Patty has advanced degrees in preventive medicine and health psychology, with 35 years of work in allergy and other autoimmune treatment.
The Mystery of Adobe Springs and Noah's Spring Water
The brand name "Noah's Spring Water" should make one feel confident in its product since Noah of the Old Testament survived a storm and 40 days of flooding with his family in an ark brimful of animals. They even found dry land and created a new community.
Despite the Old Testament accounts, one consumer was less than confident in the company that makes this product. This is because the source of the water was vague and hard to find—if it indeed existed at all. In the complaint, there was mention of Adobe Springs in California.
Having just stumbled into the grocery store conversation, I was intrigued and decided to follow up. I enjoy cooking with spring water and wondered: just where do our related purchases originate?
Noah's Ark full-size exhibit in Germany
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Beverage Marketing, a research and consulting company reported that in 2016, soda was bumped to second place when bottled water took its spot as America’s Most Popular Drink.
— NBC Affiliate, WLTZ News, March 10, 2017
A Long Journey to Water
Personally, I feel that I had to search too much for consumer information that should be listed on a company's website.
A couple of real estate companies in California listed related information, leading me finally to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Many real estate companies offer a large amount of useful information on their websites and are as good as encyclopedias, census reports, and almanacs that describe the cities and towns of our country.
GNIS lists the Adobe Springs/Noah's Water in San Diego County, California, at the following coordinates:
- Latitude: 33.3952215
- Longitude: -116.6966652
I also found Adobe Springs on a map, although it is not near any other water that I can see. In fact, Adobe Springs is a tiny dot on the map under a marker generated by Google. It really is not marked with a name.
The springs are said to be at or near Beauty Mountain and just off Sweetwater Canyon Road. This road is east of Route 79, from where Chihuahua Valley Road runs eastward to intersect with Sweetwater Canyon Road. You turn right or south at that intersection onto Sweetwater Canyon Road and go about 3 miles. The springs are supposed to be right there.
The springs' geographic feature ID is 238431. The map makes it look tiny and isolated. I wonder if the springs are dried up? However, this is not the only Adobe Springs in California.
The Mystery Expands
To muddy the waters further, California has three (3) springs named Adobe Springs, one is near Modesto in Western Stanislaus County (see the next section, below). Another is located between San Diego County and Stanislaus County. All three locations are mountainous and have no mail delivery.
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Is Adobe Springs the Best?
Magnesium content is important to both heart health and the taste of water. Adobe Springs operations are treated to a full webpage at the Magnesium Online Library.
The interesting museum page takes readers directly to Noah's Water website. In fact, the Magnesium Online Library is entirely about the company and includes some research papers about the various waters found there.
We see on the library website that the springs are active, providing 75 million gallons of spring water every year. It contains 110 mg/L magnesium (four times the UN's WHO standard) and is, therefore, one of the most heart-healthy spring waters in the nation.
However, water from Adobe Springs is not on any best or healthiest list of waters that I can find thus far. This local beverage is used for more than one brand of bottled water, as seen below:
- Location: Seven-Up bottling plant in Modesto CA: Noah's Spring Water, sealed in cans and bottles.
- Location: Somewhere in or near Palo Alto CA, farther to the west of Modesto: "hiOsilver" Oxygen Water, bottled in glass. The water is oxygenated. In 2013, the name changed to "O2Cool Oxygen Water."
The Adobe Springs nearest Modesto, California is located 19 miles east of I-5, but west of Patterson CA. See the map below. There is no mail delivery or school system in this area, and the only travel mode found is the semi-truck or tanker truck.
None of the three Adobe Springs can be visited, and business must be done by companies seeking bulk water shipments at the Patterson springs.
A spring is the result of an aquifer being filled to the point that the water overflows onto the land surface.
— U.S. Government; water.usgs.gov
The Water Sommelier
During the late 2010s, restaurants began hiring certified drinking water experts called "water sommeliers." They are as important as their wine counterparts.
