Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about ESKA spring water? We have answers!

Below are the questions we are most commonly asked about ESKA spring water, our products and packaging, our distribution network and our activities.

  1. Is ESKA spring water naturally carbonated?

    ESKA water is not naturally carbonated. A small amount of carbon dioxide is added to the water at the time of bottling to lightly carbonate it without adding sodium.

  2. Do you add ozone to ESKA water?

    We do not add ozone to our water. Eska water comes from a natural underground spring and requires no chemical processing prior to being bottled. At the Saint-Mathieu-Lac-Berry esker, the water is naturally filtered through the sand and rocks. The result of this natural filtration process is water that is microbiologically pure, low in mineral content, and kept cool at 5°C, a temperature too low for bacteria to exist.

  3. Do you add fluoride or chlorine to ESKA water?

    We do not add fluoride or chlorine to our water. Despite some controversy surrounding the fluoridation of public water systems, fluoride is a naturally occurring substance found in many of the world’s water sources that are not inherently toxic. Moreover, the fluoride concentration in Eska water (0.1 part per million) is very low. If you check the mineral composition chart on our label, you’ll see the entire mineral content of our water

  4. What are the different Eska bottle formats?

    We offer Eska water in different formats. You can be sure to find the water bottle format that suits you: natural, carbonated or flavoured, in glass bottles or plastic cans. Sizes include 330ml, 500ml, 710ml, 1L, 1.5L and 4L. Discover all the details about our products.

  5. I conducted my own pH test on my bottle of Eska water, and the result was higher/lower thank 7.8 amount indicated on your labels. How can it be?

    Our quality control department conducts regular pH tests on our water. The 7.8 value on our label is an average and is based on our test results over an extended period of time. We therefore cannot guarantee that a bottle sampled at random will have an exact pH value of 7.8.

  6. I see small particles floating in my water. What are they? Is the water safe to drink ?

    Most of the time, these small white particles are crystalized calcium. Under certain conditions, the calcium in the water will crystalize if the water freezes during transport, for example. Once the water thaws, these crystals may remain in the water, which explains the small white particles you see. These crystals do not affect the quality of the water, nor do they pose a health risk.

  7. What are the different Eska bottle formats?

    We offer Eska water in different formats. You can be sure to find the water bottle format that suits you: natural, carbonated or flavoured, in glass bottles or plastic cans. Sizes include 330ml, 500ml, 710ml, 1L, 1.5L and 4L. Discover all the details about our products.

  8. Is Eska water subject to any chemical treatment?

    Eska water is not subjected to any treatment other than nature’s care. The St. Mathieu esker, located in northern Quebec, creates the perfect underground filtration system. Eska water is drawn at the source after 15 years of natural filtration by glacial rocks.

  9. What is the filtration system of Eska water?

    Our water is naturally filtered for over 15 years in the heart of the esker's underground formations. The esker keeps the source at a low temperature of 5 ° C, which prevents any bacteria from forming and protects the purity of the water. To find out more about the filtration process, you can consult our site web.
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  1. How often do you test the water from Eska’s esker?

    We perform a few hundred tests every day on our products from the source water to the bottled result. These tests range from chemical, to micro-biological, to organoleptic. Our standards meet or exceed all requirements. We are regulated by MAPAQ, CFIA, MELCC, and Health Canada. We receive third-party audits and are NSF and HACCP certified. As for all food products, the results are not available to the public. However, they are available and audited by government authorities upon request.

  2. Can a rPET bottle be recycled repeatedly or does it degrade over time?

    An rPET bottle can be recycled over and over again. While it’s true that a breakdown of the polymer chains occurs when the resin goes through multiple heat cycles during the recycling process, recyclers can use additives to raise the rPET to the proper water bottle specifications. This allows PET and rPET to have many lives, particularly in continued use in beverage and other food containers. So please recycle!
    All Eska water PET plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans are 00% recyclable.If you live in a province that does not offer a deposit refund program for water bottles or cans, we encourage you to dispose of them in a recycling bin.

  3. What kind of plastic do you use in your bottles?

    Our bottles are made rPET : a recycled PET plastic. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

    Using 100% recycled plastic (rPET) provides new life for used plastic, eliminates the manufacturing of new, virgin plastic and highlights the importance of creating a closed loop system of recycling and reuse.

