Concerns over mineral water plants as consumers face health risks

Metro India News | NAGARKURNOOL

With the government struggling to ensure an adequate supply of safe drinking water, many people have increasingly turned to purified and packaged drinking water for their daily needs. However, this growing dependence has allegedly enabled several mineral water plant operators to run businesses without mandatory approvals, flouting regulations and charging arbitrary prices under the guise of supplying purified water. Residents have alleged that many water plant operators have formed informal syndicates in the district, allowing them to fix prices and collect excessive charges from consumers.

Despite government assurances of providing safe drinking water through public schemes, including Mission Bhagiratha, many citizens claim that the supply remains inconsistent, forcing households in district headquarters, towns, and even remote villages to rely on privately supplied drinking water. Water is reportedly delivered daily in plastic cans and tanks transported by small vehicles, but concerns have been raised over hygiene standards. According to local reports, many plastic containers are reused for years without proper cleaning.

Medical professionals warn that contaminated water, sold as purified drinking water, may contain algae, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms, increasing the risk of kidney-related illnesses among consumers. Under existing regulations, every drinking water plant is required to maintain prescribed purification standards, including Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ultraviolet (UV) treatment systems. Operators are also required to obtain certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), along with licenses from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and local trade authorities.

 However, there are reportedly no official records indicating that water plants in the district possess all the required licenses. Residents have questioned why the district administration has not taken stricter action against unauthorized operators. Medical experts have expressed concern that the distribution of substandard or adulterated drinking water without adherence to safety standards could be contributing to the rise in kidney-related ailments. Amid growing public concern over increasing cases of kidney disease in the district, many have called for a comprehensive assessment of drinking water quality.