Top 10 Best Spring Waters in America
The following are the best quality drinking waters, according to Fox News on August 24, 2012. Fox has not yet announced a new list, but Reviews.com has named their favorites for 2017 in a list further below.
Fox News Best Brands
- Evian spring water
- Fiji artesian water
- Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water, spring water, Germany
- Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Water, spring water, Italy
- Perrier spring water, France
- San Pellegrino spring water, Italy
- Mountain Valley Spring Water - From the hill country between the Glazypeau and Cedar Mountains in Arkansas. Elvis Presley and John Lennon used it for its medicinal powers. I like the taste All United States Presidents from Calvin Coolidge to Bill Clinton served this water in the White House. The super racehorse Secretariat also drank this water.
- Ty Nant, spring water, Wales, UK
- Volvic, spring water, France
- Icelandic Glacial, spring water with a 0 carbon footprint. Distributed in the USA by Anheuser-Busch.
Directions to the Free Spigot
Take the Diablo Grande Parkway exit from I-5, go about 800 feet, and turn right on Del Puerto Canyon Rd. Then go about 18.6 miles (1.5 miles or so past Frank Raines Park) and it will be at 19,000 Del Puerto Canyon Rd, on the left.
Reviews.com's Best Fluoride-Free Brands
Best Flavor, Ingredient/Nutritional Content, and Packaging in 2017
- Resource by Nestle, The Healthy Hydration CompanyTM: Best in all categories.
- Fiji Water, the one in the square bottle.
- Crystal Geyser, often very cheap at discount stores, so this is the best budget water.
- Evian: best for mineral content and related taste.
- Volvic: The French runner-up to Evian.
(Source: Reviews.Com at reviews.com/bottled-water/ Retrieved May 1, 2017.)
Popular waters in Europe are different in flavor than are the most popular brands in America.
Berkeley Spring WV International Water Tasting
Sponsors of this event say that it is the largest "water tasting" event in the whole world. The favorites from two categories in the 2013 and 2017 competitions are listed below. Again, most are sparking waters.
Best Bottled Waters 2013
- Canadian Gold Artesian Water: Marchand, Manitoba, Canada
- Agana Rainwater: Buda, Texas
- Denton Spring Water: North East, Maryland
- Eldorado Natural Spring Water: Eldorado, Colorado
- Kiowata: Longford, Kansas
Best Sparkling Waters 2013
- (Tied) Touch Sparkling Mineral Water: Marchand, Manitoba and Celvik Dobri Kiseljak: Tesanj, Bosnia
- American Summits Natural Spring Water: Clark, Wyoming
- Puyehue: Osono, Chile
- (Tied) Antipodes Whakatane: New Zealand and Jackson Springs Natural Premium Spring Water: Manitoba, Canada
Best Bottled Waters 2017
- (Tied) Zaros Natural Water: Crete; and AlphaPure Springs Water: Ocala, Florida
- (Tied)Artesia: Crystal Falls, Michigan and Canadian Gold Artesian Water: Marchand MB, Canada (First Place in 2013)
- Svalbaroi Polar Iceberg Water: Longyearbyen, Norway
- Planet H2O Natural Artesian Water: Knoxville, TN
- Whistler Water, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Best Sparkling Waters 2017
- (Tied) Tesanjski Kiseljak: Tesanj, Bosnia and Touch Sparkling Mineral Water: Marchand MB, Canada (also Number One in 2013)
- Otaki Reserve: Otakiri, Bay of Plenty NZ
- Aqua Nobel Carbonated Water: Morap, Sweden
- Oro Luxury Water: Vizianius, Macedonia
- Antipodes Sparkling Water: Whakatane, NZ (Number Four in 2013)
Sources
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Patty Inglish MS
FAQs
Who has the cleanest spring water? ›
ICELAND. Iceland has stringent quality control, ensuring that they have a consistently high quality of water. 95% of all water in Iceland comes from springs in the ground, so it never comes in touch with any pollution. This is something the Icelandic people are quite proud about.
