Speaking out against bottled water in Pakistan

More than half of bottled water brands unfit for use

Thursday, April 29, 2010
By Shahid Husain

Karach

As many as 12 out of the 22 brands of bottled water sold in Pakistan were “unsafe for human consumption,” Naeem Sadiq, an activist of Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment (Shehri-CBE) said on Wednesday, while citing a 2004 report of the science and technology ministry’s Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR).

During a lecture at the office of the Urban Resource Centre (URC), Sadiq said that these brands were found to be unsafe by none other than the government of Pakistan due to poor microbiological and chemical quality. Small wonder then, that on December 31, 2004, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was compelled to take a serious view of the report, he said, adding however, that sadly, one finds various unsafe brands of bottled water being marketed with impunity in the impoverished country.

On November 30, 2004, the Sindh High Court (SHC) also made history when it restrained an international water company from providing water in “Education City” at the Super Highway, Karachi, for American soldiers fighting the “war on terror” in Afghanistan, he said.

Had the SHC not done this, the Gadap aquifer would have been drained, affecting the lives and livelihood of the local population.

Sadiq said that as many as 200 billion bottles of water were produced across the world every year for a whopping $50billion business. One liter of bottled water in Pakistan costs 30 times more than the same amount of tap water, he added.

Bottled water means environmental degradation of the worst and involved the wastage of precious resources, Sadiq said. Around 200 billion plastic bottles are produced across the world every year and only 20 per cent of them are re-cycled, which is perhaps why the developed world, which is short of landfills, has found the developing world to be an ideal dumping ground of plastic waste, he said.

“Bottled water is one of the biggest scams of our time,” he said. Common folk and the elite alike are given the impression that bottled water was “pure” “safe” and “fresh” and has pristine labels — this, however, is a farce, Sadiq claimed.

Bottled water was first introduced in Pakistan in 1968, and amazingly, while the worldwide growth of bottled water was 24 per cent per annum; it was 40 per cent per annum in Pakistan, he said, adding that common folk were finding it increasingly difficult to get water in Pakistan.

Four factors push the demand for bottled water: exaggerated fear of tap water; seduction of mineral water bottles; corruption of the government; and the greed of the corporate sector, Sadiq said. The Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) has a foreign debt of Rs 42 billion and no donor is ready to help anymore, he said.

“The plain truth is that there is no water shortage in Karachi because it receives 695 million gallons every day,” Sadiq said, adding however, that a major chunk of this is lost due to theft, pilferage and faulty lines.

Coke's Chinese Greenwash

Hurdler twists bottles for environment
April 28, 2010
China Daily - Hong Kong Edition

Star hurdler Liu Xiang's popularity and influence among sports fans earned him another special role on Monday in Shenzhen as he joined in an environment protection campaign as an ambassador.

The "I Twist for Green" campaign was launched by Coca-Cola's drinking water brand, ICE Dew, which features eco-friendly, lightweight bottles for consumers.

The bottles are specially designed so they can be easily twisted and compressed after consumption, thereby saving more than 70 percent of the space needed while the bottle makes its way to recycling.

"It's very interesting. The bottle shows us environmental protection can be really simple and fun," said Liu. "I have to drink a lot during training and the bottle gives me the chance to do something for environmental protection. Everyone should be part of it."

Liu revealed some good habits in daily life.

"I ride my bicycle from home to my training base. I have also told my family and friends to drive less. Besides, I also try to save water every day."

The Ice Dew lightweight bottle will be launched in Shenzhen, Xi'an, Xiamen, Nanjing, Hangzhou and other cities in May and then throughout the country.

The launch also comes in time for the Shanghai Expo and, with Coca-Cola as a sponsor and beverage partner, the lightweight bottle will be available to the expected 70 million visitors.

Pepsico's 'purity' claim challenged

Pepsico's 'purity' claim challenged
March 24, 2010
Hindustan Times


New Delhi, March 24 -- Does the phrase "purity guaranteed" mislead you while purchasing packaged drinking water?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) believes it does. The bureau has even moved the Supreme Court to restrain Pepsico from using the phrase on its packaged water under the brand, Aquafina.

