What historical reliance laid the foundation for the modern German preference for bottled mineral water?

Reliance on natural mineral springs for water perceived as safer than untreated local sources

The roots of the modern sparkling water habit trace back to a period before highly effective, centralized water purification systems were common throughout Germany. During this earlier era, citizens depended heavily on natural mineral springs as their primary source of drinking water. This reliance stemmed from the perception that water sourced directly from these springs was cleaner and inherently safer than the alternatives, which often consisted of local, untreated supplies. Although infrastructure improvements rendered this practical necessity obsolete, the strong association between bottled mineral water and notions of purity and tradition was firmly established in the national psyche, creating the bedrock for today's preference for effervescent beverages.