water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas during the bottling process. 

People enjoy sparkling water because it has a more active mouthfeel, and even a different taste (due to the CO2 gas) than flat water. Some sparkling water is derived from mineral sources, so it contains those added (if minor) benefits of mineral water.

However, there are no concrete benefits of sparkling water except for the fact that it encourages you to drink more fluids. 

Which Is The Healthiest Option for Daily Consumption

After learning how many different types of drinking water there are, you might be feeling at a bit of a loss to know which is best. There are so many to choose from, and some certainly sound better than others. 

So what type of water is the ideal for your daily consumption?

Tap water is, in most of the country, the best option for those who are looking to keep their waste generation low. 

Most municipal water supply is treated with chemicals, filtered, and purified to be potable. You can typically drink right out of the tap and though some water may have a taste (due to the minerals and chemicals), it’s safe to drink and use to wash and cook your food.

That being said, there are some states that have unsafe or less-safe tap water. Aquasana has a list of a number of states with the "worst tap water" based on the condition of the pipes, high chemical or heavy metal levels, or higher risk of pollution.

If you live in an area where tap water isn’t ideal for drinking (due to taste or possible pollution), you may want to drink bottled water, filtered water, or purified water.

Bottled water is usually filtered and purified. However, consumption of bottled water generates a lot of waste (plastic jugs and bottles). You can buy your own filtration pitchers or filtration systems to use at home, as well as in-home water purifiers.

Well water that has been filtered and purified may be safe to drink, as is spring or glacier water. 

Alkaline water may be good for your health because of its ability to reduce acidity in your body. However, if you are taking medications to reduce stomach acid production, alkaline water may contribute to health problems. 

How to Ensure Your Water is Safe to Drink 

If you live in a city or town with a municipal water supply, the water should already be safe to drink. However, you can always consider using an in-home filtration or purification system to remove sediment, particulates, or microbes. 

Use the Environmental Working Group’s Water Quality Database to get a full report of the quality of your local tap water or municipal water supply. The database will tell you if there are high levels of certain minerals or chemicals you need to be aware of.

And if, for whatever reason, you have cause to suspect your tap water isn’t safe to drink, boil it before use. Boiling kills off germs and microbes, rendering most water potable.

You can also use activated charcoal or water purification tablets to neutralize contaminants and filter it to eliminate particulate matter. 

Always keep a stock of bottled water handy (stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight) to use in case of an emergency. 

Wrapping Up: What’s the Best and Healthiest Water?

If we had to choose one type of water to label the "best", it would have to be purified water, even though hydrogen water is definitely the runner up.

Purified water is the cleanest, safest form of water to drink. You can buy purified water in bottles or install your own in-home purification system to purify your home’s tap or well water supply.

It’s the cheapest, smartest, and most efficient solution to stay healthy in the long term.

However, hydrogen water now shows positive evidence of anti-inflammatory benefits so it may be worth trying it out. 

Our friend and health researcher Trevor King spent the last 18 months interviewing doctors and scientists about this topic…

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is black water?

There are two uses for the term "black water". The original use refers to wastewater that comes from toilets, containing toilet paper, human waste, and urine. However, in recent years, a type of bottled alkaline water containing fulvic acid and mineral and vitamin additives has been marketed under the label "black water". Though tasteless, this black water claims to provide anti-aging, health-boosting benefits such as better gut health and improved blood sugar control. 

What is green water?

Green water is the water stored by soil and absorbed into the roots of plants and trees. It may leave the plants through water runoff and enter other bodies of water—such as lakes or ponds. It is considered unsafe to drink.

Can you drink distilled water?

Distilled water is generally safe to drink. However, it has been stripped of all its minerals and vitamins, so will have less nutrition, higher acidity, and a flatter taste. 

What are hard water and soft water?

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, leading to scale buildup in pipes and appliances. While generally safe to drink and providing essential minerals, long-term exposure to very high mineral content may contribute to health conditions like kidney stones. It can also cause dry skin and irritation. A water softener removes these minerals, converting hard water into soft water, which is gentler on plumbing and skin. However, soft water treated with sodium may not be ideal for those on low-sodium diets.

Resources

Is alkaline water better for you than plain water?

What Is Alkaline Water?

Is alkaline water better?

Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?—A Systematic Review

Hydrogen Water Health Benefits

Reverse Osmosis Water Benefits & Disadvantages