The Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) on Friday declared 23 bottled water brands unsafe for human consumption. The contamination was due to either harmful bacteria or excessive levels of chemicals.
The Government of Pakistan has assigned PCRWR the task of monitoring bottled and mineral water brands every quarter. The agency is responsible for testing samples and publishing results to inform the public about water quality.
For the second quarter of 2025, PCRWR collected 203 samples from 21 major cities across Pakistan. These samples were tested and compared with the bottled water quality standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Quarterly Report by PCRWR:
Test results revealed that 23 brands did not meet the required safety standards. The contamination posed serious health risks, making these brands unfit for drinking.
Eleven brands were found to contain excessive sodium, making them unsafe. These included:
Read More: When the Tap Turns Toxic: Pakistan’s Growing Clean Water Emergency
New Mehran, Aqua 111, Nice Pure Max, Pure Drinking Water, Logic, Himalya Cool, Natural Pure Life, Natural, Forever Bottled Drinking Water, Drinkly Pure Drinking Water, and Qudrat Water.
Four brands had arsenic levels above the safe limit which are, Atco Drinking Water, Aqua Nest, Pani, and New Mountain.
One brand, Vey Forever, was found unsafe due to a high level of potassium.
Nine brands were contaminated with harmful bacteria, including Noble Pure Drinking Water, Aqua 111, Clear, Wah Water, Nice Pure Max, Aqua King Bottled Water, Maa Jee, Freshin Drinking Water, and Iceland.
PCRWR has advised the public to check the detailed water quality report to ensure they are not consuming unsafe bottled water. Consumers should stay informed and cautious about the brands they trust for daily drinking water.
