Shortly after the launch of Essentia fortified water in 1998, President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Uptain realized that the consumer market was not ready for it.

New York-based functional water brand Wat-aah! announced its role as presenting sponsor of the "Songs for a Healthier America" program, which will be produced by Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH), and Washington, D.C.-based The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), whose honorary chairwoman is First Lady Michelle Obama.

For the first time in more than a decade, Danone Group’s Evian Natural Spring Water redesigned its bottle.

New York Spring Water launched a line of zero-calorie, functional waters called Vbee!.

Klarbrunn Inc., owned and manufactured by Wis-Pak Inc., launched Vita Ice flavored sparkling waters fortified with vitamins and antioxidants.

A rebounding economy as well as convenience and a healthy image have helped bottled water sales recover from years of decline in 2008 and 2009, according to Chicago-based Mintel’s U.S. “Bottled Water” report released in March.

Bothell, Wash.-based Essentia Water kicked off its Super Summer Hydration Giveaway on June 21. The 50-day online promotion runs through Aug. 9 and is hosted at www.essentiawater.com/super and on Essentia’s Facebook page.

This summer, Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, a brand of Nestlé Waters North America, will pay tribute to Andy Warhol with a series of limited-edition bottles inspired by the legendary pop artist.

When co-founders Martin Chalk and Peter Maher started developing their vision for New York-based Balance, their goal wasn’t to create a beverage company — it was simply to bring the homeopathic benefits of Australian flower essences to consumers, Chalk says.

Fiji Water Co., part of the Roll Global LLC family of companies, launched a custom, reusable straw for its bottled water.