Research proves that you may survive approximately 8 to 21 days without food but you will not be able to go more than 3 days without water. Without doubt, water is one of the most important constituents of your diet. From regulating body temperature to flushing waste from the body, water does it all. Moreover, it also plays a significant role in improving digestion. It delivers oxygen throughout the body, boosts skin health and also lubricates the joints. The list of benefits that water has to offer are endless. However, it is important that the water that is being consumed is safe and healthy.
There are numerous brands in the country that claim to provide safe and healthy drinking water but it is necessary to clarify. We blindly trust the bottled water brands that we find in the market but for the sake of your health, one must find out! Here is a list of brands that are available in the market but are not safe and healthy for the human body. Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) submitted a report declaring 22 brands supplying water that is not safe for drinking. 180 samples were collected from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan, Mianwali, Karachi, Tandojam, Badin, Quetta, Loralai, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit.
Bottled Water containing Sodium
Approximately fifteen brands were found to have extreme high levels of sodium which made them unfit and unhealthy to consume. Brands such as Pure, Hunza, Hidrade, Blue Plus, Sunlay, Aqua King, Spring Fresh Life, UF Pur Edge, Douro, Dropice, Puricana Mineral, Drops, Best Natural, Al Barkah Water and Koyo had higher levels of sodium than the required amounts. The sodium water quality standard is approximately 50mg/L but these brands were found to have sodium level ranging from 60 to 65 mg/L.
Bottled Water containing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
One brand called ‘Drops’ was considered unsafe because it was found to have higher levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The water quality standard for total dissolved solids is 500 mg/L but this particular brand had approximately 629 mg/L.
Bottled Water containing higher levels of arsenic
One of the water brands named Pure Nature was found to have higher levels of arsenic in it which made it unhealthy to drink. The water quality standard for arsenic is 10 µg/L which is permissible. However, this particular brand consisted of 24 µg/L arsenic.
Bottled Water containing higher levels of Potassium
One of the water brands named Pure was found unsafe because it contained extreme levels of potassium which were much higher than the required value. 10 mg/L potassium is permissible by the water quality standard for potassium but this particular brand consisted of 11 mg/L potassium which made it unhealthy and unsafe for drinking.
Biologically contaminated
Other than the presence of excess minerals, some of the water brands were found to be biologically contaminated which made them unsafe to drink. This list consisted of a total of six water bottle brands that included Alkaline Water, Al-Umer, BROOK, McWay Water, Masafi and Aqua Best. Brands like Drop ice, Butt, and Effort were also found to be contaminated that may cause diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, diarhheao and typhoid.
Such water brands are a huge risk to the health of the public as safe drinking water is one of the prerequisites of good health. These brands containing higher levels of sodium, potassium, arsenic and other dissolved solids can cause a lot of diseases at once. They are not safe for the skin as it can result in various skin disorders. Moreover, it is also not safe for people with diabetes. Other than this, these brands can cause hypertension, kidney problems and also heart issues.
Safe bottled water brands in Pakistan
Out of 170 brands that are analysed by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), 22 brands were considered unsafe for drinking because either they were chemically unsafe or biologically contaminated. Either ways, those brands were not health to be consumed by the general public. It may be disappointing that there were so many brands that were considered safe previously and we used to drink them without wondering. However, there is a long list that has been approved by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). This means that these bottled water brands are considered to be pure which can be consumed as it will not affect the health of the people.
These brands include OraPure, Dew drop, Premium spring, OPAL+, Elim, Aqua Emporium, Soloney, Marwa Water, Pure Sip. Shaafi, Ripple water, Pacific Pure, Hydra, New Natural, Freshly, Clear, Sujo, Springta, Murree Sparkletts, Seven springs, Himalaya, Oxford Pure Water. Masafi, Zam Zam, Pure Next, Gourmet, Pak Aqua, Aqua life, Dasani, Aquafina, Aqua health, Riva, Alfa, Water Plus, Pakola, Vey, Sprinkle+, Nestle Pure Life, Sufi, Marine Blue, and Pure Flo.
This means that there are still a lot of bottled water brands that are available in the market which are safe and healthy to consume. It is important that you memorize some of these names so you know which one to buy next time. The water quality is continuing to decrease due to increasing biological contamination from human waste. Other than this, increasing level of chemical and agricultural waste has also contaminated the drinking water. Moreover, it is also very disappointing that it is because of the deteriorating water quality that people have shifted to bottled water. A cross section of the citizens have been forced to buy bottled water because of the poor quality water and these bottled water brands also fail to meet the standards that are set by the relevant authorities.
