Vickie***Spring is likely defunct ***
Here’s the link to a video of this spring on my youtube,
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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.
Palomar Mountain Water was bought out by Nestle in 2020 and they shut down the roadside taps. However, there is a hack. Go to the State Park down the road and get a free 20-minute pass. Go to the campground and there are spigots to fill containers. I’ve been driving up there for over a decade, filling up my truck with 5gl containers. It’s way better than any bottled water.
Hello, is the direction of the spring still available for me to get water?
So I found it on Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/S+Grade+Rd,+Palomar+Mountain,+CA+92060/@33.3143688,-116.8705886,3a,60y,321.33h,85.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sV5oYTdjQ6qNMKwntWwU35Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x80db97292ab4322d:0x95da351095569811!8m2!3d33.3367175!4d-116.8739612
Easy to locate driving up the mountain but all dried up currently. September 2021
Visited the site hoping there would be running water last Saturday (July 10, 2021). Bone dry :-(. Probably because of lack of rainfall and the drought, but would be curious if anyone has gotten water mid-summer on a good rainfall year.
Was just here, 6/14/21. Still closed and doesn’t look like it will be reopening.
Visited the spring last Sunday 9/16/18. It’s pouring and delicious.
On a side note… You will notice another spring not far below this spring that has been shut down or dismantled. This could be the one that was contaminated. Just an observation.
Sorry but the dot locator is also wrong, how can we move that to the right spot??
Please use this tool to find the accurate pin point for the map. Once you find it, send it to us and we’ll update it. Thank you! ~Q
Leighlon, which tool? I can pin it the next time I visit the spring, if you can explain how.
Please use this tool to get the coordinates: http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html
HELLO, I haven’t been up there in years, and I see now they have a senor located so the water can come out. do you have to put your bottle on the sensor? I’m wondering if it is dry also?
The reason this spring is sometimes not working is because people leave the faucets on. So then the owner removes them. At least that is what a local told me. I was here Oct 2019, no water. Faucets were there, just a trickle, so disappointing. Locals frown on us coming for water. He said that the owners has it running for those who live on the mountain. I rarely make the drive, so when I do and there is no water, I go home in tears!
The best kept secret natural Alkaline spring water is found at the Echo Hills Alkaline Spring in Hemet. Find us on Facebook and findaspring.com
Went by 2024 July, it is off completely. Very sad
I went last week and a new handle was installed! Water is clean and flowing! Best ever! 🙂
3/11/2018
I was at the spring yesterday and the handle had been removed from the filling station. There was no way I could see to pump water. If anyone knows how to fix this, or replace the handle you would be doing a GREAT service to our community!
Please update this if anyone knows a way to get water from this spring. The water here is truely the best ever!
UPDATE (5/14/18):
I went back last week and a new handle was installed! Water is flowing again and tastes clean and fresh as ever! Best Ever!
March 11, 2017
Filling station handle has been removed! Does anyone know how to fix this? Not able to get Spring water today!
Filled 30 gallons last week. Amazing water!
Hey everyone. Does anyone know for certain if this spring is still shut down and not flowing?
I’ve been going to a spring in Ojai which is in the middle of the wild fires and need spring water!
Please let me know!
I was there today. Its good! Sorry no one else could confirm it for you any sooner than I.
Did you ever get an answer? I would love to find a great spring in SoCal, I just moved here
just went up on 5 12 2018 flow was verry low just enough to fill a liter water bottle but it still is cold and fresh
I went again on Sunday (9/17/17) and the spring was dry. I am manifesting a flowing spring next time! I live in San Diego and the next best in the area I have found is the famous Carlsbad Well…
https://find-a-spring-stage.local/locations/north-america/usa/carlsbad-mineral-spa-carlsbad-ca/
I went today (7/16/2017) and water is flowing! Fresh and COLD! Beautiful drive! Beautiful scenery! Lots of green and life around the spring! Water is the BEST EVER! LOVE!
