Tirupati: Growing sales of packaged drinking water with lookalike brand names and operation of unlicensed reverse osmosis (RO) water plants are raising concerns over safety of drinking water quality in Tirupati district, where lakhs of residents and pilgrims rely on bottled and canned water every day.
With demand for packaged drinking water on the rise, several operators are marketing water under brand names that closely resemble those of established companies, altering one or two letters on labels. The packaging is similar to recognised brands, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine products from imitations.
The issue is particularly evident in Tirupati, Tiruchanoor, and Srikalahasti, where a steady influx of pilgrims has made the packaged drinking water business lucrative. This has encouraged proliferation of local brands with unclear quality standards.
According to official data, 161 RO plants operate within the Tirupati Municipal Corporation limits. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, packaged drinking water must undergo physical, chemical, and microbiological testing before distribution. Parameters, such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, and bacteriological quality, must be monitored regularly. Bottling units and RO plants are required to maintain in-house laboratories, adhere to hygiene standards, and conduct periodic quality checks.
However, complaints persist that several units operate without valid licences or fail to maintain the prescribed hygiene and quality standards. Although officials are expected to collect water samples regularly for laboratory analysis, field-level monitoring remains inconsistent.
A senior food safety official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said packaged drinking water units must obtain FSSAI licence and comply with prescribed standards, while the municipal authorities monitor suppliers of RO bubble-top cans. However, the official admitted that inspections have not kept pace with the rapid growth of water plants and brands, allowing several unlicensed units and lookalike brands to continue operating.
Officials have shut down several non-compliant water plants over the past five years. Yet, only about 20 to 25 packaged drinking water units are said to hold valid licences across the district, including nearly a dozen officially recognised units in Tirupati city. The wide gap between licensed units and the large number of brands available in the market has raised concerns over enforcement.
Water quality concerns also extend to Tirumala, where plastic bottles are prohibited. Packaged drinking water is supplied in glass bottles by nearly 10 companies. Except for one international brand, most suppliers are local firms. Devotees have often pointed to instances of dust, insects, and other impurities being found in glass bottles. It is said the response of TTD Health wing has often been limited to imposing fines on these water suppliers. Pilgrims have called for stricter inspections, regular quality audits, and greater transparency in quality testing.
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