No, Aquafina is not salt water.
Aquafina is a brand of purified bottled water. While its source may initially be public water supplies, it undergoes a comprehensive purification process designed to remove various impurities, including salts.
How Aquafina Water is Purified
According to information regarding its production, Aquafina water is treated through a rigorous purification process. This process is crucial for achieving the desired taste and quality of the finished product.
Key steps in the purification often include:
- Reverse Osmosis: This is a primary method used. Reverse osmosis forces water through a semipermeable membrane, leaving behind dissolved solids, including salts, minerals, and other impurities.
- Other Filtering and Purification Methods: Additional steps may involve carbon filtration and ozonation to further purify the water and ensure its safety and clarity.
The reference explicitly states that the purification process "removes things like chlorides, salts and other substances that can affect a water's taste." This is why Aquafina is considered purified water, not salt water.
Understanding Salt Water vs. Purified Water
It's helpful to distinguish between different types of water:
- Salt Water: Contains a significant concentration of dissolved salts, typically found in oceans and seas. It is not suitable for drinking without desalination.
- Tap Water: Water from public supplies, which contains varying levels of dissolved minerals and salts depending on the source and local treatment.
- Purified Water: Water that has been treated to remove chemicals, contaminants, and dissolved solids, including salts and minerals. Reverse osmosis is a common method for purification.
| Water Type | Salt Content | Purification | Typical Source | Drinkable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Water | High | Requires desalination | Oceans, Seas | No |
| Tap Water | Variable (Low) | Standard municipal treatment | Rivers, Lakes, Groundwater | Yes |
| Purified Water | Very Low (Removed) | Reverse Osmosis, Filtration, Ozonation, etc. | Various Sources | Yes |
Aquafina falls into the "Purified Water" category because the salts and other dissolved solids are intentionally removed during its production.
