Unfit for human consumption

The general perception about bottled water in Pakistan is that it's comparatively safer and cleaner than what is supplied through taps. This assumption has led to exorbitant price increases across various brands in the past few years, with prices rising as much as 150 per cent. Bottled water companies brazenly sell their customers an illusion of health-consciousness, but not all companies can be trusted blindly. On the directives of the federal government, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) collected samples of 230 bottled or mineral water brands and tested them against quality standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). As many as 29 bottled water brands were found to be unfit for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.

PCRWR has been directed to conduct quarterly monitoring of commercially available bottled and mineral water brands and to publicise its findings. While it is exceedingly important to facilitate public awareness regarding food and drink brands, another important measure in a comprehensive plan of action that is currently being neglected is concrete legal action against brands selling subpar or harmful water. Many brands were found to have excessive total dissolved solids (TDS) beyond the permissible limit of 500 ppm. These solids often include dissolved metals that enter the water via pollution or even broken-down algae and plant materials.

Currently, PCRWR has advised the public to consult its water quality report before purchasing bottled water - which is also where its jurisdiction ends. It is incumbent on the government to take action that extends beyond issuing directives, since this is a significantly concerning issue regarding public health and safety. The government's job is not just to disseminate information but primarily to shut down commercial enterprise that is acting against the public interest in any capacity.