How the water is obtained from the belly of Mother Earth

In the south of the Most district, above the shallow valley formed by Srpina creek, the Bečov municipality spreads on the sloppy terrain. To the North from Bečov, in the flat land of Srpina valley, Zaječice hamlet is situated, as is that of Milá on the south-east. Administratively, both hamlets are municipalities belonging to Bečov. In terms of orogrpahy, Bečov and the neighbourhood thereof are part of Měrunice hill range which in turn is part of the south-western part of the Bohemian Mid-Mountain Range.

Zaječice with the vicinity thereof rank among the driest areas in Bohemia, with an average rainfall not exceeding 450 millimetres, and 300 millimetres in summer. Average annual temperature stands at 8,5 °C. The prevailing soil type is black earth. Consistent with the warm and dry climate is invariably the prairie vegetation preserved within the Most region - in its original rich patchy communities – exactly in the vicinity of Bečov, and a few other locations. A scientifically validated opinion exists that – despite all the climate changes occurring in the past – there were patches within the said area that were never covered with forests.

In these almost extreme conditions, Zaječice bitter water (Zaječická hořká voda) is collected. Being a true and genuine bitter water, it is unique and particularly valuable world-wide with its content of magnesium and of sulphated compounds.

The process of the water becoming enriched with soluble salts comprises a more than just pure rock leaching; there moreover a complex chemical reaction involved, including the significant factor of time.

The “raw water” is – in accordance with parameters under observation – meticulously selected and transported for further processing. The process comprises several cycles such as accumulation, thickening to the required concentration of mineral salts within a given volume, and sedimentation in sedimentation tanks. Another step is a multi-stage filtration. Thereafter, the product of Zaječice bitter water is filled in bottles with no chemical preservatives added whatsoever.