Various businesses, including bakeries, sweets shops, and local RO plants, are not meeting the necessary health standards, posing a challenge for the government to regulate them effectively
A recent report from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority revealed that nearly 40% of bottled water samples tested in the province failed to meet safety standards and were deemed unfit for human consumption
Pakistanis choose to buy bottled drinking water believing it to be safe and healthy, and not harmful to them and their loved ones. They spend money to prevent diseases and get clean drinking water. However, reports have indicated that bottled water across Pakistan may not be safe for consumption. Various businesses, including bakeries, sweets shops, and local RO plants, are not meeting the necessary health standards, posing a challenge for the government to regulate them effectively. Most of them do not meet the criteria set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) as declared in its rules and regulations. A recent report from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority revealed that nearly 40% of bottled water samples tested in the province failed to meet safety standards and were deemed unfit for human consumption.
Preventing this contamination is a significant challenge for the water industry and regulators, as it can lead to various health issues ranging from mild symptoms like diarrhoea and headaches to more severe conditions such as birth defects and cancer. Contaminants have various sources, including the environment and water processing. Despite efforts to address the issue, it stays in the water due to factors like climate change and globalisation. To effectively tackle chemical contamination in water, a comprehensive approach is needed, incorporating technological advancements, sustainable agricultural practices, and stringent regulations.
Water pollution is one of the major threats to public health in Pakistan. Drinking water quality is poorly managed and monitored. Pakistan ranks at number 80 among 122 nations regarding the purity of the drinking water. Sources of the drinking water, both surface and groundwater, are contaminated with coliforms, toxic metals and pesticides throughout the country. Various drinking water quality parameters set by the WHO are frequently violated. Human activities like improper disposal of municipal and industrial effluents and indiscriminate applications of agrochemicals in agriculture are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of water quality. Microbial and chemical pollutants are the main factors responsible exclusively or in combination for various public health problems. This review discusses a detailed layout of drinking water quality in Pakistan with special emphasis on major pollutants, sources of pollution and the consequent health problems. The data presented in this review are extracted from various studies published in national and international journals. Also, reports released by the government and non-governmental organisations are included.
In the first report of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has revealed alarming results from its first province-wide bottled water testing drive, showing that nearly 40% of samples failed to meet safety standards and were declared unfit for human consumption.
A total of 156 bottled water samples of different sizes — including 19-litre, 1.5-litre, 500ml, and 300ml bottles — were tested at the newly established Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Research Centre. Of these, 59.61% met quality benchmarks, while 40.39% fell below the standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
During the briefing to Provincial Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru, Authority Director General Wasif Saeed disclosed that 56 water source samples were also tested; 27 passed, while 29 were declared unsafe.
The report flagged serious health risks, revealing that 61 bottled water samples carried microbial contamination, including Coliform, Faecal Coliform, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, two samples contained harmful chemicals. These contaminants, officials warned, pose significant threats to public health.
According to the Authority’s data, 143 licensed water plants in KP produce around 419,000 litres daily, but more than 117,000 litres were found substandard in the laboratory test period, which was held from August 23 to September 19.
The Food Authority announced that the campaign will now be extended to water filtration units and household sources to further safeguard consumers. Heavy fines have already been imposed on companies whose products failed testing, while substandard stocks have been recalled and destroyed. Production at non-compliant plants has been suspended until corrective measures are taken and fresh samples pass laboratory checks.
Minister Zahir Shah Toru praised the initiative, calling it a landmark in protecting consumer rights. He credited Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s directives for launching large-scale food and beverage testing drives through the new provincial laboratory.
“We are committed to rooting out substandard and hazardous products from the market. By ensuring food safety, we will reduce the burden on hospitals and protect public health,” the minister stated.
He emphasised that the government’s strict testing regime is not only about safeguarding health but also about helping legitimate businesses improve production quality in line with national and international standards.
It is noted that a couple of weeks ago, Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) declared 23 brands unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.
The government of Pakistan had tasked PCRWR with monitoring bottled/mineral water brands every quarter and publicising the results for the awareness of public health.
For the second quarter of 2025, from April to June, 203 samples of mineral/bottled water brands were collected from 21 major cities. Comparison of test results with the bottled water quality standards of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) had revealed that 23 brands were unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.
Eleven brands, such as 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, were found to be unsafe due to the presence of higher levels of sodium.
Four brands Atco Drinking Water, Aqua Nest, Pani, and New Mountain were found to be unsafe due to the presence of higher levels of arsenic.
One brand labelled Vey Forever was found unsafe due to the presence of a high level of potassium above the permissible limit.
Nine other brands, such as Noble Pure Drinking Water, Aqua 111, Clear, Wah Water, Nice Pure Max, Aqua King bottled water, Maa Jee, Freshin drinking water and Iceland, were found to be contaminated with bacteria and thus were unsafe for drinking purposes.
PCRWR said that the general public was encouraged to look at the detailed report to know about the status of the water quality of bottled water brands they consume.
