Claims by the makers of Akuna Springs that their bottled water provides "incredible health benefits" have been called into question by an independent water analysis that shows it is no healthier than tap water.

Key points: Independent water analysis shows Akuna Springs water it is no healthier than tap water

Independent water analysis shows Akuna Springs water it is no healthier than tap water This is not consistent with claims in it's promotional material

This is not consistent with claims in it's promotional material The bottled water was also shown had higher-than-usual levels of silver

The tests, commissioned by the ABC, show while Akuna Springs bottled water is within safe drinking water guidelines, its characteristics are not fully consistent with the advertised "natural, artesian, mineral-enriched water" it promotes.

The ABC also confirmed that parent company NT Beverages, which was controversially awarded $10 million of taxpayer funds earlier this year, is not a member of the peak body that regulates bottled water and therefore is not audited for quality and has no obligation to meet industry standards.

The NT Beverages website was deactivated last week shortly after the company was sent questions from the ABC about its water quality. However, the site was reinstated overnight.

The company had claimed its water was from a volcanic rock aquifer that was "enriched with vital organic minerals that enhance the experience of taste while supplying incredible health benefits with every sip".

One webpage claimed the water was bottled at the source and on another, that the water was treated at its East Arm bottling plant.

Griffith University water scientist Dr Frederic Leusch reviewed the test results conducted by international water testing company Intertek.

"From the data provided, it is difficult to say whether this is tap or non-tap water," he said.

"Water generally is good for you. But from the chemical results we've seen, that water isn't better or worse than tap water in that area of the world."

NT Beverages was awarded $10 million of taxpayer money earlier this year through the NT Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) before it had a formal water extraction licence in place.

It was discovered earlier this year that NT Beverages had misidentified the aquifer it draws its water from in promotional materials and was also recently found to have set up a charitable foundation with the stated aim of donating to "those in need" — that was later shown not to have made a single donation in two years.

The water test samples raise new questions about the company's advertising and what due diligence was undertaken before the IDF awarded it $10 million.

NT Government officials and Infrastructure Capital Group — the company that selects investments for the IDF — declined to answer those questions.

On its website NT Beverages had claimed Akuna Springs water held a range of health benefits, but the page has been inactive since last week. ( Supplied: NT Beverages )

Higher levels of silver than normal: water scientist

In Australia, bottled water is not regulated under Australian municipal drinking water guidelines and is instead considered a "food product".

Bottled water safety guidelines have been established by the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI), a division of the Australian Beverages Council, but the group confirmed NT Beverages is not a member of the industry body and is therefore not subject to its regulations, audits or testing.

"The strict ABWI Model Code creates a framework for the safe bottling of water and supports the manufacture of high-quality products," Australian Beverages Council chief executive Geoff Parker said.

"[It] places additional requirements above those detailed in the Food Standards Code … and ABWI members are required to pass stringent audits."

The Akuna Springs water analysis found the water was safe to drink, but showed higher-than-usual levels of silver, which could be from a disinfectant agent, Dr Leusch said.

The Australia Drinking Water Guidelines used by municipalities across the country states that "silver is not recommended for use as a disinfectant" due to a lack of reliable evidence that it effectively kills micro-organisms and its unknown health effects.

The ABWI's guidelines state that the "maximum contaminant level (of) inorganic compounds" of silver should be no more than .025 mg/L.

The tests showed Akuna Springs had exceeded that limit at .030 mg/L.

"[The silver reading] is more elevated than you would expect," Dr Leusch said.

"But it is below a concentration that would raise health concerns."

Dr Leusch said that the mineral composition listed on the Akuna Springs bottle including calcium and magnesium was remarkably accurate, indicating a water source that does not change much.

"I was quite surprised to see how spot on and accurate the results were," he said.

"But that means they're dealing with water that doesn't change quality very often, which means a large aquifer or tap water."

NT Beverages general manager Brett Lindsay did not respond to questions about the quality of Akuna Springs water or what processes or safety guidelines it followed.

Claims changed on website

NT Beverages updated its website sometime on October 16 with changes to its original water claims. The reference to a volcanic rock aquifer has been removed, and the correct aquifer has been listed.

Previous contradictory statements about the source of the water have also been removed, but the updated site claims it tests its water "on a regular basis to understand its content — being entirely natural, this can vary slightly from season to season, as do all things pure [and] unadulterated".

However, another part of the website claims the water is filtered and treated at the bottling plant before being bottled.

Dr Leusch found that the Akuna Springs water analysis indicated water that does not change quality often, suggesting a large aquifer like the one they claim to be drawing from or tap water.

The Akuna Springs website remains inactive.