One Water
One Water is a UK-based ethical bottled water brand founded in 2005 that sells spring water in five sustainable packaging formats through major UK retailers, donating all profits to The One Foundation to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersRichmond, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What One Water does
One Water is a UK-based ethical bottled water brand founded in 2005 by Duncan Goose and operated by Global Ethics Ltd from its headquarters in Richmond. The company sources natural spring water, primarily from Wales where it filters through mineral-rich volcanic rock, and packages it in five formats: 100% recycled rPET bottles, aluminium cans (71% recycled), Tetra Pak cartons (88% renewable materials), glass bottles (40% recycled), and refillable aluminium bottles. All packaging is 100% recyclable, and the rPET format carries a reported carbon footprint of 89.4gCO2e per unit. The company has evolved its sustainability practices from carbon-neutral certification (2010) through Scope 3 offsetting (2018) to active decarbonization via the Science Based Targets Initiative since 2024.
The commercial model is a direct-to-consumer packaged goods operation distributing through UK grocery (Sainsbury's, Co-op, Ocado), health retail (Holland & Barrett), travel retail (World Duty Free), coffee (Starbucks UK), foodservice wholesalers (Cotswold Fayre, Bidfood, Brakes, LWC), and selected enterprise accounts (Brentford FC since July 2025). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. All profits from water sales are donated to The One Foundation, which has channelled over £30 million into clean water, sanitation, and reforestation projects across approximately 20 countries since 2005, with current operations in Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. Reported outcomes include 5 million+ lives changed and reforestation activity via the Tree Project in partnership with Fisherman's Rest NGO.
The company has 11–50 employees and is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investment, operating as part of "The One Brand" alongside The One Foundation (registered UK charity 1118810) and Global Ethics Liquor Co Ltd (One Gin). It is a founding UK B Corporation (7th registered, current score 132.6 — highest among global soft drinks brands), a UN Global Compact signatory, and a certified Living Wage employer. In March 2025 the company underwent a brand refresh launching the "Do One Good Thing" consumer movement.
One Water firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- One Water
- Legal name
- Global Ethics Ltd
- Website
- https://onewater.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- One Water is a UK-based ethical bottled water brand founded in 2005 that sells spring water in five sustainable packaging formats through major UK retailers, donating all profits to The One Foundation to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where One Water is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
One Water business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Bottled Water Retail Sales: Revenue generated from selling bottled still and sparkling water products through retail stores, e-commerce platforms, and foodservice outlets. All profits from water sales support The One Foundation's water and sanitation projects.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
One Water product offering
Product offeringCore offering
One Water produces and sells still and sparkling spring water sourced from natural springs in the UK and Ireland in five packaging formats (100% recycled rPET plastic bottles, aluminium cans, Tetra Pak cartons, glass bottles, and refillable aluminium bottles). All products are 100% recyclable. The company operates as a social enterprise, with profits from bottled water sales donated to The One Foundation to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Product overview
One Water is a UK-based ethical bottled water company offering still and sparkling spring water in five packaging formats: 100% recycled rPET plastic bottles, aluminium cans (71% recycled), Tetra Pak cartons (FSC paperboard with plant-based cap), glass bottles (40% recycled), and refillable aluminium bottles. All products are 100% recyclable. The company uses its sales to fund clean water projects through The One Foundation, having raised over £30 million and changed 5 million lives since 2005.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- rPET Bottles (Still and Sparkling) Bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic, PVC and BPA free, available in 500ml size for still and sparkling water. Carbon footprint of 89.4gCO2e/unit, making it the least carbon-intensive option in the range.
- Aluminium Cans (Still and Sparkling) 100% recyclable aluminium cans made from 71% recycled aluminium, infinitely recyclable without quality loss, available in 330ml size.
- Tetra Pak Cartons 100% recyclable cartons made with sustainable paperboard from FSC-approved forests and plant-based cap made from sugar cane, containing 88% renewable raw materials.
- Glass Bottles (Still and Sparkling) Glass bottles made with 40% recycled glass content, infinitely recyclable, reusable and refillable, with a larger carbon footprint due to heavier packaging.
- Refillable Aluminium Bottles 100% recyclable refillable bottles made from 100% recycled aluminium, filled using 100% renewable energy. Carbon footprint of 508.1gCO2e/unit but becomes more sustainable than rPET after 6 or more refills.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 million+ lives changed through water access projects
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use One Water
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
One Water technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
One Water partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Brentford FCflagshipOfficial water partner supplying Gtech Community Stadium and Robert Rowan Performance Centre. One Water is exclusive supplier of spring water for matchdays, commercial events, and training facilities. Partnership includes collaboration with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust on community engagement projects in west London.
