Water: A necessity, a luxury
Water is the first thing many of us reach for in the morning and often the last thing we drink before bed. It accompanies our meals, fills our reusable bottles, and quietly sustains us through every hour. Yet for something so essential, we rarely stop to consider where it comes from, how it reaches us, or why one glass may taste different from another.
Is water a luxury or a necessity? The answer, perhaps, is both.
A universal gesture
My curiosity about water began long before I knew there were different kinds to choose from. As a young girl, my mother would always remind me to drink spring water. She called it “live water” and believed that it was important to know the source of what we drank. At the time, I did not fully understand what she meant.
But looking back, I realize she was not teaching me to be particular. She was teaching me to pay attention. That simple lesson stayed with me longer than she ever knew.
Before the menu is opened or a conversation begins, a glass of water is often the first thing offered at a table. More than a drink, it is one of hospitality’s most universal gestures. It welcomes, refreshes, and quietly says: You are cared for here.
Source of culture, ritual, and connection
Water has shaped the story of civilization from the very beginning. Rivers, lakes, and natural springs determined where communities took root and flourished.
The ancient Greeks gathered around public baths to exercise, unwind, and exchange ideas, while the Romans elevated water into an engineering marvel, building grand bathhouses and aqueducts that carried fresh water across entire cities. Across Europe, mineral springs became celebrated destinations where people traveled to drink, bathe, and restore both body and spirit.
Water has never been merely something to quench thirst. It has always been a source of culture, ritual, and connection.
My regard for water deepened when I first traveled to Europe as a teenager. Sitting in a restaurant, the waiter asked a question I had never heard before: “Still or sparkling?” Until then, I had never thought of water as something you chose with intention. That simple question introduced me to a different way of experiencing it entirely.
In many parts of Europe, water is not simply served alongside a meal—it is considered part of the dining experience itself.
Nowhere is that more evident than in Paris. The city has invested thoughtfully in its public water system, producing high-quality water that Parisians enjoy proudly from the tap. Public refill stations are scattered throughout the city, including elegant fountains that dispense chilled sparkling water free of charge. There is even an app to help residents and visitors locate them.
To me, that reflects something deeper than convenience. It speaks of a culture that values quality, sustainability, and making good water part of everyday life.
The provenance of water
Travel has continued to surprise me in similar ways. In Iceland, locals often smile when visitors buy bottled water because the tap water is exceptionally pure, naturally filtered through volcanic rock. Yet Icelandic Glacial bottled water is often the first thing visitors see upon arriving at the airport—a fascinating contradiction that shows how water can be both an everyday essential and a symbol of the landscape it comes from.
Closer to home, I was reminded of water’s value while visiting a private island in the Philippines, where our host had created a system to collect and filter rainwater for everyday use. It was a quiet reminder that even when surrounded by the sea, clean drinking water can never be taken for granted.
Sometimes the greatest luxury is not choosing between still and sparkling—it is simply having a safe glass to drink.
Walking through the food hall at The Plaza Hotel in New York and through La Grande Épicerie de Paris, I found entire displays devoted to bottled waters from around the world. Like coffee, tea, olive oil, honey, or wine, each bottle reflected the landscape that shaped it. Water, too, has provenance—a story that begins long before it reaches the table. Luxury brands have embraced this appreciation by introducing elegant water counters and seasonal infused waters, turning the simple act of hydration into a curated experience.
Thoughtful water choices
Water pairing has become part of fine dining for exactly this reason. Some fine dining restaurants even have water sommeliers dedicated to curating the perfect pour. Just as wines are chosen to complement a meal, different waters enhance different dishes. A mineral-rich sparkling water refreshes the palate after rich, buttery food. A softer still water allows delicate flavors—seafood, vegetables, or tea—to shine.
Even the bubbles matter. Some have a gentle effervescence, others a lively carbonation that makes a water feel crisper, more vibrant.
Thoughtful water choices are also a quiet expression of hospitality. I remember helping prepare a meal for Martha Stewart during her visit to Manila. Anticipating that she might prefer sparkling water, I made sure it was available. It was a small detail, easily overlooked, but it is the smallest details that leave the biggest impression. Offering a guest a choice of still or sparkling speaks volumes before a single word is exchanged.
As my appreciation has grown, I have become more intentional. When I want a small treat, I browse the water selection at Healthy Options —occasionally picking up a bottle of Voss or Mountain Valley, curious about how each source lends its own quiet character to the glass.
I am drawn to ideas that encourage a more sustainable way of drinking water. Path Water, for example, offers purified water in a refillable aluminum bottle designed to be reused again and again—a reminder that choosing water today is also about how responsibly we consume it.
Appreciating the journey—from source to glass
Of course, conversations about water pairing and beautifully designed bottles are privileges many people around the world are still working toward. Countless communities are simply striving for dependable access to clean, safe drinking water. That reality does not diminish the joy of appreciating good water. If anything, it deepens our gratitude for every glass we can pour so effortlessly.
That, I realize, was my mother’s lesson all along. Knowing your water is not about the most expensive bottle or wellness trend. It is about understanding where it comes from, appreciating the journey from source to glass.
Water will always be a necessity. And perhaps the luxury lies not in the bottle we choose, but in having clean water to drink, the freedom to appreciate it, and the opportunity to share it with others. Once we begin paying attention, we realize it has always been far more than just water.
Know your water
- Tap water
Water that comes from your home’s faucet. In many places, it is treated to make it safe for drinking.
- Spring water
Collected from a natural underground spring and bottled at the source.
- Mineral water
Naturally contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, giving it a distinct taste.
- Purified water
Water that has been filtered to remove impurities using methods such as reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, or distillation.
- Distilled water
Water that has been boiled into steam and condensed back into liquid, removing nearly all minerals and impurities.
- Sparkling water
Water with bubbles created by natural or added carbon dioxide.
- Alkaline water
Water with a higher pH than regular drinking water. It may be naturally alkaline or have minerals added to it.