- Naleczowianka — Score: 89/100. ...
- Evian — Score: 90/100. ...
- Smeraldina — Score: 92/100. ...
- Smartwater — Score: 93/100. ...
- Fiji — Score: 98/100. ...
- Roundy's Purified Drinking Water — Score: 99/100. ...
- Do you notice differences in the taste of water from different brands and your tap?
Best Natural Water: Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water
If you want truly pure water, this one is as pure as you can get. Sourced directly from Iceland's legendary Ölfus Spring, one of the world's purest ecosystems, this water has a low mineral content and a naturally alkaline pH of 8.4.
Missouri: Missouri has some of the best drinking water not just in the U.S., but in the world. In fact, the city of Independence has been named among the top five best-tasting tap waters in the world seven times in eight years at the Berkeley Spring International Water Testing Competition.
What is the healthiest water to drink in USA? ›What Is The Healthiest Water To Drink? When sourced and stored safely, spring water is typically the healthiest option. When spring water is tested, and minimally processed, it offers the rich mineral profile that our bodies desperately crave.
Mineral and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs.
Which bottled water is 100% spring? ›OZARKA Brand 100% Natural Spring Water, established in 1905, has been a local favorite for generations. Sourced from carefully selected natural springs in Texas, OZARKA Spring Water contains naturally occurring minerals for a crisp, refreshing taste.
Hawaii ranks first in the nation for air and water quality, as well as in the overall natural environment category. Massachusetts places second in this subcategory, followed by North Dakota, Virginia and Florida. Learn more about the Best States for air and water quality below.
Where is the purest spring water in the world? ›While there are a few places that boast extremely clean water, such as Canada, Iceland, Antarctica, or even Upstate New York, the team of scientists determined that the cleanest water in the world was in the Patagonia region of Chile, Puerto Williams.
Evamor. Other brands that you can also feel safe drinking, even though they weren't included in Robles's study are Aqua Hydrate, Essentia, Icelandic, and Real Water. They also have a high pH level and a safe amount of fluoride. The issue of erosion has increased over the last 20 years, Robles continues.
Which bottled water is best for kidneys? ›
1. Mineral water. Without a doubt, the best drink you should be consuming in order to maintain good kidney health is mineral water.
Distilled water is the PUREST form of water.
Is it good to drink spring water everyday? ›Spring Water Benefits
Spring water provides much needed oxygen to the body and the brain, aids in digestion, helps us maintain a healthy weight, and tastes great. Spring water never tastes flat or boiled. It makes for an excellent drinking experience and one that does wonders for the body.
Around 55% of bottled water is derived from “spring water.” According to the EPA, spring water is water that naturally bubbles up to the earth's surface. It can also be water collected through a borehole.
Is Ozarka spring water really spring water? ›It's the 100% natural spring water that's served throughout Texas.
The 7 States That Are Running Out Of Water
The drought in California is something we've spoken about in previous articles, but it's important to understand that California is only one of a handful of states running out of water. These states include: Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Nevada as well.
Both spring water and tap water are extracted from natural or underground sources. In 60% of cases, spring water is extracted from the same layer in the ground as tap water. In that respect, tap water is not so different from spring water.
OVERALL RANK | City | Compliance Rank |
---|---|---|
1 | Cary, NC | 157 |
2 | Winston-Salem, NC | 3 |
3 | Yonkers, NY | 157 |
4 | Bellevue, WA | 6 |
Which is better? If you're wondering which type of water to choose, rest assured that both are excellent choices. Both spring water and purified water must meet strict safety standards set by the FDA and EPA, making them safe for you to drink.
Again, the healthiest water to drink is water that's free of pathogens and contaminants, yet rich in key minerals. But, if there was one water option to pick, it's likely going to be spring water or clean artesian water—water that still contains healthy mineral content and is free of pathogens.
What is the best drinking water on earth? ›
With 99.44% of water compliance standards, it's safe to say that Icelandic water is some of the best drinking water in the world. While 6% of Iceland is covered by freshwater lakes, rivers, and glaciers, most of the country's water comes from underground aquifers.
