What's with the fizz? (in mineral water) joe & mr. san pellegrino Rainwater and meltwater enters the subsoil via crevices, cracks, or pores. Depending on the route it takes, it re-emerges as "ordinary" drinking water or as "fizzy" mineral water. The residence time of the water in the rocky subsoil, the depth of penetration, and the pressure and temperature conditions are decisive factors. Where groundwater or crevice water encounters magmatic carbon-dioxide emissions at great depths, it is enriched and naturally carbonated water results. Depending on the rock through which it flows, it dissolves solids such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, chloride or sulphates and emerges, usually after years or decades, as mineral water. So quench your thirst to your heart's content with this healthy water, which is also used for drinking cures and carbonated baths! << in the beginning.. Got a stupid question for Joe? Email it to him! Content & Photos © 2004 Laura Laytham, laura@girlsaresmarter.com.