Why the confusion?
Walk down any Las Vegas grocery aisle and you will see spring water, purified water, distilled water, and alkaline water stacked side by side, often from the same brands. Add a refill store with Springs in its name and it is no surprise people ask us whether we sell spring water. We do not — and once you know how the three main types differ, choosing becomes easy.
What is spring water?
Spring water is defined by where it comes from: an underground source that flows naturally to the surface (or is tapped at that source). It is filtered for safety, but its mineral content and pH are whatever the spring delivers. Two spring waters can taste completely different, and the same brand can shift over time.
That variability is the trade-off. Some people love a particular spring's taste; others find it heavy or slightly salty. Because it is bottled at the source and shipped, it is also usually the most expensive water per gallon on the shelf, before any delivery fees.
What is purified water?
Purified water is defined by how it is processed, not where it starts. At Red Rock Springs Water, purified water is produced with commercial-grade reverse osmosis (RO) filtration, a multi-stage process designed to reduce dissolved solids, chloramines, and common contaminants found in local municipal water. TDS testing is performed regularly.
The result has a neutral pH of around 7 and a clean, neutral taste. It is the usual pick for coffee and tea, cooking, baby formula, humidifiers, CPAP machines, and water dispensers, because there is very little mineral content to leave scale behind. It costs $0.40 per gallon at our purified water station.
What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water is purified water that has been mineral-enhanced so its pH rises above neutral. Ours starts as the same RO water and is enhanced with calcium, magnesium, and potassium to a consistent pH of 9.5–10.2. Those minerals are what give alkaline water its smooth, slightly sweet taste — the reason many customers say they drink more water once they switch.
Because it is produced on-site, batch after batch tastes the same, which is exactly what spring water cannot promise. Alkaline water is $1.50 per gallon.
Alkaline water vs. spring water at a glance
- Source: spring water comes from a natural spring; alkaline water is made from purified water.
- Minerals: spring water has whatever the source contains; alkaline water has a controlled mineral blend.
- pH: spring water varies (often 6.5–8); alkaline water here is 9.5–10.2.
- Consistency: spring water changes by source and season; alkaline water is the same every time.
- Price in Las Vegas: bottled spring water is typically well over $1 per gallon; alkaline refills are $1.50 per gallon and purified refills $0.40 per gallon.
Which one should you buy?
- You want clean, neutral water for appliances, cooking, or a dispenser: purified RO water.
- You want a smooth, mineral taste for everyday drinking: alkaline water.
- You love a specific spring's taste and do not mind paying for bottles: spring water.
Many west-valley families keep both of ours on hand — an alkaline jug on the counter for drinking and a purified jug for the coffee maker — and refill them together. Where to buy alkaline water in Las Vegas compares grocery bottles, delivery, and refill stations in more detail.
About the name
Red Rock Springs Water has been a Las Vegas refill store since 2003, named for the red-rock landscape west of the city, not for a spring. Everything we sell is produced in the store at 9132 W Sahara Ave and dispensed fresh the day you fill.
Refill near Summerlin and Spring Valley
We are on W Sahara Ave just east of Fort Apache Rd (Rampart Blvd): about 8 minutes from Downtown Summerlin, 6 to 9 minutes from most of Spring Valley, and a few minutes from The Lakes, Peccole Ranch, and Rhodes Ranch, making it the closest dedicated refill station for much of west Las Vegas. Bring any clean 1, 2, 3 or 5-gallon jug, rinse it at the bottle cleaning station, and we will load it into your car for free. The outdoor vending machines are available 24/7; the indoor station is open Mon–Fri 10AM–6PM and Sat–Sun 10AM–4PM.
