Does Marine Watermaker Water Taste Different From Bottled Water?

Many boaters considering onboard water production wonder about the quality and flavor of what their system will create. Taste is subjective, but it's influenced by measurable factors like mineral content, storage conditions, and production methods. Understanding what shapes water flavor helps set realistic expectations for any freshwater system.

This article explores the factors that influence water taste, how reverse osmosis technology affects flavor profiles, the role of mineral content, and what variables can impact your specific system's output. You'll gain insight into what to expect from freshwater produced at sea and how it compares to what you'd purchase at the store.

What Affects Water Taste in General

Water flavor comes primarily from dissolved minerals, gases, and trace compounds rather than the H2O molecules themselves. Pure water is essentially tasteless, but the substances it carries create the flavor profiles we associate with different water sources. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, and bicarbonates contribute to what we perceive as taste, along with dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Temperature also plays a significant role in how we experience water flavor. Cold water generally tastes more refreshing and can mask subtle flavors, while room temperature water allows us to detect more nuances in mineral content and any off-flavors. This is why most people prefer chilled drinking water regardless of the source.

Storage conditions further impact taste perception. Water sitting in plastic containers can pick up subtle flavors from the packaging material, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. The duration of storage matters too, as water can go "stale" when dissolved gases escape or when it absorbs odors from its environment.

How Reverse Osmosis Impacts Flavor

Reverse osmosis systems remove the vast majority of dissolved solids from source water, creating a very pure product. This process strips out salt, minerals, contaminants, and most other dissolved substances, leaving behind water that's chemically closer to distilled water than typical drinking water. The result is a clean, neutral taste without the mineral complexity found in spring water or municipal supplies.

Some people describe freshly produced reverse osmosis water as having a "flat" or "empty" taste because it lacks the mineral content they're accustomed to. Others prefer this clean profile, finding it more refreshing than mineral-rich alternatives. Your preference often depends on what you've grown accustomed to drinking throughout your life.

The membranes used in these systems are highly efficient at removing unwanted substances while producing potable water. However, the production process itself doesn't add anything to the water, so the output is remarkably consistent in its purity. This predictability is actually an advantage, as you know exactly what you're getting each time you produce a batch.

Comparing Fresh Production to Stored Bottled Water

One key difference when considering whether water from marine watermakers tastes different than bottled varieties is freshness. Bottled water often sits in storage for weeks or months before consumption, during which time it can absorb flavors from plastic packaging or lose dissolved gases that contribute to taste. Freshly produced water from your system hasn't had time to develop these storage-related flavor changes.

Bottled water comes in various types, from purified water similar to reverse osmosis output to mineral water with specific dissolved solid profiles. Spring water and mineral water contain naturally occurring minerals that give them distinct flavors, while purified or distilled bottled water tastes similar to what a marine system produces. Comparing apples to apples means matching the water type rather than assuming all bottled water tastes the same.

The packaging material matters more than many people realize. Glass-bottled water typically retains a purer taste than plastic-bottled alternatives, especially when stored in warm conditions. Water produced fresh from your onboard system bypasses these packaging issues entirely, going directly from production to your glass or storage tank.

Mineral Content and Taste Perception

The taste difference between watermaker and bottled water often comes down to mineral content. Many popular bottled waters contain specific mineral profiles that manufacturers believe enhance flavor. These might include calcium for body, magnesium for smoothness, or small amounts of sodium for a subtle savory note. Premium bottled waters even advertise their mineral composition as a selling point.

Reverse osmosis water contains minimal minerals, which can make it taste lighter or less substantial to those accustomed to mineral-rich sources. Some boaters choose to remineralize their produced water by adding a pinch of sea salt or using mineral drops. This isn't necessary for health reasons when you're eating a normal diet, but it can adjust the flavor to personal preference.

Interestingly, many municipal water supplies and bottled purified waters also use reverse osmosis in their treatment process, then add back specific minerals for taste. This means the water you produce at sea is fundamentally similar to many store-bought purified waters before any post-treatment mineralization occurs.

Factors That Influence Your System's Output

Several variables affect if watermaker-produced water differs in taste from what you buy in bottles. Membrane condition plays a role, as older or fouled membranes may not reject contaminants as effectively, allowing trace amounts of salt or other substances through. Regular maintenance ensures consistent output quality and taste.

Source water salinity impacts the final product as well. Systems operating in areas with higher salt concentrations work harder to achieve the same purity level. Most quality systems handle this variation easily, but extreme conditions or poorly maintained equipment might produce water with detectable salt content that affects flavor.

Storage after production matters just as much as the production itself. Water held in clean, food-grade tanks without exposure to contaminants maintains its fresh taste. Tanks that aren't properly cleaned or that harbor bacteria can introduce off-flavors regardless of how pure the water was when produced. The same storage issues that affect bottled water can impact your onboard tanks if you're not vigilant about cleanliness.

In Conclusion

Water produced by marine systems typically has a clean, neutral taste similar to purified bottled water, though it lacks the mineral complexity of spring water or enhanced bottled varieties. Freshness gives onboard production an advantage over stored bottled water, while proper maintenance and clean storage ensure consistently good flavor. Personal preference plays the largest role in whether you prefer the taste of one source over another.

Having the ability to produce fresh drinking water whenever you need it transforms how you experience life on the water. Our EcoSistems watermakers use advanced reverse osmosis technology with energy recovery systems that deliver reliable, high-quality water production. Get a free quote for a marine watermaker and discover how our proven technology can provide you with fresh, clean water throughout your voyages.