<P> In Europe, more than one - third of recovered PET plastic is used to produce polyester fibers, and another quarter is used in the production of preformed plastic containers--such as egg cartons, fruit boxes, and other plastic beverage bottles . </P> <P> On average, it takes 1.32 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water . This includes 1 liter of ingredient water and 0.32 liters of water used in facility processes such as treatment, bottling, and maintenance . Small pack facilities (facilities that package water in containers between 8 oz. and 2.5 gallons) use the least amount of water (1.26 liters per 1 liter), followed by mixed packaging facilities (1.46 liters per 1 liter). Facilities that package water for home and office delivery in sizes of 2.5 gallons to 5 gallons use the most water (1.56 liters per 1 liter). </P> <P> Bottled water has lower water usage than bottled soft drinks, which average 2.02 liters per 1 liter, as well as beer (4 liters per 1 liter) and wine (4.74 liters per 1 liter). The larger per - liter water consumption of these drinks can be attributed to additional ingredients and production processes, such as flavor mixing and carbonization for soft drinks and fermentation for beer and wine . In the United States, bottled water production represents 0.011% of annual water consumption . </P> <P> Critics of bottled water argue that the industry should take in to account not just water used in its production and packaging process, but the total water footprint of its supply chain, which includes water used in the production of its packaging . </P>

Where do bottled water companies get their water