In this article we will explore some of the famous bottled water brands, detailing their sources, ownership, and contents. Some brands use tap water, while others come from regions with limited water supplies. You use this brands but do not know their origin that concealed behind them. So let’s know about them.
5) Evian
One of the famous bottled water brands is Evian. The story of Evian began in 1789 when a French nobleman, Marque Evian De Laser, discovered the spring water while walking by a local landowner’s property. After drinking the water for his kidney issues and feeling better, news of its benefits spread, leading to a bottling operation in the early 1800s.
Currently, Evian is owned by Danone, a French food company, and the bottles are made from 100% recyclable materials, though less than 30% of plastic bottles are recycled worldwide. Interestingly, “Evian” spelled backward is “naive,” which the company claims is purely coincidental, although many doubt this explanation.
4) Voss
One of the famous bottled water brands is Voss, is a bottle designed for restaurants and aims to create an emotional connection. It contains water from an artesian aquifer in Ivand, Norway, where natural pressure allows the water to rise without pumping. The protected source has filtered the water through layers of rock and ice for centuries, resulting in low total dissolved solids, making it very pure and nearly mineral-free.
The cylindrical glass bottle was created by Neil Craft, a former Calvin Klein designer, reflecting its intent as a lifestyle object rather than just a water brand. Voss was introduced in New York restaurants in 2000 and quickly expanded to upscale hotels and lounges around the world. While it is a Norwegian brand, it is primarily owned by a private equity group in the United States, although the water remains from Norway.
3) Fiji
One of the famous bottled water brands is Fiji. Fiji Water comes from a unique aquifer on the island of Vitil Levu in Fiji. This water is filtered through volcanic rock, giving it a soft taste that many people know. However, there is a serious issue not often mentioned: many people in Fiji struggle to access clean drinking water. In 2006, the local government reported that a large portion of the population lacked reliable water access while Fiji Water was exporting millions of bottles worldwide. This situation led to public backlash against the brand.
Fiji Water is owned by the Wonderful Company, based in California, which also owns other popular products. The founders, Linda and Stuart Resnik, are influential and controversial figures in the agricultural business. In 2010, Fiji Water clashed with the Fijian government over increased taxes on water extraction. The company threatened to cease operations, and for a day, they did stop production. The government ultimately backed down, showing the significant power that this single water brand held over the national government.
2) Smartwater
One of the famous bottled water brands is Smartwater, is vapor-distilled, meaning it is made by evaporating water and then adding back minerals like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate. This process results in very pure water with a consistent mineral profile. The product was created in 1996 by a company called Glasso, and the term “smart” refers to the electrolyte process rather than any cognitive benefits. Coca-Cola purchased Glasso in 2007 for $4.1 billion, a significant event in beverage history.
Importantly, the source water for Smart Water comes from municipal supplies, which is essentially tap water that has been purified. While this fact is mentioned on the label, the branding and advertising, such as featuring Jennifer Aniston, do not highlight this aspect. Although the distillation process is genuine and the water is clean, understanding its source may alter the perception of its premium status.
1) Perrier
One of the famous bottled water brands is Perrier, is a unique sparkling water brand with a rich history, sourced from a spring in Veres, southern France. Its distinct feature is natural carbonation, as CO2 gas bubbles up from deep underground, unlike many sparkling waters that use artificial carbonation. The brand was founded by St. John Harmsworth, a British entrepreneur who acquired the spring in 1903 after a car accident.
While recovering in the area, he became passionate about the spring’s water, began bottling it, designed its characteristic green bottle, and marketed it to the British elite and eventually American consumers. By the 1980s, Perrier became a symbol of sophistication in the U.S., often seen in films and upscale dinners.