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You might just be drinking toxic bottled water in Vijayawada

  • There are only 20 authorised water packaging units in Vijayawada.
  • The unauthorised ones use and reuse polycarbonate containers and other plastic materials, which are not hygienic.
  • The containers can be recycled only upto 25 times.
vijayawada water pollution mineral water bottle unhygienic

When the temperatures are soaring as high as 40 degree Celsius, how would it feel if we told you that the bottled water that you are drinking is toxic! Indeed not a happy feeling, especially when you need it to beat the temperature. Food safety officials say that bottling units and packaging sections are increasingly violating food safety standards.

For instance, the polycarbonate containers and other plastic materials that are used for packaging and transporting mineral water are hardly recycled or changed. Moreover, they are exposed to direct sunlight and heat, which encourages the growth of bacteria. Having said that, it is also important to understand that both the materials used for storing water are extremely unhygienic. Speaking to the New Indian Express, an authorised water supplier says, "The containers cannot be recycled for more than 25 to 30 times, which happens in three months period. By this time, the containers get mangled or damaged and we are forced to use new containers.”

Meanwhile, the food control board claims that only those companies that adhere to the food regulation are given the BIS registration with the revenue department. 

An official said, “As many as 20 water bottling units in the Krishna district have the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) registration with the revenue department. Storing water in plastic bottles for longer period leads to the formation of bacteria and fungus and it will contaminate bottled water. Especially, if we use non-reusable bottle for longer periods it may even lead to cancer."

As per sources, supplied mineral water should have levels between 7.5 and 8.5 and the total dissolved solvation should be below 50. In Vijayawada, only 20 packaged drinking water units are registered with the revenue department. But, they are not enough to suffice the demands of 1.048 million population of Vijayawada. Thus, unofficial units mushroom within the city premises.

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