Where does Mountain Valley Spring Water come from?

Every drop of Mountain Valley comes from a single, natural spring source that originates deep within the earth’s surface.  The spring is located within 633 acres of protected, company-owned land approximately 12 miles from Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.  Mountain Valley is bottled at the spring site.

What’s in Mountain Valley Spring Water that makes it different?

Mountain Valley has a very pleasing natural mineral content, consisting mainly of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.  However, Mountain Valley is sodium free according to FDA standards (less than 5 milligrams of sodium per liter).

Why does Mountain Valley Spring Water come in glass bottles? 

Mountain Valley is proud to be the only nationally distributed spring water that continues to use a 5 gallon glass bottle.  In addition to the 5 gallon bottle, Mountain Valley comes in a 2.5 gallon bottle for use with a water cooler.  In cases, Mountain Valley comes in 1liter bottles (33.8oz), ½ liter (16.9 oz) and 11 oz.  Glass is chosen as it is the purest packaging available. Glass is impermeable, non-porous, sanitary and odorless.  It does not leach any chemicals into the product.

How did Mountain Valley get its name?

The first known owner of the property containing the Mountain Valley spring was Benjamin Lockett.  Mr. Lockett and his son Enoch sold some of the water locally around Hot Springs until it became known as “Lockett’s Spring Water.”  Dr. Peter Greene, an Arkansas pharmacist, began to market the water and then changed its name to “Mountain Valley” (after the name of the nearby small community) in 1871.  Dr. Green purchased the land in 1872, began to improve the spring site, and gave Mountain Valley its start.

Is Mountain Valley a “mineral water”?

In its early days, Mountain Valley was indeed sold as a mineral water.  More recently, federal regulators set a uniform standard for the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) required for a “mineral water” designation in the U.S.; at approximately 240 parts per million, Mountain Valley’s TDS falls below 250 parts per million threshold.

How is Mountain Valley Sparkling Water made?

Mountain Valley Sparkling is simply our award-winning spring water with CO2 added.  A light carbonation level is selected so that Mountain Valley Sparkling would be a perfect meal accompaniment or a refreshing treat that doesn’t make you feel full.

What are the differences between spring water and other types of water on the market?

Some of the most heavily advertised waters on the market are “purified waters,” meaning they come from municipal (tap water) sources and are put through substantial processing treatments.  (Don’t be fooled by pictures of mountains or bodies of water on the labels of purified waters!)  Spring waters come from some underground formation through which water naturally moves to the earth’s surface.  Spring water must, by law, be collected at the source or via a bore hole that taps the underground formation.  Every spring is a little different, depending upon water depth, formations, spring, etc.  Mountain Valley Spring Company maintains the traditional definition of spring water.  Spring water is water that comes to the surface under its own pressure.

Is Mountain Valley Spring Water alkaline or acidic?

Alkaline water has a pH of more the 7.0, while water with a pH of less than 7.0 is considered acidic.  Mountain Valley Spring Water, with a pH in the range of 8.3, is moderately alkaline.  Acidic elements in water – such as chlorine, sulphates, and nitrates lower its pH and its health benefits.  Our blood’s pH is a narrow range of 7.30 – 7.45; the higher your blood’s pH, the more oxygen it contains.  Drinking alkaline water like Mountain Valley Spring Water helps you keep enough healthy oxygen available to your blood cells.

 Who regulates bottled water?

The bottled water industry is heavily regulated by both federal and state agencies.  Bottled water companies also conform to standards set by industry associations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate bottled water as a food product.  State governments work with the FDA to assure quality standards are followed.  Mountain Valley Spring Company opens their plant to inspections by a third-party company.  Mountain Valley also proudly participates in quality programs run by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), and regularly earns the IBWA’s “Excellence in Manufacturing” designation.

Does Mountain Valley Spring Water have a shelf life?

The FDA has not established a shelf life for bottled water.  Mountain Valley Spring Company complies with state regulations that have specified a two-year expiration from the date of production.  The code dates are printed on each bottle.

What do the “OU” and “NSF” marks on the label mean?

The Orthodox Union (OU) conducts the world’s best-known kosher certification.  OU certification means that Mountain Valley Spring Water may be consumed by all those who observe kosher dietary laws, as well as many others who have special dietary requirements (such as Moslems and Seventh Day Adventists).
In addition to compliance with federal and state regulators, Mountain Valley Spring Company chooses to participate in the National Sanitation Foundation’s voluntary quality program.  The NSF conducts annual unannounced plant inspections that cover every aspect of a bottler’s operation from the source of the water, through the disinfection and treatment processes, and the bottle closure process.  The NSF also performs extensive testing for over 160 chemical, inorganic, radiological, and microbiological contaminants.

Is Mountain Valley Spring Water filtered or processed in any way?

Yes.  In accordance with federal and state regulations and good industry practice, Mountain Valley Spring Water is both filtered and protected with ultraviolet light and ozone.  Ozone is used to kill bacteria that may commonly be found in water supplies.  Because ozone rapidly breaks down to oxygen after being injected into the water, the wonderful taste of Mountain Valley Spring Water is not affected.

How does Mountain Valley test for bacteria and other potential contaminants?

Mountain Valley Spring Company’s on-site quality control laboratory conducts dozens of tests on samples from both the spring source and product water each day.  In addition, additional samples are submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health and third-party laboratories on a weekly basis.

Why do you use the term “America’s Premium Water”?  Is it true?

This tagline has been used by Mountain Valley Spring Company for years.  It tells consumers, simply and correctly, that there is no finer American water available to them.  Not only is Mountain Valley America’s oldest and most prestigious bottled-water brand, it is also a recent two-time Gold Medal winner of the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition as the “best-tasting non-carbonated water in the world” (1997 and 2003).  Mountain Valley Sparkling Water has won a Silver Medal in the same worldwide competition.

Occasionally small particles or white film may be seen in Mountain Valley Spring Water.  What is it?

Very likely they are part of the mineral content which has come out of solution through pressure or temperature changes inside the bottle. Crystallization of minerals occurs most often when Mountain Valley Spring Water is boiled or frozen for beverages or cooking.