Assembly Line

How sparkling water is made

Carbonation works best near freezing, because cold water holds far more gas than warm water.

stations
6
things upstream
60
raw sources
19
steps from the ground
9

The short version

Sparkling water is plain water that has been chilled and forced to dissolve carbon dioxide gas under pressure. A little mineral salt is often added to mimic natural spring water and offset the acidity of the dissolved gas. It is sealed straight away so the gas stays dissolved until the cap comes off.

  1. Filter the source water

    Water is filtered and treated so nothing in it changes the taste. Mineral waters may instead come direct from a spring.

    Goes in
    Water

  2. Dose in mineral salts

    Many brands add sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate or similar salts. They imitate the flavor of natural mineral water and offset the acid that forms when carbon dioxide dissolves.

    Goes in
    Baking soda

  3. Chill almost to freezing

    Cold water dissolves much more gas, so the water is cooled to just above its freezing point before carbonating.

  4. Inject pressurized gas

    Carbon dioxide is injected into the water under pressure. Higher pressure and lower temperature push more gas into the liquid. Some of the gas reacts with the water to form weak carbonic acid, which gives a slight tartness.

    Goes in
    Carbon dioxide

  5. Fill under pressure

    Bottles and cans are filled and sealed immediately so the pressure stays up. Opening the container releases the pressure and the dissolved gas forms bubbles.

    Goes in
    Aluminum canGlass bottlePlastic bottle

  6. Check and crate

    Fill levels, seals and pressure are checked on the line. Good containers are grouped into trays or cases for shipping.

End of the lineSparkling water

Worth repeating

  • Joseph Priestley discovered a way to make carbonated water in 1767 by hanging a bowl of water above a beer vat in Leeds.
  • Sparkling mineral water is slightly more erosive to teeth than still water, but about 1% as corrosive as soft drinks.
  • The first large factory for artificial mineral water was built in 1781 by Thomas Henry of Manchester.

Back to the ground

Follow every input upstream and sparkling water starts as these 19 raw sources.

WaterTronaLimestoneRock saltNatural gasCornSilica sandAirCrude oilCoalSugarcaneSugar beetBauxiteSoybeansRapeseedClayTitanium oreIron oreSulfur

Everything it is made of See it on the map

Open the whole family tree

Keep walking

Container ship 9 stations · 23 raw sources Condom 9 stations · 13 raw sources Down 5 stations Airbag 8 stations · 25 raw sources Ceramic floor tile 6 stations · 19 raw sources Blue agave 5 stations

Surprise meConnect this to something else

Sources

Cite this page: "How sparkling water is made." Assembly Line, 2026-11-03. https://assemblyline.org/make/sparkling-water

Spot a mistake on this page?