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= Acqua Amata = Amata is an Italian brand of oligomineral water created by the Apulian bottling company Castello S.r.l. It is marketed in three versions: natural, sparkling and slightly sparkling, and distributed in large-scale distribution channels, hospitality industry and traditional retail.

Mineral water
The production plant is located in Casamassima (BA), (Bari), but the source is Castello, a thousand-year old spring located in the heart of the Apulian Murgia, at a depth of about 650 meters, running through the territories of Cassano delle Murge, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Adelfia, Casamassima and Sammichele di Bari and reaching up to Gioia del Colle. The surrounding landscape is characterized by nearly untouched nature made up of woods, olive groves and diverse varieties of local vegetation.

The history
In 1986, Giovanni Antonio Mazzone, a small landowner and winemaker, originally from Turi (Bari), purchased new farmland in the Murgia area of Bari in order to expand his business.

In 1990, while searching for water to improve the irrigation of his fields, he fortuitously discovered an underground spring about 600 meters deep in the Castello area. Hence, the idea of using this mineral water source for commercial purposes was birthed.

In 1993, a meticulous hydrogeological study of the basin, depth, rock and age of the water was first carried out, then research started with the permission and collaboration of the Regione Puglia, which demonstrated the microbiological properties of the water and concluded that its purity does not undergo quality changes throughout the year.

The beginnings
In 1996, the bottling company was founded. Two years later, with the Decree of 17 February 1998 from the General Director of the Department for Prevention of the Ministero della Sanità the official recognition arrived: “''“...The water called Amata which flows from the spring Castello is hereby recognized as natural mineral water, pursuant to Article 1 of Legislative Decree no. 105 of 25 January 1992, and under the research permit of the same name located in the territory of the municipalities of Adelfia and Casamassima (Bari).”

In 2001, the production bottling plant of approximately 4,000 square meters became operational.

Today
Acqua Amata sells about 100 million bottles annually (2021) and has been selected as one of Forbes 100 Italian Excellencies for 2021 [3].

The production cycle
The mineral water is taken from the source at a depth of about 600 meters and is directed to the plant by way of stainless-steel conduits in order to maintain the chemical composition and purity of the water. The water flows from these stainless-steel conduits to rPET bottles without any human contact. Employees merely supervise this passage while monitoring its quality parameters. The bottles are preformed and shaped in Italy through a stretch-blow molding process subject to strict controls. Bottling takes place in a protected environment with filtered air and is controlled by experts; the bottles are closed, labelled and imprinted with production batch and expiration date according to HACCP. regulations. Products undergo quality control, both in internal laboratories and at the Università di Bari Bureau of Hygiene as well as the Department of Chemical Sciences at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.

Certifications and international standards
Acqua Amata has obtained the following quality certifications:


 * IFS Food (International Featured Standard);
 * ISO 14001.

Environmental Impact Reducti
The plant is equipped with a photovoltaic system that operates with reduced energy consumption and uses monitoring systems for rational control of water and energy withdrawals. The recycling of waste materials has reached a 99% waste recovery.

Classification: Oligomineral water.

The definition
Natural Mineral Water according to the provisions of L.D. 105/92 as amended. Classification: Oligomineral water.

Microbiological characteristics
Microbiologically pure at the origin as established by the Legislative Decree no.2996 of 17/2/1998 of the Ministry of Health.

Sponsorships, partnerships and awards
Since the 2021/2022 season (with renewed agreement for the 2022/2023 football season), Acqua Amata is the main sponsor of S.S.C. Bari and its logo is also present on the official jerseys of the Apulian team [5].

Acqua Amata is the winner of the international “Elected Product of the Year” award for 2022 in the “Waters” category [6].

In 2021 the company Castello S.r.l. was selected among Forbes 100 Italian Excellencies. .