- Tree Project (Fisherman's Rest NGO)coreReforestation programme in Malawi (Blantyre Rural and Chikwawa districts) run by Fisherman's Rest NGO. One Water supports tree planting including fruit trees and agroforestry trees, fuel efficient cookstoves, and school education. Forests estimated to sequester over 10 million tonnes of carbon annually.
- The One FoundationcoreOne Water's parent charity partner. All profits from One Water sales are donated to The One Foundation, which funds sustainable water and sanitation programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently funding projects in Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. Over 20 years, has helped change 5 million lives.
- World Duty FreecoreTravel retail partner distributing One Water products at airport locations.
- Sainsbury'scoreMajor UK supermarket chain retailer stocking One Water products.
- Co-opcoreUK supermarket and convenience retailer stocking One Water products.
- OcadocoreOnline UK supermarket platform selling One Water products.
- Holland & BarrettcoreHealth food retailer chain stocking One Water products.
- Starbucks UKcoreCoffee chain retailer offering One Water products at UK locations.
- Cotswold FayrecoreWholesale partner supplying One Water to artisan and independent retailers.
- BidfoodcoreLarge foodservice wholesale distributor supplying One Water to commercial catering businesses.
- BrakescoreFoodservice wholesale distributor supplying One Water to hospitality sector.
- LWC DrinkscoreWholesale drinks distributor supplying One Water to retailers and venues.
- VeoliaminorWaste management company operating Southwark Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that processes recyclable materials including One Water's rPET bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
One Water competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Buxton: Nestlé Waters' UK spring water brand sold across UK grocery and hospitality. Comparable as a UK spring water CPG competing for retail and foodservice contracts.
- Evian: Global premium natural mineral water brand owned by Danone. Comparable as a bottled water brand pursuing premium positioning and ESG/sustainability marketing globally.
- San Pellegrino: Nestlé-owned premium sparkling mineral water with strong hospitality presence. Comparable as a premium sparkling bottled water brand sold via retail and on-trade channels.
- Volvic: Danone-owned natural mineral water with strong UK retail presence. Comparable as a bottled still/sparkling water brand competing for the same shelf space and consumer occasions.
- Nestlé Waters: Global bottled water division of Nestlé encompassing Buxton, Perrier, S.Pellegrino, and Pure Life. Comparable as the category leader One Water competes against on shelf and in foodservice procurement.
- Danone Waters: Global bottled water division of Danone encompassing Evian, Volvic, and Badoit. Comparable as a multinational incumbent that sets competitive dynamics in UK bottled water retail.
Direct peers
- Belu Water: UK ethical bottled water brand that donates all profits to WaterAid via its parent charity. Closest direct peer: same UK focus, similar charity-linked profit model, multi-format packaging, and foodservice/retail distribution.
- Highland Spring: Largest UK-owned spring water brand, bottled in Scotland and stocked across UK multiples and foodservice. Directly comparable as a UK-produced spring water CPG brand with national retail distribution.
Emerging players
- Aqua Carpatica: Premium Romanian natural mineral water brand with sustainability credentials (Nitro-30 fill). Comparable as an emerging premium/natural mineral water brand emphasising source purity and sustainability.
Others
- Innocent Drinks: Coca-Cola-owned UK ethical drinks brand with founding B Corp credentials. Comparable as an ethical UK CPG beverage brand using sustainability storytelling and charity partnerships to differentiate in mainstream retail.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
One Water social profiles
Digital presenceOne Water financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
One Water leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
One Water funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
One Water M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about One Water
What does One Water do?
One Water produces and sells still and sparkling spring water sourced from natural springs in the UK and Ireland in five packaging formats (100% recycled rPET plastic bottles, aluminium cans, Tetra Pak cartons, glass bottles, and refillable aluminium bottles). All products are 100% recyclable. The company operates as a social enterprise, with profits from bottled water sales donated to The One Foundation to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Is One Water a public or private company?
One Water is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was One Water founded?
One Water was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is One Water based?
One Water is headquartered in Richmond, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does One Water make money?
One revenue line is on record: bottled Water Retail Sales.
Who are One Water's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Buxton, Evian, San Pellegrino, Volvic, Nestlé Waters and Danone Waters. Direct peers are Belu Water and Highland Spring. Aqua Carpatica is listed as an emerging player. Innocent Drinks is listed as an others.
Does One Water have an API?
No public API is recorded for One Water.