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Compare bottled water brands by price, type, pH, and certifications. Whether you are buying for your home, office, or business, this guide covers everything you need to know before choosing a bottled water in South Africa.
Walk into any South African shop and you will find several types of bottled water on the shelf. Each type goes through a different process and offers different benefits. Here is what sets them apart.
Purified water starts as municipal or borehole water and goes through reverse osmosis, UV sterilisation, and carbon filtration to remove contaminants. It is the most common and most affordable type of bottled water in South Africa. Brands include Bonaqua and PureSafe by Designer Water.
Spring water flows naturally from underground sources. Its mineral content depends on the geology of the spring, so it varies between brands and even between batches. South African spring water brands include Valpre and Mountain Falls.
Alkaline water is purified water that goes through a controlled mineralisation process, adding Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium to raise the pH above 7. Designer Water pH10 reaches pH 10+ through a 14-stage purification and mineralisation process, making it one of the highest-pH bottled waters available in South Africa.
Mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million of dissolved solids from a geologically protected source. It is less common on South African retail shelves than purified or spring water.
Sparkling water is carbonated, either naturally from the source or by adding CO2 during bottling. It hydrates just as well as still water and serves as a healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks. Note that carbonation lowers the pH to between 3 and 5.
For a deeper comparison of water types, read our Types of Water Explained guide.
Not all bottled water is created equal. Before you buy, check for these indicators of quality and safety:
The South African National Bottled Water Association sets quality standards for the bottled water industry. SANBWA-accredited brands are independently audited to ensure their water meets strict safety and quality benchmarks. Not all brands carry this accreditation.
ISO 22000 is the international food safety management standard. It means the bottling facility has been audited against global food safety protocols. This certification is particularly important for businesses purchasing water for offices, events, or hospitality.
If pH is not printed on the label, the brand is not confident about it. Designer Water prints pH 10+ on every bottle. Standard purified water sits around pH 6 to 7, spring water between 6.5 and 8, and alkaline water above 8.
Look for Kosher, Halal, GC Mark of Conformity, and GFSI benchmarking. These indicate that the product has been independently verified across multiple quality frameworks. Designer Water holds all six of these certifications.
Bottled water prices in South Africa vary significantly depending on the type, brand, and size. Here is how the major brands compare at the 500ml size:
| Brand | Type | 500ml Price | Per Litre | SANBWA | ISO 22000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer Water pH10 | Alkaline (pH 10+) | R12.08 (case) | R24.17 | Yes | Yes |
| PureSafe (Designer Water) | Purified | R9.00 | R18.00 | Yes | Yes |
| Bonaqua | Purified | ~R12 | ~R24 | Yes | Varies |
| Valpre | Spring | ~R14 | ~R28 | Yes | Yes |
| Woolworths Still | Spring | ~R10 | ~R20 | Varies | Varies |
Prices approximate as of April 2026. Case pricing offers better per-unit value than single bottles.
Designer Water pH10 is competitively priced against mainstream brands while offering a significantly higher pH and more certifications. In a taste test, 96.9% of participants preferred Designer Water pH10 over competing brands.
If you are buying bottled water regularly for your household or office, larger formats deliver dramatically better value per litre. Here is the full Designer Water pH10 range:
| Format | Case Contents | Case Price | Per Litre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500ml | 24 bottles | R290 | R24.17 |
| 1 Litre | 12 bottles | R211 | R17.58 |
| 5 Litre | 4 bottles | R220 | R11.00 |
| 10 Litre | 1 bottle | R93 | R9.30 |
The 10L bottle at R9.30 per litre is the most cost-effective premium alkaline water option in South Africa. For a household drinking 3 litres per day, that works out to approximately R28 per day for pH 10+ alkaline water with six certifications.
Shop the full Designer Water pH10 range
From 500ml on-the-go to 10L for the home. SANBWA accredited. ISO 22000 certified. Delivered nationwide.
View Our RangeOffices, restaurants, hotels, gyms, and event organisers have different requirements from household buyers. Key considerations when choosing a bottled water supplier for your business:
For bulk pricing, contact us on WhatsApp or email [email protected].