Coordinates: 33.314500, -116.870528
I was up on Palomar 4/2/17 and the Artesian No1 on South Grade is bone dry. Bummer to make the trip up there only to come home with empty bottles. Always love driving up Palomar for water. Is this permanent or temporary anyone know? Are there any other locations for water on the mountain?
September 26,2017
Just filled 6 carboys today with no problem. Strong flow, about 2 min for 6 gals.
Have you been back lately? How is the water? Is it flowing?
I am so disappointed this spring has been shut down. I have health issues and this is the only water that made me feel good. We should all do a
Fundraiser and buy back the spring.
I went up on january 17th and the faucets were shut off. Anyone else have any updates?
I was here 11/25/16. Looked like the fountains had been shut down for a while. The hardware had all been removed and capped off. I will try to upload pictures.
Just went there today and filled up 4 bottles while tooling around the area. Timed the last bottle fill at 2 mins 30 secs to fill up a 5 gal bottle. =)
Tried to get water Nov 25th and it was completely shut off. Ranger said that the spring was purchased by a company and they turn it on and off at their will. Not a reliable spring anymore, if you’re driving from LA, like me. Very sad.
Drove to the spring yesterday. It was flowing good. Filled 2 five gallon jugs.
Updating my last review, I filled up 4 out of my 8 carboys today. It took about an hour and 15 min and I gave up haha Water flow was strong at first and gradually slowed to a trickle with the last bottle taking an eternity. Living over an hour away, the rate of flow and risk of it not even flowing I’m not sure its worth the drive when Carlsbad is reasonably close at 70 cents a gallon. If anyone has any ideas to ad you can reach me at hxcsurfer22(at)yahoo
Drove out today and there wasn’t any water flowing. Talked to the ranger at the state park and she said it was shut off. I did meet a couple that had driven up for water and said that they had filled up last month.
I was there Monday July 18th 2016 and the water is flowing. Filled up 15 gallons, only took about 2-3 minutes or so to fill a 5 gallon jug and nobody else around. Water tastes good and clean. I will soon have this actual water tested for my own piece of mind. You never know what may be in the water. However On the Palomar website, they invite the public to enjoy free spring water at this location. I would imagine the water is tested safe to drink or they would not advertise such. I’m from Colorado and used to drinking ElDorado springs which is some of the best in the world. In comparison this water tastes fine. Hoping for good test results as I enjoy taking trips and filling up at springs and having a fresh water source.
Its open again. I went there a couple of weeks ago.
Any updates on whether it’s open or dried up?
Thanks for any information.
Hi
Any updates? Want to make sure that’s it’s open before we head out.
My girlfriend and I went to visit the spring today, and it was completely dried up. I am getting in contact with Palomar Mountain Spring Water to get more information. Because we are new to this, I do not want to put in a false report just in case we did something wrong. I am also interested in buying the five-gallon glass bottles from the company for a dispenser we want at the home. However, my concern is if the water is dried up due to the drought, then where is the water coming from? I am looking out for the health and safety for myself and my loved ones, and I know the value of spring water and just want to ensure I am making a responsible decision.
Howdy,
Just went to the spring today, water was running quite slow. Takes between 8-10 minutes to fill a 5 gallon jug. Regardless, I spent the time to fill all my glass as this is the best water available in San Diego. Crisp, cool, full of minerals. Word on the streets is it’s rich in silica. Don’t tell your friends though, keep this spring a secret for us cool folk.
I am planning to drive to this spring from Orange County in the next few days. I’ll take the 1 south to the 5 then go east on the 76. I was there in February this year and filled up my bottles with no problem. The water was great! If anyone would like to carpool to get water, please fill out a contact form at ShaunBlair.com. (Sorry, I have learned not to post my e-mail address because of web crawlers that collect them for spamming/hacking.)
I am also wondering about the contamination from the spill. I am new to this spring hunting. I live in wildomar next Murrieta. Does anyone know of a fresh spring that isn’t being pumped? My first spring was in greer arizona and it was so good. If anyone knows of one and doesn’t want to give it up to everyone. My email is dreamsrreal22@yahoo.com.
The details says that the spring structure is found within mile marker 46. Actually, the spring is between the markers 47.4 and the 47.5 on the left side of the road as you’re going uphill. We went yesterday and filled out water from it. It was very good water!
