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Top 10 Light Mineral Waters in Italy

Among the mineral waters available in Italy in the h2oMatch database, these have the lowest fixed residue values.

Italy's lightest mineral waters - top 10 by fixed residue

The 10 mineral waters available in Italy with the lowest fixed residue in the h2oMatch database. Sorted by fixed residue ascending; where fixed residue is equal, the water with less sodium comes first.

Sodium and magnesium are shown for context.

Italy's lightest mineral waters - top 10 by fixed residue: mineral waters ranked from lowest to highest Fixed residue (mg/L)
WaterFixed residue (mg/L)Sodium (mg/L)Magnesium (mg/L)
Lauretana140.90.4
Plose221.31.4
Sant'Anna Sorgente Rebruant Naturale221.51.2
Surgiva331.80.9
S. Bernardo Naturale350.80.4
Lurisia352.70.4
Levico371.71.8
Acqua Eva490.34.8
Valmora511.22.7
Goccia di Carnia591.13.8

Data based on official labels and producer sources · h2oMatch Methodology

EU label: A natural mineral water may carry the indication “very low mineral content” when fixed residue is not greater than 50 mg/L. 8 of the Top 10 above meet this threshold. Directive 2009/54/EC ↗

The bigger picture

A very light water is not automatically the best choice for everyone.

Low fixed residue can be appealing, but it also means a lower mineral contribution. For active people, the overall balance of calcium, magnesium and sodium can matter more than lightness alone.

The proof

Nearly identical fixed residue. Different mineral balance.

S. Bernardo, Lurisia and Levico have almost identical fixed residue values (35-37 mg/L), yet the proportions of calcium, magnesium and sodium differ.

S. BernardoLurisiaLevico
Fixed residue35 mg/L35 mg/L37 mg/L
Calcium10.8 mg/L4 mg/L9 mg/L
Magnesium0.4 mg/L0.4 mg/L1.8 mg/L
Sodium0.8 mg/L2.7 mg/L1.7 mg/L

Their fixed residue differs by just 2 mg/L, yet calcium varies nearly threefold, magnesium more than fourfold, and sodium more than threefold.

Which mineral water available in Italy could be a good match for you?

Fixed residue is only one part of the picture, so Quick Match looks beyond this Top 10. Answer 5 quick questions about your everyday preferences and habits. We'll compare your quick profile with all mineral waters available in Italy in the h2oMatch database and suggest one preliminary match.

5 questions · Free · No registration

Why Italian Alpine Waters Are So Light

Italy's lightest waters come from high-altitude springs in the Alps, particularly in Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and South Tyrol. Rain and snowmelt percolate quickly through granite and metamorphic rock there, so the water has little contact time with soluble minerals and emerges with a very low fixed residue.

Lowland, limestone and volcanic areas work the other way: slower flow through more soluble rock produces far more mineralized water, which is why Italy also has some of Europe's most calcium-rich sources.

Want to understand what fixed residue means? Read our guide on fixed residue in mineral water ↗

Explore Light Mineral Waters Across Europe and by Country

See how waters available in Italy compare with the lightest mineral waters across Europe, or explore similar options in other countries.

FAQ

What does “light mineral water” mean?

On this page, “light” refers to water with a low fixed residue. Under EU rules, a natural mineral water can be described as having very low mineral content when its fixed residue does not exceed 50 mg/L.

What is fixed residue?

Fixed residue is the amount of mineral salts left after one litre of water is evaporated at 180°C, expressed in mg/L. In general, the lower the fixed residue, the lower the water’s overall mineralisation.

Is low fixed residue the same as low sodium?

No. Fixed residue reflects the water’s overall mineralisation, while sodium is just one of the minerals it contains. To know whether a water is low in sodium, you need to check its sodium value rather than infer it from fixed residue alone.

Is a very light water always better?

No. Low fixed residue can be a personal preference, but it does not automatically make a water better. Very light waters generally provide fewer minerals, so for active people it can also be useful to consider calcium, magnesium and sodium together with personal habits and preferences.

Which are the lightest mineral waters available in Italy?

In the h2oMatch Italy ranking, Lauretana has the lowest fixed residue at 14 mg/L, followed by Plose and Sant’Anna at 22 mg/L.

All values are based on official mineral water labels and the h2oMatch database.