The Complete Guide to Premium Water Manufacturing: What Makes Water Truly “Premium”?

What Is Premium Water? A Complete Breakdown for Brands

Premium water is one of the fastest-growing segments in the beverage industry. Consumers increasingly demand pure, mineral-balanced, great-tasting water that aligns with clean-label and sustainability expectations. But what truly makes a water premium — and how can brands create one?

This guide explains the entire premium water manufacturing process, from sourcing and purification to mineral formulation and can-only packaging. If your brand is exploring premium bottled water alternatives, this article will help you understand what separates a high-end product from a generic one.

Forest Gold Water's facilities

Premium Water Starts With High-Quality Sourcing

The source of your water determines its purity, mineral complexity, and overall brand identity. Forest Gold Water sources and formulates premium waters from one of the following sources:

Purified Water 

Water that undergoes intensive filtration to remove impurities, then is customized with minerals for flavor and function.

Spring or Mineral Water

• Naturally superior taste

• A premium mineral signature

• Reliable purity without excessive processing

• A strong marketing story for brands

• A better base for premium and lightly functional beverages

Deep Aquifer Water

Protected underground sources offering exceptional stability and purity.

At Forest Gold Water, all premium water formulations originate in Orange Springs, Florida, a protected artesian aquifer known for mineral stability, natural purity, and clean taste. This dedicated source provides a consistent foundation for functional, alkaline, and mineral waters developed inside our facility.

Advanced Purification: The Core of Premium Water Manufacturing

To achieve a premium grade, water must meet strict purity standards using multi-step purification technologies such as:

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Removes up to 99% of dissolved solids, ensuring the cleanest base possible.

UV Sterilization

Kills microorganisms without altering taste or adding chemicals.

Activated Carbon & Micron Filtration

Removes chlorine, odors, and organic compounds that lower water quality.

Ozone Treatment

Provides long-term microbiological stability.

These processes guarantee that every batch is consistent — the foundation of a premium bottled water alternative.

Mineral Composition: How Premium Waters Get Their Flavor

The mineral profile is what creates the signature taste and mouthfeel of premium water. Brands often customize the balance of:

• Calcium – adds smoothness

• Magnesium – enhances sweetness

• Potassium – supports hydration

• Sodium (controlled) – stabilizes flavor

At Forest Gold Water, our manufacturing standards include:

• Controlled remineralization

• Electrolyte enhancement

• pH balancing for alkaline waters

This is where Forest Gold Water helps brands build a signature formula.

Creating Alkaline Water: What Brands Need to Know

Alkaline water typically ranges from pH 8.0 to 9.5 and is achieved by adding carefully controlled mineral blends.

Our clients leverage alkaline water formulations for:

• Wellness-focused consumers

• Functional hydration positioning

• Premium price placement on shelves

Why Packaging Matters: Aluminum Cans Protect Water Quality

Aluminum cans provide:

• Zero light exposure

• Complete oxygen protection

• No microplastic migration

• Superior taste preservation

• Quick cooling and premium mouthfeel

This is why Forest Gold Water manufactures exclusively in aluminum cans, offering better taste, longer shelf stability, and improved environmental performance.

Functional Waters: The Future of Premium Hydration

Brands are increasingly combining premium water with functional ingredients such as:

• Electrolytes

• Adaptogens

• Hemp-derived compliant extracts

• Vitamins

• Nootropics

Premium water manufacturing must ensure:

• Ingredient stability

• Clear labeling compliance

• Consistent flavor development

Forest Gold Water specializes in compliant functional beverages specifically tailored for the state of Florida, ensuring that every formulation meets hemp-derived, labeling, and distribution regulations. Our Florida-first ecosystem supports retailers, wellness brands, and functional beverage companies entering one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S.

How to Choose the Right Premium Water Manufacturer

Forest Gold Water is more than a canning facility — it is a full R&D, formulation, compliance, and production ecosystem. Brands partner with us because we provide:

✔ Full water R&D and formulation lab

✔ Custom functional beverage development (alkaline, mineral, hemp-derived, adaptogens, electrolytes)

✔ Cannabinoid compliance guidance for Florida and federal standards

✔ Scalable aluminum-can production

✔ Flavor and stability testing

✔ Shelf-life validation and COA processes

✔ White-label and private-label development

This end-to-end system allows emerging and established brands to build unique products, not generic beverages.

Premium water isn’t defined by buzzwords — it’s built through rigorous sourcing, purification, formulation, and packaging. Brands that truly want premium-quality products must work with a manufacturer capable of delivering consistent excellence.

Forest Gold Water develops and manufactures premium waters and functional beverages across categories such as wellness hydration, mineral and alkaline waters, hemp-compliant formulations, and cognitive blends — supporting modern brands looking to scale in the U.S. market.