The Short Answer
The cleanest mineral water brand on the market is Mountain Valley Spring Water, specifically in glass bottles.
It consistently tests below detectable limits for PFAS (forever chemicals), arsenic, and nitrates. Because it is bottled in glass, it also avoids the microplastic leaching and endocrine disruptors associated with plastic bottles. For a plastic-bottle alternative, Icelandic Glacial is the top performer, testing clean for contaminants while maintaining a naturally high alkaline pH.
You should currently avoid Perrier and Starkey (Whole Foods). Perrier has faced repeated well suspensions in France due to fecal bacteria and pesticide contamination as recently as 2024. Starkey has a history of testing for arsenic levels around 9-10 ppb—technically legal (the limit is 10 ppb), but dangerously close to the threshold.
Why This Matters
Marketing terms like "glacier," "pristine," and "artesian" are unregulated marketing fluff. The real difference in water quality comes down to three invisible factors:
1. PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")
A 2020 Consumer Reports study and subsequent 2025 follow-ups found that sparkling mineral waters are more likely to contain PFAS than still waters. Brands like Topo Chico contained high levels (9.76 ppt) in 2020. While they have since reduced these levels (to ~3.9 ppt), they are not PFAS-free. What Is Pfas In Water
2. Heavy Metals (Arsenic)
Arsenic is naturally occurring in some rock formations, but that doesn't make it safe. The federal limit is 10 ppb (parts per billion). Consumer Reports found Whole Foods' Starkey Spring Water regularly tested at 9.53 ppb—nearly failing the legal standard.
3. Packaging Leaching
Water is a universal solvent. If it sits in plastic (PET) or aluminum cans (which have plastic liners) for months in a hot warehouse, it absorbs chemicals. Glass is the only truly inert packaging material. Is Plastic Water Bottle Leaching A Real Concern
What's Actually In Mineral Water
Mineral water must legally come from a geologically and physically protected underground water source and contain at least 250 ppm (parts per million) of total dissolved solids (TDS). Here is the trade-off you are managing:
- Magnesium & Calcium (The Good): High TDS waters like Gerolsteiner are excellent sources of bioavailable minerals. What Minerals Should Be In Drinking Water
- PFAS & TFA (The Bad): A 2024 European study found TFA (a type of PFAS) in several major European mineral water brands, proving that even deep aquifers are no longer immune to surface pollution.
- Microplastics: A study by Orb Media found that 93% of bottled water showed some sign of microplastic contamination, averaging 325 particles per liter.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Glass Packaging: The single best indicator of quality. It preserves taste and prevents chemical leaching.
- "Spring" or "Mineral" Source: Indicates a natural aquifer source, unlike "Purified" water which is just processed tap water. Is Spring Water Better Than Purified Water
- Recent Lab Reports: Brands that publish 2024/2025 water quality reports (like Mountain Valley) are transparent for a reason.
Red Flags:
- "Purified Water" Label: This is tap water (like Aquafina or Dasani).
- Opaque Sourcing: If the bottle says "bottled at the source" but doesn't name the spring, be suspicious.
- High Arsenic History: Brands like Peñafiel and Starkey have a track record of nearing safety limits.
The Best (and Worst) Options
We ranked these based on independent lab testing for PFAS, arsenic, and nitrates, plus packaging safety.
| Brand | Verdict | Packaging | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Valley | ✅ | Glass | Cleanest tests. No PFAS. High naturally occurring pH (7.3-7.7). |
| Icelandic Glacial | ✅ | Plastic | Safest plastic option. Carbon neutral. Non-detectable PFAS. |
| Saratoga | ✅ | Glass | Excellent domestic option. Very low TDS (clean taste). |
| Fiji | ✅ | Plastic | High silica content. Generally tests clean, but plastic is a drawback. |
| Gerolsteiner | ⚠️ | Glass/Plastic | Best mineral profile (Magnesium!), but recent EU tests found trace TFA. |
| Topo Chico | ⚠️ | Glass | Delicious bubbles, but historically high PFAS. Levels are dropping but not zero. |
| San Pellegrino | ⚠️ | Glass/Plastic | Low PFAS (0.31 ppt), but owned by Nestlé and often has lower standards than top tier. |
| Starkey | 🚫 | Plastic | Avoid. Consistently high arsenic levels (9+ ppb). |
| Perrier | 🚫 | Glass/Plastic | Avoid. Recent well contamination (fecal bacteria/pesticides) in France. |
The Bottom Line
1. Buy Mountain Valley in glass. It is the gold standard for safety and mineral content.
2. Avoid Whole Foods' Starkey. The arsenic levels are consistently too close to the federal limit for comfort.
3. Check the "Spring" label. If it says "Purified," you are paying a 2000% markup for tap water you could filter at home. Is City Tap Water Actually Safe To Drink
FAQ
Is Gerolsteiner safe to drink?
Yes, but with a caveat. Gerolsteiner is arguably the healthiest water for mineral intake, providing massive amounts of calcium and magnesium. However, recent 2024 testing in Europe found traces of TFA (a PFAS variant) in the water. It is still far safer than most sodas, but not as "pure" as Mountain Valley.
Does Topo Chico still have PFAS?
Yes, but less than before. In 2020, Topo Chico had some of the highest PFAS levels (9.76 ppt). By 2025, reports suggest levels have dropped to ~3.9 ppt. This is better, but still higher than brands like Spindrift or Mountain Valley (which test at 0).
Is San Pellegrino clean?
It is acceptable. San Pellegrino generally tests better than Perrier (its sister brand). Recent tests show very low PFAS levels (0.31 ppt). However, it has lower dissolved minerals than Gerolsteiner and is owned by Nestlé, which has faced significant scrutiny for water management practices.