As far as quality of water is concerned there is negligible difference between Nestle, Aquafina, Kinley or even some major local brands. It doesn't matter which one you pick, they are more or less the same. Everyone uses the same filtration technology. There is only a slight difference in taste due to different mineral compositions. Most major brands have quality standards in place.
The difference lies in the implementation of standards. Some companies are more strict than others in implementing the standards. Companies like Nestle do not move an inch without instructions from global headquarters. Things are typically done by the book. But that does not mean that Aquafina or Kinley are lacking, they have their own systems.
Now coming to the key question... why these water brands cannot call themselves mineral water. First of all most people are unaware that there is a difference between purified water (Nestle, Kinley, Aquafina, Culligan etc) and mineral water. As per FDA "Bottled water containing not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids may be labeled as mineral water. Mineral water is distinguished from other types of bottled water by its constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source. No minerals can be added to this product."
Purified water is water that is extracted from a source, could be ground water, or even tap water. It is purified and cleared of all impurities and minerals and after filtration, minerals are artificially re-added to maintain a certain composition. Why these brands cannot offer mineral water? Because for that they would need to source their water from some pristine location in the mountains and transport it all the way to the factory for bottling and distribution. It would more than double their cost of production!
I was in Naran a few weeks back and I was sitting in a hotel waiting for dinner and there was another family sitting next to me and the waiter asked them whether they wanted "Nestle water" or "Chashmay ka paani". They said we need "mineral water". The irony being that the mineral water they actually want is the natural, pure and FREE chashmay ka paani, but marketing and advertising has fooled people into believing that bottled water is the real mineral water.
