Demand for bottled water increasing

Processing plants mushroom as majority of water supply is contaminated with arsenic and bacteria

With increasing population and rapid urbanisation, the demand for clean drinking water is increasing day by day as people prefer to drink bottled water.

People living in urban areas have become more aware of contamination of drinking water and this has resulted in surge of bottled water sale. The demand for bottled waters of various brands has increased in the past few years. Bottled water plants have been set up in different parts of the country which indicates the increase in demand.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan comes at 80th place among 122 countries in drinking water quality. Majority of water supply is contaminated with arsenic and bacteria. Per capita bottled water consumption in Pakistan is five litres as compared to three in Bangladesh.

“We have noticed a mushroom growth of filtered water plants that is why we have decided to frame a policy to ensure water quality,” said an official at Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.