ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has declared 29 bottled and mineral water brands unsafe for human consumption after they failed to meet prescribed quality standards.

The findings were published as part of the council’s quarterly monitoring programme, which assesses the quality and safety of bottled water available in markets across Pakistan.

PCRWR tested 230 bottled-water samples collected from 20 major cities to determine whether the products complied with established quality requirements.

Bacterial Contamination Found in 22 Brands

One of the most serious concerns identified during the latest testing was bacterial contamination.

According to the PCRWR report, samples from 22 bottled water brands contained bacterial contamination, raising concerns about the safety of products being sold to consumers.

Contaminated drinking water can pose health risks, particularly for children, elderly people and individuals with weakened immunity.

The findings highlight the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and quality controls throughout the bottled-water production, storage and distribution process.

Excessive Sodium Detected

The report also identified excessive sodium levels in nine bottled water brands.

PCRWR said the prescribed sodium limit is 50 parts per million (ppm), while samples from several brands exceeded the permitted level.

Elevated levels of certain minerals can indicate that bottled water does not comply with the required quality standards and may raise concerns for consumers who regularly depend on bottled water for drinking.

Some Brands Exceed TDS Limit

The council also found that some bottled-water brands had total dissolved solids (TDS) levels above 500 ppm.

TDS refers to the total amount of dissolved substances, including minerals and salts, present in water.

Several brands were found to have more than one quality violation, meaning some products failed multiple testing requirements rather than just a single standard.

Testing Conducted Across 20 Major Cities

The latest assessment was conducted under a quarterly monitoring programme directed by the federal government.

The programme is designed to regularly evaluate bottled and mineral water sold in Pakistan and identify products that may pose potential risks to consumers.

By collecting samples from 20 major cities, PCRWR sought to provide a broader assessment of the quality of bottled water available across different parts of the country.

The latest findings underline concerns about whether all bottled-water products available in the market consistently meet prescribed safety and quality standards.

PCRWR Advises Consumers to Check Water Quality

Following the findings, PCRWR has advised consumers to be more careful when purchasing bottled water.

Consumers have been encouraged to check product quality and relevant testing reports before buying bottled or mineral water.

The council also advised people to avoid products that fail to meet the prescribed quality standards.

Consumers who regularly purchase bottled water should pay attention to product information, packaging and available quality certifications rather than assuming that all bottled-water brands meet the same safety standards.

Health Concerns Highlight Need for Monitoring

The findings have renewed attention on the importance of regular monitoring of bottled drinking water in Pakistan.

Bottled water is widely consumed by people who consider it a safer alternative to other sources of drinking water. However, the PCRWR findings suggest that some products may fail to meet required standards.

The detection of bacterial contamination, excessive sodium and elevated TDS levels demonstrates why continued testing and stronger quality control are important for protecting public health.

PCRWR’s quarterly monitoring programme is intended to help identify problematic products and alert consumers to potential risks.