Mineral water is water from a mineral spring that contains various minerals, such as salts and sulfur compounds.
Traditionally, mineral waters were used or consumed at their spring sources. This was often referred to as “taking the waters” or “taking the cure.” Civilization eventually developed around these springs, and people used them for spas, baths, or wells. The term “spa” was a place where the water was used for soaking; “bath,” where the water was used primarily for bathing, therapeutics, or recreation; and “well,” where the water was to be consumed.
Today it is far more common for mineral water to be bottled at the source for distributed consumption. Traveling to the mineral water site for direct access to the water is rare, and in many cases not possible because of exclusive commercial ownership rights. There are more than 3,000 brands of mineral water commercially available worldwide.