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                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.1(a)
    

                        [ROBINSON & COLE LLP LETTERHEAD]


   
                               February 27, 1998
    
   
Crystal Springs of Seattle, Inc.
Crystal Springs Drinking Water, Inc.
    
Spring Water, Inc.
Crystal Spring Acquisition, Inc.
Mountain Fresh Acquisition Corp.
Cullyspring Water Co., Inc.
Sparkling Spring Water Group Limited
Sparkling Spring Water Limited
Water Jug Enterprises Limited
Withey's Water Softening & Purification Ltd.
Aqua Care Water Softening & Purification Inc.
High Valley Water Limited
3003969 Nova Scotia Limited
Canadian Springs Water Company Limited
Sparkling Spring Water (UK) Limited
Aquaporte (UK) Limited
Marlborough Employment Limited
Water at Work Limited
Natural Water Limited
One Landmark Square
Stamford, Connecticut 06901

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   
         We refer to the offer of Sparkling Spring Water Group Limited (the
"Issuer") and Crystal Springs of Seattle, Inc., Crystal Springs Drinking Water,
Inc., Spring Water, Inc., Crystal Spring Acquisition, Inc., Mountain Fresh
Acquisition Corp., Cullyspring Water Co., Inc., Sparkling Spring Water Limited,
Water Jug Enterprises Limited, Withey's Water Softening & Purification, Ltd.,
Aqua Care Water Softening & Purification Inc., High Valley Water Limited,
3003969 Nova Scotia Limited, Canadian Springs Water Company Limited, Sparkling
Spring Water (UK) Limited, Aquaporte (UK) Limited, Marlborough Employment
Limited, Water at Work Limited and Natural Water Limited (the "Guarantors") to
exchange $1,000, aggregate principal amount of 11-1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007 of the Issuer (the "Exchange Notes") (together with the related
guarantees of the Guarantors), for each $1,000 aggregate principal of the
outstanding unregistered 11-1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 of the
Issuer (together with the related guarantees of the Guarantors), which Exchange
Notes (and the related guarantees of the Guarantors) are the subject of the
Registration Statement on Form F-4, to which this opinion is an Exhibit, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") (the "Registration Statement").
    

   
         In connection herewith, we have examined the Registration Statement,
the Indenture, dated as of November 19, 1997 among the Issuer, the Guarantors
and Bankers Trust Company ("Trustee") as supplemented by the First Supplemental
Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998 among the Trustee,
Crystal Springs of Seattle, Inc. and Crystal Springs Drinking Water, Inc., and
the Exchange Notes (and the related guarantees of the Guarantors included
therewith) (the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the related guarantees of the
Exchange Notes of the Guarantors are collectively referred to herein as the
"Documents"), together with such corporate records, certificates and other
documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
    

                  On the basis of the foregoing examination, we advise you that,
upon the (i) Registration Statement becoming effective under the Act, and (ii)
qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, in our opinion the guarantee of the Exchange Notes by each Guarantor
will have been duly authorized and will constitute a valid and binding
obligation of such Guarantor, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general principles of equity (regardless of whether such principles are
considered in a proceeding in equity or at action at law).
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         The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York
and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

         The foregoing opinions are subject to the qualification that the
enforceability of certain rights, remedies and waivers provided in the Documents
may be unavailable or limited by certain laws and judicial decisions. In respect
of such qualification, however, we are of the opinion that such laws and
judicial decisions do not, subject to the other exceptions and limitations
contained in this letter, make the remedies generally afforded by the Documents
inadequate to permit enforcement of the indebtedness arising thereunder. We note
that the provisions of any Document that permit any person thereunder to take
action or make determinations, or to benefit from indemnities and similar
undertakings of the Issuer or any Guarantor, may be subject to a requirement
that such action be taken or such determinations be made, and that any action or
inaction by such person which may give rise to a request for payment under such
an undertaking be taken or not taken, on a reasonable basis and in good faith.

   
         We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an
Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus included therein. In giving this
opinion, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the Rules and
Regulations of the Commission.
    

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            ROBINSON & COLE LLP



                                            By: /s/ Richard A. Krantz
                                                -------------------------------
                                                 Richard A. Krantz