Aquafina was established in 1999 and has since become the largest bottled water brand in the world. Currently owned by PepsiCo, the company produces both flavored and unflavored water, as well as other branded products such as lip balm and even clothing.
What is the #1 best water? ›1. Fiji. Since 1996, Fiji has offered clean, rainforest water to 60 countries. Sourced from an ancient artesian aquifer surrounded by dormant volcanoes, its purity is simply due to the fact that it's naturally filtered by volcanic rock.
evian natural spring water is collected and bottled from our source (Cachat Spring) in the French Alps.
How many bottles of spring water should I drink a day? ›The National Academies of Sciences is another organization that weighs in on the amount of water you should drink each day, stating that about 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters of water for men per day are about right. That would be about 5-6 bottles of water for women and 7-8 bottles for men.
- Oregon.
- Kansas.
- Minnesota.
- Massachusetts.
- South Dakota.
- Missouri.
- Connecticut.
- Rhode Island.
Texas. Texas leads the nation with GDP growth and job creation, but it also tops the list with the worst public water ratings in the United States. The most polluted water systems are in the state's small rural communities, where resources are scarce, and populations are often around 100 people per provider.
The more than 150,000 residents of Jackson, Mississippi, no longer have access to clean municipal drinking water, and in some parts of the city, there isn't enough water pressure to flush toilets or supply fire hydrants.
Which state has the most natural spring water? ›Florida is home to more frst- and second-magnitude springs than any other state in the nation. Florida's communities rely on healthy springs for fresh drinking water, diverse ecosystems and exciting recreational opportunities that at tract visitors from all over the world.
100% NATURAL SPRING WATER
So much so, we source from springs that span across and around the Eastern Seaboard and beyond just to keep up with growing demand. Take a tour of our carefully selected springs, which allow Deer Park® Brand water to quench thirsts far and wide.
Is lemon water good for your kidneys? ›
Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn't seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.
While plain water is the best drink for your kidneys, other fluids are perfectly acceptable, including coffee, green tea, low-potassium juices, and infused water. Avoid sweetened, carbonated beverages and coconut water.
Can spring water cause kidney stones? ›Healthy people can drink mineral water without any problems, as long as they don't overindulge. Drinking it regularly in large quantities can have an adverse effect on the kidneys and can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Mineral and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs. Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals.
What is the healthiest best water? ›What Is The Healthiest Water To Drink? When sourced and stored safely, spring water is typically the healthiest option. When spring water is tested, and minimally processed, it offers the rich mineral profile that our bodies desperately crave.
Around 55% of bottled water is derived from “spring water.” According to the EPA, spring water is water that naturally bubbles up to the earth's surface. It can also be water collected through a borehole.
What is the best water for kidneys? ›Without a doubt, the best drink you should be consuming in order to maintain good kidney health is mineral water. It is, after all, completely natural and packed full of vitamins and minerals vital to all organs in your body. This should form the basis of most of what you drink every day.
“Consumers can be confident in the accuracy of the labels on every bottle of Poland Spring, and that Poland Spring Brand natural spring water is just what it says it is — 100 percent natural spring water.”
What water you should not drink? ›You should not drink distilled water since it lacks naturally-occurring minerals, including calcium and magnesium, that are beneficial for health.
The bottom line is that both purified water and spring water are considered safe to drink (and in-fact, well within the confines of “safe” drinking water) according to the EPA.
How long can you keep spring water? ›
Although properly stored public-supply water should have an indefinite shelf life, replace it every 6 to 12 months for best taste. If the water you are storing comes from a private well, spring, or other untested source, purify it before storage to kill pathogens (see below).
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and let it cool before using, OR use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.
Who has the safest drinking water? ›It is important to remember that countries are very big places, so there might be safe drinking water in one area of the country but not in another. Even though plenty of countries have drinking water that is entirely safe, Switzerland is widely considered to have the safest drinking water on earth.