Water is a fundamental part of everyday life, helping the body function normally and supporting hydration. In Australia it’s the most widely consumed drink, available as tap, bottled, spring, sparkling and flavoured varieties.
Tap any ingredient to learn what it does in the bottle.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend drinking “plenty of water” each day, with total fluid needs varying by age, gender and life stage. Pick a profile to see the recommended daily fluid intake.
Approx. 2.3–2.6 L per day. Totals include fluid from all drinks, not just plain water. Needs increase in hot weather or with exercise.
The packaged water industry uses groundwater as its main source of high-quality, refreshing water. Groundwater is a natural resource that is continuously replenished through the hydrological cycle, the constant movement of water between the sky, land and underground reservoirs.
Rain and snow soak into the soil, percolate through porous earth and collect as groundwater, which is then drawn up through boreholes for bottling.
Many packaged water producers in Australia are certified under the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) Model Code, which sets a standard of excellence for bottled and packaged water that sets requirements for safety, quality, environmental responsibility and water stewardship. Certified operators are annually, independently audited to ensure compliance.
How is packaged water regulated in Australia?
Packaged water sold in Australia must comply with strict safety and quality requirements under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), to ensure it is safe to drink and accurately labelled. These requirements cover composition, treatment processes and labelling standards.
Companies often align with the Australian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) Code of Practice for additional quality control, which is widely recognised.
Water is the most consumed drink in Australia.
Sparkling water has been consumed for centuries, originally valued for its naturally occuring mineral content.
Sparkling water has been consumed for centuries, originally valued for its naturally occuring mineral content.
Sparkling water has been consumed for centuries, originally valued for its naturally occuring mineral content.
Spring and mineral waters naturally contain dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium and sodium picked up as the water travels through rock. The mix is unique to each source, and some manufacturers list a typical analysis on their bottle or can.
Sparkling waters get their fizz from carbon dioxide, either naturally occurring in some mineral springs, or added during bottling.