The story of bottled water

Why water, the simplest drink, now comes with a label and a price tag.

Today, bottled water is everywhere — in school bags, fridges, gyms, and office desks. But have you ever wondered when humans started putting water in bottles? The story goes back much further than you might think.

The earliest known examples of bottled water come from 17th-century England, when people believed that mineral spring water had healing properties. Towns like Malvern and Bath became famous for their springs, and people began bottling the water to take its “magic” home. These early bottles were often made of glass and sealed with wax.

By the 19th century, bottled water had become a booming industry in Europe and America. In 1767, the first commercial water bottling plant opened in the United States, using water from Jackson’s Spa in Boston. This was long before people drank bottled water for convenience — back then, it was treated like medicine.

It wasn’t until the 1970s and 80s that bottled water became a global phenomenon. Thanks to plastic bottles (especially PET plastic), water could be packaged cheaply, shipped easily, and sold in shops. Fancy labels and sleek marketing campaigns convinced people that bottled water was cleaner, safer, and better-tasting than tap water.

Today, bottled water is a multi-billion dollar industry, but it's not without criticism. Environmentalists raise concerns about plastic waste and the energy used in bottling and transport. That’s why many people are now switching to refillable bottles and filtered tap water — a modern twist on an old idea.

Bottled water was once sold as medicine

In the 18th and 19th centuries, bottled mineral water was prescribed by doctors to treat illnesses like digestive problems and skin diseases.

First plastic water bottle appeared in 1973

Nathaniel Wyeth, a DuPont engineer, invented the first PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle, which could hold carbonated water without bursting.

Global bottled water industry is worth over $300 billion

That’s more than the global revenue from soft drinks like cola and soda!

Some bottled water comes from the same source as tap water

Many popular brands actually bottle municipal tap water, with some filtration or added minerals for taste.

Oldest known bottled water brand is over 400 years old

The French brand Saint-Galmier’s Badoit traces its roots back to the 16th century and is still sold today.