Water Alert: 25 Pakistani Brands Contaminated, Health Risk

News Desk

Islamabad: The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has declared 25 bottled water brands unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination, raising serious concerns about water safety in the country.

During the third quarter of 2023 (July to September), PCRWR collected 197 samples of bottled and mineral water from 20 cities across Pakistan. Laboratory tests comparing the results with Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) guidelines revealed that 25 brands failed to meet safety standards.

The PCRWR has not released the complete list of all unsafe brands but confirmed that it is coordinating with PSQCA and other authorities to take regulatory action against the offending companies.

“Even bottled water, often considered safer than tap water, may pose health risks. Consumers must ensure they use PSQCA-certified brands,” PCRWR officials warned.

The study identified specific safety issues in various brands:

High sodium levels: 19 brands including Qudrat Water, Natural, Premium Safa Purified Water, Z Pure Drinking Water, Best Natural, Klear, Sona Water Life Pure Drinking Water, Pure and Healthy Alkaline Water, Aqua 100, Elstein, Aab-e-Haram, Khizer Pure Water, Fine, Barsay, Aab-e-Muskan, Aab-e-Hayat, Indus, Oslo, and Fresh Smart Pure Water.

Excess total dissolved solids (TDS): Three brands – Khizer Pure Water, Fine, and Indus.

High potassium levels: Imperial brand.

Bacterial contamination: Eight brands – Ice Well, Clear, Best Natural, Imperial, Aab-e-Hayat, Pure Life, Aqua Gold, and Spring Pure Water.

PCRWR urged the public to consult its detailed report on the status of bottled water brands, available on the official website: www.pcrwr.gov.pk.

Authorities stressed the importance of consumer awareness and recommended that people only consume water from brands certified by the PSQCA to avoid potential health hazards.