MINERAL WATER
CLASSIFICATION

“Mineral water is different from drinking water because it is pure, contains minerals and can be easily conserved. Mineral water should be protected from any risk of pollution”
D.L. 25/01/1992 n.105, art 1

Mineral waters are classified according to:

fixed residue (amount of residual mineral salts per mg/lt at 180° C)
- light mineral water (fixed residue < 50 mg/lt)
- low mineral content water (fixed residue between 50 and 500 mg/lt)
- medium mineral content water (fixed residue between 500 and 1500 mg/lt)
- rich mineral content water (fixed residue > 1500 mg/lt)

quantities of CO2 (in the spring)
- natural effervescent water
- flat water

pH
- acid water (ph < 7)
- alkaline water (ph >7)
Usually sparkling waters are acid because of bicarbonate.

Mineral salts (according to the prevailing mineral salt)
- water with bicarbonate (> 600 mg/lt)
- water with sulphate (> 200 mg/lt)
- water with chloride (> 200 mg/lt)
- water with calcium (> 150 mg/lt)
- water with iron (> 1mg/lt)
- acid water (CO2 >250 mg/lt)
- water with sodium (> 200 mg/lt)
- low sodium water (< 20 mg/lt)
- water with magnesium (> 50 mg/lt)
- water with fluoride (> 1 mg/lt)

* More than 1,5 mg/lt of fluoride is unsuitable for children below the age of 7.