Designer Water delivers bottled water across South Africa. Orders placed before 12:00 are dispatched same day. Delivery reaches all major metros including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth.
For regular orders, the Waterpreneur Programme gives you access to 100+ collection points nationwide and distributor pricing on every order. Over 5,500 active Waterpreneur distributors operate across the country, meaning you can often source Designer Water locally without waiting for courier delivery.
You can also contact us directly on WhatsApp (+27 68 628 4427) to place an order or find your nearest distributor.
The bottled water industry in South Africa is moving towards more sustainable practices. Key environmental factors to consider when choosing a brand:
South Africa is following the EU's lead on tethered bottle caps, which stay attached to the bottle after opening. This reduces cap litter and improves recycling rates. Look for brands that are already transitioning to tethered caps.
PET plastic (the clear plastic used for most water bottles) is fully recyclable. South Africa has a growing PET recycling infrastructure through organisations like PETCO. When you finish a bottle, place it in a recycling bin or drop it at a collection point.
The 5L and 10L formats produce significantly less packaging waste per litre of water consumed compared to 500ml single-serve bottles. For households and offices committed to reducing plastic waste, large format is the practical choice.
Responsible bottlers use municipal or borehole water processed through reverse osmosis, which does not deplete natural springs or aquifers. Designer Water's 14-stage process starts with municipal water, ensuring the source is sustainable and regulated.
Less packaging. Better water. Same certifications.
The 5L and 10L formats cut packaging waste while delivering pH 10+ alkaline water at R9.30 to R11 per litre.
Shop Large FormatIf you are looking beyond buying bottled water and want to sell it, Designer Water's Waterpreneur Programme is the most accessible entry point in South Africa's bottled water market.
There are no franchise fees, no monthly costs, and no contracts. Over 5,500 active Waterpreneurs currently distribute Designer Water across South Africa. You buy stock at distributor prices and sell at retail prices, keeping the margin.
Read the full breakdown: Waterpreneur Programme Details
It depends on what you prioritise. For the highest pH, most certifications, and best taste test results, Designer Water pH10 leads the market. It holds six independent certifications (SANBWA, ISO 22000, Kosher, Halal, GC Mark, GFSI) and 96.9% of participants preferred it in a taste test.
500ml bottled water ranges from R8 to R15 depending on the brand and type. Per litre, prices range from R9.30 (Designer Water 10L) to R28+ (premium spring water). Buying in larger formats or cases significantly reduces the per-litre cost.
Bottled water from SANBWA-accredited brands goes through strict quality controls and independent auditing. South African tap water quality varies significantly by municipality and infrastructure age. If you are unsure about your local tap water quality, SANBWA-accredited bottled water provides a consistent, verified alternative.
At minimum, look for SANBWA accreditation and ISO 22000 certification. SANBWA ensures the product meets South African bottled water standards. ISO 22000 confirms the facility operates under international food safety management. Additional certifications like Kosher, Halal, GC Mark, and GFSI provide further independent verification.
Yes. Designer Water delivers nationwide. Orders placed before 12:00 are dispatched same day. You can also purchase from 5,500+ Waterpreneur distributors across the country. Contact us on WhatsApp to order or find your nearest distributor.
Purified water goes through filtration (reverse osmosis, UV, carbon) to remove contaminants, but this also strips out minerals. Alkaline water adds minerals back through a controlled mineralisation process, raising the pH. Designer Water pH10 uses a 14-stage process that purifies first, then adds Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. Learn more in our Alkaline Water Benefits guide.
Yes. The Designer Water Waterpreneur Programme lets you start distributing bottled water from R539. No franchise fees, no contracts, no equipment needed. Over 5,500 active distributors operate across South Africa.
Among premium alkaline brands, Designer Water's 10L bottle at R9.30 per litre offers the best value. Standard purified water brands can be cheaper per litre, but lack the mineral enrichment, elevated pH, and certifications that alkaline water provides.
Last updated: April 2026. All claims comply with Designer Water's brand compliance guidelines. Certifications: SANBWA, ISO 22000, Kosher, Halal, GC Mark, GFSI. Shop bottled water.