Hot Springs, AR — For over a century, Mountain Valley Spring Water has sold itself as "America's premium spring water," bottling what it claims is naturally pure water from deep in the Ouachita Mountains. But a new investigation is turning that mountain stream fantasy into a pipe dream.

According to a recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the beloved green-glass bottled water might be just a sophisticated case of branding — and possibly not much more than glorified tap water.

"Roughly 64% of bottled water sold in the U.S. comes from municipal sources," said Dr. Melissa Carter, a lead researcher at EWG. "Mountain Valley fits the pattern. Despite their legacy branding, the source we traced appears to be indistinguishable from local municipal supplies — only lightly filtered and pH-balanced."

From Tap to Table?

The revelation has left long-time fans feeling more than a little parched.

"I thought I was drinking water that once trickled past deer and granite," said Carter Winslow, a yoga instructor from Santa Monica. "Now I find out it might've just looped through a fire hydrant?"

Mountain Valley, whose signature green bottle has graced the tables of presidents and celebrities alike, responded to the report in a carefully worded statement:

"Mountain Valley continues to source its water from protected and sustainable sources. Our process includes rigorous testing and treatment protocols to ensure quality and taste."

But critics say "protected" doesn't necessarily mean "untouched," and "sustainable" may simply refer to municipal infrastructure.

The Price of Prestige

What's worse, the study highlights a broader concern: the environmental and ethical implications of bottling what is essentially tap water and selling it at up to 2,000 times the cost.

"It's not just misleading — it's wasteful," said Dr. Carter. "Consumers think they're paying for purity, but they're mostly paying for packaging and perception."

Still Thirsty for the Truth

Meanwhile, EWG is calling for clearer labeling standards on bottled water, pushing for federal regulations that require companies to disclose water sources directly on the bottle — not hidden on a corporate webpage or buried in fine print.

Until then, consumers may want to take a closer look at what's really flowing through their $3.99 glass bottle of "nature."