However, on the right side of the road at marker 46, we saw a driveway to a private property. We went up that driveway and found faucets that did not have water. That’s probably the ones they referred to in the first comment when they mentioned the petrol spill.
Hi, any recent updates on this spring? I have never been and would like to try it out, coming from San Diego. We’re there any tests done since the oil spill mentioned in one of the earlier posts? Thank you.
Went here today. Spring flowing very good. Filled a bunch of containers. Located just after mile marker 47 on the left of South Grade Rd.
First of all you shouldn’t refill your water bottles especially if they are plastic unless you ionize them first. You will be drinking contaminated water this way.
I went to this spring last week; the water is running very fast and it tastes clean.
For those interested in seeing a standard drinking water test, it can be obtained by emailing customer service at Palomar Water (palomarwater.com).
However, I am concerned about possible contamination remaining from the petrol spill mentioned in the first comment above. Does anyone have more information on this? I am looking into having it tested for petroleum/EC’s.
Hey Katie, can you post an update about your investigation regarding your concern? I live in San Diego so I am interested to know. Thanks!
Katie,
Thanks for the info….. So it was obviously free??
Drove up in the rain January 11th. Closest to mile marker 47. No one there. Water was cool, clean and fast flowing. Filled a dozen bottles super quick. Absolutely beautiful in the middle of the clouds! Just wish we could have found a port-a-potty…
Just went to this spring yesterday…it’s open and the water is flowing. Tastes great!! Filled up 40 gallons and no one else was there so it didn’t take long. We went hiking in the state park afterwards, so it was a great day 🙂
Hoping to go up to the Palomar Spring soon. It’s rained a couple of times so we are hoping it is running. Has anyone gone recently who can give an update? Don’t want to drive 1 1/2 hours for a dry spring.
Thanks in advance 🙂
I live in Escondido (about 30 min. from Palomar Mtn). I buy Palomar Mountain Spring Water. It’s trucked down from an old spring on the mountain and is bottled here in Escondido. You can go to the bottling plant and buy it in bulk at 50 cents per gallon. It’s the best there is — “high mountain spring water” — the only way to go.
I was there a couple of weeks ago, seemed like there was air in the pipes, filled our bottles, water flow was slower than usual.
Spring is open to the public again as of April 2014. Site is not pumped like stated, is is a free flowing spring with a pump and a small supply tank to fill bottles faster. Please remove all litter and be considerate to others so we can keep the spring free for those to use. Enjoy Address is: 33400 S. Grade Road (County highway S-6) Palomar Mountain, Ca 92060
I went there today and the spring appears to be dry. Three gallons trickled out and then it began to squirt brown water in spurts, which I imagine is built up rust in the pipes.
Please update if anyone goes there and it is operational again.
Any tests on this spring? tds, ph, toxins????? I would love to visit, but CA has become dirty, dry and dead. Anybody?
THIS SPRING IS OPEN! It has been for a few months now!!!
I got an email from Palomar Mountain Spring saying the Spring is open to the public FOR DRINKING. There was a sign that said WATER ONLY FOR RADIATOR USE that sign has been removed and this water is good for drinking! Please change the status of this spring so people can continue enjoying this amazing water!
Thanks for the update! The spring has now been changed on the site 🙂
Was Just there on 4/20/2014 and the center “spring” is open and running. It seems to change through out the year. You can always continue up the road a few miles to fry creek camp grounds where you will find some of the best spring water in socal. Stay Hydrated!
*This spring is closed! Do not attempt to visit. Drove 3 hours from LA yesterday (Sept 22 2013) only to find it literally covered in cobwebs and sand. Done.
Locals told me it was closed by the land owner in 2007 due to a petrol spill on the hill above. Owner did’t want to deal with the liability of tainted water.
Maximum bummer.
Park on the top of the mountain was beautiful at least, which helped to ease the heartbreaking waste of time.
Luke
We have updated the heading to note this spring is closed. Thank you for the update Luke! ~The FindASpring Team