Skip navigation and jump to content.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Doesn't all water taste the same?

Lively, sweet and balanced, EARTH2O's flavor knocks the socks off those flat, processed waters.  We owe it to our imcomparable aquifer which our water is sourced by the legendary Opal Springs.  Centuries ago Native Americans discovered the virant blue eddie that marks Opal Springs entry into the Crooked River Canyon.  EARTH2O last saw the earth's surface more than 60 years ago, having filtered over that time through thousands of layers of volcanic basalt.  The result is a water that tempts, pleases and satisfies.

So why is this source so special?

Because it contains no trace of atomic era contaminents, we  know Opal Springs water last saw the earth's surface more than 60 years ago, some estimates go into thousands of years.  No one can be sure of true age, since the water is so pure it contains no carbon and accordingly can't be carbon dated.  The spring gushes forth at 108,000 gallons per minute from an aquifer 1,600 feet below the valley bench, at a constant temparture of 53.8 degrees F - unchanged since first measured in 1922!

What is so special about how long ago the water was surface water?

Because of the fact that the water has taken many decades to filter through over 1,000 feet of volcanic basalt it doesn't have the manmade pollutants that are in many of your shallow source spring waters (source less than 100 feet). For example, EARTH2O has no trace radiation in it. Since nuclear testing began over 55 years ago we know that the water was last surface water prior to when this testing began.

What is in the water?

Mosly oxygen and hydrogen. As with all waters it is best to look at annual laboratory reports. In ours you will be able to see the test results versus the maximum allowable compounds, and virtually no sodium. Tests of EARTH2O show  that nothing is detected. Heck, we even have the lowest level of Bromate from all the waters we tested

Bromate test result from MWH Laboratories
EARTH2O    0.005

What is Bromate?

The FDA lists Bromate as aleading carcinogen. It is created when Bromide (non-toxic and usually heavier in shallow spring waters) is mixed with Ozone during the bottling process. At the beginning of 2002 the FDA's new allowable maximum level of Bromate in bottled water is 10.0 ug/l.

What type of treatment is done to the source water before it goes into the bottle?

Due to the amazing natural purity of the source water we do very little to our water. We do run it through a series of micron filters to filter out any solids that may have come with the water (sediment). The water is then exposed  to ultraviolet light and ozone for additional sanitization protection. From there it is piped into our filler and immediately capped. This all occurs very rapidly, on a package like our 20-ounce sport-cap the bottles are running at about 365 bottles per minute.

So how does the water get from Opal Springs to your plant?

As opposed to many water companies that haul their water from their source to their plant by tanker truck, ours is piped via the Deschutes Valley Water District (DVWD) who controls the source water. That is why on all of our labels we state "from a community water system".

What is the DVWD?

DVWD manages and distributes water from Opal Springs to sources in North Central Oregon. While they not only manage some of the purest water available in the world they also manage a beautiful fish hatchery that supports our local fish in the Crooked River and Lake Billy Chinook.

Is water managed by the DVWD be a better and safer source?

Yea, not only does EARTH2O have to comply with government regulations on bottled water, but also DVWD has to comply with even stricter regulations, giving you extra protection. While the government is pretty lax on the regulations for backyard bottled water companies they are very strict on community water suppliers. Just look at our lab report and you will see we are among the purest waters available on the market.

So how do I cut through all of the bull and find out what water is best?

  • Look at the lab reports - they cannot lie. Additionally, if they are not showing it - find out the Bromate level.
  • Find out how deep the product source is.
  • Taste the product.
  • Visit our plant in Culver. We always enjoy visitors!