When a label states that the product is "natural", this means that no minerals or chemicals have been deleted or added to the product.  Such is the case with Nicolet Natural.  Conversely, retail products like Pepsi's "Aquafina" and Coke's "Dasani" are processed from the same municipal water used to make soft drinks.  Midwest 5 gallon brands "Hinkley Springs Drinking Water", "Culligan" and "Sparkling Springs Water" are processed or blended to meet certain mineral content.  And therein lies the major difference between natural and processed . . . taste.  You simply cannot manufacture the natural taste and crispness of Mother Nature.  And when you are paying about the same price or higher for processed water, it makes sense to do it naturally with Nicolet Natural.