Supposedly one of the purist water sources in the Santa Monica Mountains. On public land, but currently fenced off due to a ‘snail infestation!’
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How to Collect Spring Water
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
If it is closed due to “snail infestation”, it could be one of several invasive species the state is desperately trying to eradicate. The New Zealand mudsnail is a very tiny snail, but it breeds quickly and can block drains and pipes. It is spread by boats, waders, and fishing gear that isn’t cleaned properly.
The golden apple snail is also a problem in California.
So while this spring may not have any snails, the state apparently wants to keep it that way by limiting access.
I have a kidney problem, i currently have a nephrostomy tube and im trying to clean my kidneys as much as possible with out drinking too much cause its painful. does anyone know if itd be beneficial to drink spring water as opposed to bottled water, or filtered through a brita pitcher or whatever? any info would be appreciated.
spring water would be the best water you could drink.
this website is lame, posting about springs that are not accessible to the public or that are contaminated. this is the second spring I’ve clicked on that I can’t get water from!!
All springs that are entered are from people who have visited these springs, we cannot guarantee the safety of any spring. We trust that those who enter springs are entering springs that are safe and well loved, this is not always the case. We do the best we can to get the information out there about springs from fellow spring hunter’s comments. There are many wonderful springs on this site. I hope you find another and have success. -Ashley and The Find a Spring Team
Thank you so much for the information on this site! Such important work that you are doing!
What is a spring in Los Angeles that is being used without issues being reported about? This one does not appear to be too good — at least per some of the comments, although they are old. Thank you!
Mariana, You should find out about the spring first. Some springs are high in minerals which are fine for healthy bodies, but may cause interactions with already existing conditions. Might not kill ya, might just slow ya down.
Hello water family! Are there any updates on this spring?!
On a bike ride going up Stunt Rd years back, I spotted a pool of water along the side of the road. Water was seeping out of the hillside and collecting in a small pool that was created by the piling of rocks and sand by someone. I’ve drank the water from there many times. My guess is that is the run off from the spring, located uphill from that spot.
Try the spring in Springville, Angelenos! It’s three hours away but well worth the trip.
Hi,
You should add the spring to the site so everyone could try it! I would go there but don’t know exactly where it is.
hey can someone please tell me how we really know where this comes from? to me, water coming out of a pipe is not a spring, yes? i mean, how do we know how clean the pipes are and where they lead to? how do we even know this water is safe to drink, it might be contaminated run off water or sewer water yes? should i contact the city of calabasas, do you think they would be able to tell me where it comes from? i will do that : )
Did you get an answer?
Is this spring accessible? Any update?
Anyone have any updates on this location? is it still closed?
Cold Creek is in the wooded part of Calabasas. You can get there by way of Mulholland Hwy. Spring water is amazing for you! DO NOT DRINK the water from this spring until the area is fixed up though.
DJD or anyone,
Where is the Springville Angelenos Spring?
Thank you
Thanks anyway!!! Do you know of any good springs in the LA area???
Is this a spring that we can go and get some water? Is that even possible if you live in Los Angeles? Can we call them?
This should be corrected to CALABASAS, not Calibasa..!! 🙂
Thank you! We’ve updated 🙂
@ashley knight can we get an exact location?
Hello! I’m afraid I can not give you an exact location. We only approve the springs that are uploaded to our site by people who find these springs, so we have not been to many of the springs ourselves or know of their exact location. Sorry I cannot be of more help.
Is there anyone that has directions for this spring that can help out?
does anyone have any further details as to where this spring is
More details please! Thanks!
Have you gotten any information about this site yet?
THe town is called Calabasas, not Calibasa. I live there. How do I find the spring? Do you have a pin point GPS for this location of a spring water?
GPS 34.087416, -118.644757