Icelandic Glacial
Icelandic Glacial is sourced from the Ölfus Spring in the Ölfus district of south-western Iceland, within a 128,000-acre protected exclusion zone at the foot of the Hengilssvæðið volcanic range. Water percolates through layers of ancient lava rock over an estimated 5,000 years before collecting at the spring. The company was founded in 2004 by Jón Ólafsson and began exporting in 2005. Icelandic Glacial was the first bottled water in the world to be certified CarbonNeutral for both product and operations. The water does not hold EU or UK natural mineral water classification; it is sold as spring water. The spring’s natural pH is 8.4.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 6 |
| Magnesium | 2 |
| Sodium | 11 |
| Sulfate | 3 |
| Chloride | 2 |
| Bicarbonate | 35 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Icelandic Glacial is a very soft, lightly mineralised water. All six ions are low: calcium 6 mg/L, magnesium 2 mg/L, sodium 11 mg/L, sulphate 3 mg/L, chloride 2 mg/L, and bicarbonate 35 mg/L. Total hardness is 23 mg/L as CaCO₃; alkalinity is 29 mg/L as CaCO₃. TDS is approximately 62 mg/L. Sodium at 11 mg/L is the highest single ion in the standard six, which is unusual for a water this soft. The natural pH of 8.4 is consistent with the alkaline lava geology rather than with the bicarbonate level alone, which at 35 mg/L would not typically produce that pH by itself.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe, but hardness 23 mg/L sits within the 9–266 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 23 mg/L is below the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe. Hardness 23 mg/L is below the 26–922 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe. Hardness 23 mg/L is below the 46–390 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 23 mg/L is below the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe, but hardness 23 mg/L sits within the 12–54 mg/L range typical for these targets.
Where to buy
AU
Coles, IGA, Woolworths
A$1.50-2.00 per litre
Icelandic Glacial is available in Australia at Coles, IGA, and Woolworths, typically A$1.50–2.00 (as of March 2026). It is also distributed in the US (Whole Foods, specialty retailers) and selectively in Europe, positioned at the premium end of the market. Sold in still format in glass and PET bottles.