Precision is my aim, Jack. I understood that all water that came from
springs (frequently called mineral springs in Australia) contained
minerals, the levels and kinds depending on the geological strata and other
environment (soil, vegetation) they filter through; that some waters are
low solute and some are high solute; that in many places mineral water and
spring water are simply words for water sold in bottles and that only
distilled water is mineral free (but may pick up contaminants in the
process of distillation and bottling. I also understood that tap water
contains very different levels of very different minerals and contaminants,
from variable levels of calcium and sodium and so on (soft and hard water
sufficient to rapidly ruin hot water systems and glug up irons and
kettles); up to umpteen times the fluoride in breastmilk; sufficient
chlorine to cause gastric distress; aluminium from cleansing processes at
reservoirs, precursor-carcinogens such as nitrates, and even toxic levels
of lead if run through old lead pipes. Am I wrong? This does matter and is
not peripheral. LCs advise women about making up formula, and giving water
to children. Formula plants have de-commissioned "pure" wells affected by
groundwater seepage of contaminants.The quality of water is probably a
vital ingredient in the health of babies and mothers alike, yet is so
variable and is under-tested that we haven't a clue what babies are
drinking when formula is reconstituted with most waters readily available.

The moral? read labels and learn to recognise and use low solute, but not
use distilled for babies bottles. If your country defines spring and
mineral water differntly, know what it means but don't expect it to mean
the same thing everywhere. Get a charcoal filter jug and use it properly to
clean up tap water without breeding bugs through improper use. (Improves
the flavour no end.) If you can afford it, get certified good water. Your
kids will drink water without sweeteners often needed to disguise the taste
of chlorine. Find out about your town's tap water typical analysius and
levels of contamination. You might be in for a surprise. Water is routinely
monitored by city hall in developed countries (where it can be afforded)
precisely because water probably remains the single most important vector
of disease in the world. Clean water is what most of the world lacks and we
take for granted quite foolishly, in my view. End of sermon.
BTW, I didn't mention and do not buy Perrier. There are a zillion mineral
waters on the market world-wide.  MM