‘Only 4.4% of urban households in Bihar use bottled water’

Bihar State Pollution Control Board chairman D K Shukla tells TOI’s B K Mishra in an interview that although the consumption of bottled water has increased in the state, it remains lower than in many other parts of the country. Excerpts:

What is the status of water packaging industries in Bihar?

Bihar has a growing packaged drinking water industry, largely consisting of small and medium bottling plants. The total number of units in the state is 148, with a production capacity of about 20,000km per day. However, the usage level remains relatively low compared to the national average. Only 4.4% of urban households in Bihar use bottled water, while the national average stands at 12.2%. Demand is nevertheless increasing due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, expansion of the service and tourism sectors, and concerns about groundwater quality.

Why has there been such a phenomenal rise in the consumption of bottled water in the last one decade?

The consumption of bottled water has increased significantly due to several factors. People are increasingly concerned about water-borne diseases and prefer packaged water that is perceived to be hygienic and purified. Busy urban lifestyles and frequent travel make bottled water a convenient option. Growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors in Bihar has also contributed to the rise in demand for packaged water. Many consumers view bottled water as a safer and more premium product.

Do bottled waters sold in the market really contain proper amounts of minerals as claimed?

Mineral water brands are required to follow standards set by regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These standards regulate mineral content, microbial safety and labelling requirements. However, in tests conducted at the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) on some packaged drinking water, the quantities of calcium and magnesium were found to be 14.42 mg/L and 8.26 mg/L respectively. These are below the FSSAI-prescribed standards of 20-75 mg/L for calcium and 10–30 mg/L for magnesium.

Do packaging industries strictly adhere to quality control mandated by regulatory bodies?

In principle, yes. However, in practice, compliance varies. Regulatory mechanisms include FSSAI licensing and inspections, regular laboratory testing, quality audits and hygiene standards. Many small-scale or illegal bottling plants violate regulations. Organised companies generally follow the standards, but informal units may not adhere to stringent quality control measures.