  4. Do your bottles contain bisphenol A (BPA)?

    No, our bottles do not contain any bisphenol A (BPA). They are made from polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) plastic, a material that’s 100% recyclable and approved for use in beverage containers by organizations such as the Canadian Bottled Water Association.

  5. What does the circled letter “U” followed by a “P” on your labels mean?

    The encircled “U” on our labels designates that our water is considered kosher and pareve by the Union of Jewish Orthodox Congregations. The “P” following this symbol indicates that the product can be used for Passover.

  6. What does the MK symbol on your labels mean?

    The MK symbol certifies that our products are kosher. This certification is awarded by the MK-Canada Kosher Certification Agency.

  1. Can I have ESKA delivered directly to my home?

    For now, we do not offer home delivery. We invite you to follow up in the future to see whether Eska spring water has become available for home delivery.

  2. I am a distributor/retailer and would like to transport/export Eska water. How do I go about this?

    If you are interested in purchasing ESKA water for commercial/resale purposes or to supply your workplace, please contact us at info@eskawater.com and include the following information:

    • Location (city, province):
    • Company name/industry:
    • Contact name:
    • Contact phone number:
    • Desired formats:
    • Approximate quantity required (number of cases per week/month, etc.):

     

    We will forward your inquiry to the appropriate representative.

  3. I am interested in providing professional transport services for Eska. Whom should I contact?

    If you are interested in transporting Eska water, please send your complete contact information to info@eskawater.com and include the regions served by your company. We will forward your inquiry to one of our representatives.

  4. Where can we buy Eska products?

    Eska Natural Spring Water is available at most grocery stores in Quebec - Metro, IGA, Provigo, Uniprix - as well as Couche-Tard convenience stores.

    You can find Eska products in the vast majority of supermarkets, as well as in pharmacies, and convenience stores.

  5. Where is the Eska water bottled?

    Eska water is largely bottled at our plant in St-Mathieu-d’Harricana, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Quebec).

  1. What do the snowflake, stone and drop of water represent in the Eska logo?

    These three components represent the natural filtration process of ESKA spring water:

    • The snowflake symbolizes the origins of Eska spring water. Whenever it snows or rains, the water that accumulates on the forest floor penetrates through the soil and flows into the esker’s underground formations.
    • The stone symbolizes the meticulous, natural filtration of Eska water by the glacial rocks in northern Quebec. Over a period of more than 15 years, the precipitation that collects from snow and rainfall is gradually filtered through the layers of rock, sand and gravel found in the esker, far removed from human activity.
    • The droplet of water represents naturally pure Eska spring water, harvested directly at its source. ESKA water, pristine and fresh in taste and content, is the result of the esker’s unique filtration system.

  2. Can I visit your bottling facility in Saint-Mathieu-d’Harricana?

    It is now possible to visit the bottling facility of ESKA water. Visits are made by reservation only, from June 25 until September 15. For more information and to make a reservation, please call (+1) 819-727-1242 or visit www.ville.amos.qc.ca/visitez

    We also invite you to pay a visit to the Pavillon d’interprétation de l’esker. This tourist pavilion, which is near our facility, offers a wealth of information about the formation of the esker, its ecological role and the ESKA Natural Spring Water bottling process. You’ll also have the chance to draw water that comes directly from the ESKA source and enjoy a picnic in the pavilion grounds. The pavilion is open from May 15 to October 15. To learn more about this fascinating venue, please visit http://www.stmathieudharricana.com/pavillon-des-eskers (French language website).

  3. Is Eska a Canadian company?

    The Eska brand is owned by Eska Inc., a privately owned Canadian company with its corporate offices in downtown Laval. The company’s bottling facility is located in Saint-Mathieu-d’Harricana. Eska Inc. employs approximately 130 people in Quebec and Ontario.

  4. How do you ensure that the esker is preserved?

    We only use a small part of the great natural source that is the Saint-Mathieu esker. Our license allows us to use 20% of the source recharge.

    However, we only use 7-9% according to the results of a study by an independent hydrogeologist.

    Protecting the esker and pure spring water are at the heart of our teams' daily missions and remain our priority. Our operations are completely sustainable and have no adverse effects to the ground or surface water quality or quantity.

If you have not found the answers to your questions, contact us, and we’ll be pleased to help.

Contact our team