mineral water

Water with mineral constituents gathered from the rocks with which it comes in contact, and classified by these into earthy, brine, and oil mineral waters; also water with artificially added minerals and, sometimes, carbon dioxide.

Many people believe that mineral waters have curative powers, the types of these medicinal waters being alkaline (Vichy), bitter (Seidlitz), chalybeate (iron: Tunbridge Wells) salt (Droitwich), earthy (Bath), sulphurous (Saratoga Springs), and special varieties, such as barium (Harrogate). The most widely sold mineral water is Perrier, from the French village of Vergèze in western Provence. In 1990 minute traces of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, were found in samples of Perrier, and 160 million bottles were recalled. Production was resumed once charcoal filters at the bottling plant had been replaced.

Evian water comes from Haute-Savoie département, France, and Malvern water from Worcestershire, England.