One Water

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Brentford FCflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 July 2025Official 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Reforestation 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne 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 FreecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel retail partner distributing One Water products at airport locations.
• Sainsbury'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK supermarket chain retailer stocking One Water products.
• Co-opcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK supermarket and convenience retailer stocking One Water products.
• OcadocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline UK supermarket platform selling One Water products.
• Holland & BarrettcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealth food retailer chain stocking One Water products.
• Starbucks UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoffee chain retailer offering One Water products at UK locations.
• Cotswold FayrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale partner supplying One Water to artisan and independent retailers.
• BidfoodcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge foodservice wholesale distributor supplying One Water to commercial catering businesses.
• BrakescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoodservice wholesale distributor supplying One Water to hospitality sector.
• LWC DrinkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale drinks distributor supplying One Water to retailers and venues.
• VeoliaminorOthersWaste 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

Broad 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/onewateruk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onewateruk
• Instagraminstagram.com/onewateruk
• TikToktiktok.com/@onewateruk
• Xx.com/Onewateruk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about One Water