“Neptūnas” and “Žalia giria Premium”

„Neptūnas” and „Žalia giria Premium” are natural drinking waters produced in Lithuania. „Neptūnas” is a light, naturally pure water, often consumed for everyday thirst-quenching. „Žalia giria Premium” is a high-quality still water with a smooth taste and natural mineral composition, intended for those who appreciate exceptional water quality.

Natural mineral water „Neptūnas“

Data from a 0.5-liter bottle of still natural mineral water „Neptūnas“ (purchased on 2013-03-23 at the Hyperrimi shopping center on Žirmūnų street):

Valid until 2014-03-01 (B048 11:21). If the shelf life is one year, then this water was bottled on 2013-03-01 at 11:21.

Analytical composition (mg/L):

Calcium (Ca2+) ……….41

Magnesium (Mg2+)………..7

Sodium (Na+) ………. 2.4

Potassium (K+) …………..0.9

Bicarbonates (HCO3–) ….154

Chlorides (Cl–) ………< 5

Sulfates (SO42–) ……..6.2

SiO2 ………….. 29

Dry residue (180 0C) ….136

pH ……………7.6 (pH units)

Brief comment: a very low-mineralization calcium-magnesium bicarbonate water. The water's dominant ions are positive calcium and magnesium and negative bicarbonate, but even these are present in very low concentrations. Based on the calcium and magnesium ion concentrations, the overall hardness of this water is calculated at 2.6 meq/L. This is a fairly soft water. The low mineralization of this water is due to the scarcity of calcium and magnesium minerals underground (limestone, dolomite, gypsum) and the water's contact with poorly soluble sand (SiO2).

The rather high silicate concentration is somewhat surprising. Could it be that a comma was forgotten, and 2.9 mg/L SiO2 became 29 mg/L SiO2? This will need to be checked. If the SiO2 concentration really is 29 mg/L, then the value of this water may change.

P.S. On 2013-05-08, the SiO2 concentration was determined in “Neptūnas” water, as well as in the water of the Vilnius Antaviliai water source. The concentrations found were as follows:

“Neptūnas” – 25.2 mg/L

Antaviliai – 15.6 mg/L.

On this occasion, I would like to apologize to “Neptūnas” for the doubts expressed earlier, and also sincerely thank Valdas Šimčikas, head of UAB “Vandens tyrimai”, for carrying out the chemical analysis.

Still spring water „Žalia giria Premium“

Data from a 5 L bottle:

Part of the iron has been removed. This water is produced using an approved technology involving oxidation with ozone-enriched air. From borehole No. 31099 at a depth of 200 m, Liepkalnio 148, Vilnius. Best before 2013-08-18.

Chemical composition (mg/L):

Calcium (Ca2+) ……….59.61

Magnesium (Mg2+)………..15.55

Sodium (Na+) ………. 4.57

Potassium (K+) …………..4.18

Iron ………. 0.014

Bicarbonates (HCO3–) ….242

Chlorides (Cl–) ………2.41

Sulfates (SO42–) ……..14.35

Fluorides (F–) …….. 0.38

Dry residue (180 0C) ….237

Brief comment: a medium-mineralization calcium-magnesium bicarbonate water. The presentation of results to tenths and hundredths of a milligram was surprising. Based on the calcium and magnesium ion concentrations, the overall hardness of this water is calculated at 4.3 meq/L. This is a medium-hardness water.

The results of the chemical analysis of these waters, carried out by the author, are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Chemical analysis results for „Neptūnas“ and „Žalia giria Premium“

Water quality indicator, its units	Water quality indicator value	Excerpt from the Lithuanian mineral water hygiene standard HN 28:2003	Excerpt from the Lithuanian drinking water hygiene standard HN 24:2003
„Neptūnas“	„Žalia giria Premium“
pH, pH units	7.91	7.58	Not regulated	6.5–9.5
Specific electrical conductivity, μS/cm	230	461	Not regulated	≤ 2500
Total hardness, meq/L	2.5	4.5	Not regulated	Not regulated
Total mineralization, mg/L	204	394	Not regulated	Not regulated
Iron, mg/L	0.004	0.015	Not regulated	≤ 0.2
Ammonium, mg/L	0.038	0.034	≤ 0.5	≤ 0.5
Nitrites, mg/L	0.021	0.061	≤ 0.1	≤ 0.5
Bicarbonates, mg/L	146	262	Not regulated	Not regulated
Permanganate index, mg O2/L	0.5	0.6	Not regulated	≤ 5.0

Comment on the chemical analysis results

a) „Neptūnas“: a water with a very low mineral content and very soft. Not one of the measured water quality indicators exceeds the requirements of either hygiene standard. So it can be said that the claim heard in TV commercials, „Neptūnas – the purest part of you“, is accurate. If low water mineralization is an advantage, then one should buy (or produce) and drink distilled or reverse-osmosis demineralized water instead. So whether it is good or bad that this water contains very few of the minerals the body needs, I leave for readers to decide. On the other hand, low water mineralization also has its advantages. For example, tea made with this water will be clearer, since fewer limescale particles will settle out. In other words, what I want to say is that in any situation you can find both pluses and minuses, but in any case, the most important thing is to stay optimistic.

b) „Žalia giria Premium“: this water also satisfies the requirements of both hygiene standards, but it contains almost twice as many minerals as „Neptūnas“. The total mineralization of this water is only slightly lower than that of the excellent-quality drinking water treated at the Antaviliai water treatment plant and supplied to many Vilnius neighborhoods.

All three of these waters are of drinking water quality. Only their price differs. It's good that we have a choice.