BIS has challenged a Delhi High Court verdict that allows the multinational to print "purity guaranteed" on its packaged water bottles. Water is not a single homogenous unit like petrol or oil and cannot be termed as pure, BIS has argued in its appeal against High Court judgment, permitting use of the "objectionable expression".

BIS's appeal states that pure water would only be distilled water used in batteries, which is not fit for human consumption. Hence, the use of words such as "pure" and "purity guaranteed" on packaged drinking water is a misnomer.

Water sold in packaged form, says BIS, is derived from any source of potable water and is later subjected to treatments, such as decantation, filtration, aeration and other methods to meet the prescribed standards.

"It may be disinfected by means of chemical agents or physical methods to reduce the micro-organisms to a level that would not lead to contamination in the drinking water, but a level that does not compromise food safety or suitability," reads the BIS appeal.

It adds the multinational organizations in trade or commerce are duty bound to take precautions and safeguards to promote and protect the rights of human beings, including their health and safety.

"Restrictions on the use of trade marks to achieve the said objectives is fair and reasonable," says BIS.Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.

WORLDWIDE RELEASE – The Story of Bottled Water

RELEASED TODAY! The Polaris Institute is proud to co-release the Story of Bottled Water – a 7 minute animated film exposing the truth about bottled water. Co-produced by the Story of Stuff Project, the Polaris Institute and other leading organizations, the film exposes the bottled water industry and makes the case for the public tap.

WATCH IT NOW

Take action now in 3 easy steps:

1. Watch the video online

2. Visit www.storyofbottledwater.org for additional resources and information

3. Send this email to 5 friends and encourage them to find out the real Story of Bottled Water


Thanks,


The Polaris Institute InsideTheBottle.org campaign team

Tony, Joe, Richard, Elly, Tanya, Daniel, and Cam

Thousands Mark Canadaʼs First Bottled Water Free Day

For immediate release

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thousands Mark Canadaʼs First Bottled Water Free Day

OTTAWA ––Today, Canadians across the country are participating in Canadaʼs first Bottled Water Free Day. Organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute, Bottled Water Free Day is intended to raise awareness about the negative impacts of bottled water.

“Across the country students are standing up against the wasteful bottled water industry,” said Noah Stewart, National Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “Tired of having to pay Coca Cola, Pepsi or Nestle for a drink of water weʼre calling on schools to ban the sale of bottled water and re-invest in water fountains.”

Highlights of Bottled Water Free Day include:

* Events on more than 60 university and college campuses across the country
* An announcement that Ryerson University will stop selling and distributing bottled
water
* The public release of documents, obtained through an Access to Information request,
showing that the CBC spent nearly $500,000 on bottled water between 2004 and
2008

“The success of Bottled Water Free Day shows the strength of the back-to-the-tap
movement,” says Elly Adeland, Water and Energy Campaigner for the Polaris Institute.
“Bottled Water sales in North America have plummeted and across the country Canadians are pledging to kick the bottle – clearly the tap is making a comeback.”
Bottled Water Free Day is taking place after years of escalating bottled water backlash in Canada. To date 76 municipalities, 4 municipal associations (including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), 8 school boards, 5 university campuses and countless businesses have implemented restrictions on bottled water.

For a full list of events and endorsing organisations visit: www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
Noah Stewart, Canadian Federation of Students, (613) 232-7394
Elly Adeland, Polaris Institute (613) 237-1717 x104

Thousands of Canadians to Participate in Canada’s First Bottled Water Free Day on March 11th

MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Thousands of Canadians to Participate in Canada’s First Bottled Water Free Day on March 11th

OTTAWA – On Thursday March 11, Canadians from coast to coast will be participating in Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day.

Highlights of Bottled Water Free Day include:

Announcements by Ryerson University regarding the sale of bottled water; events on more than 60 college and university campuses; the release of data on spending by the CBC on bottled water obtained through an Access to Information Request.

More than 70 organisations, institutions and municipalities including the Sierra Club of Canada, Canadian Labour Congress, City of Sudbury, and Durham Catholic District School Board have endorsed Bottled Water Free Day to date.

Bottled Water Free Day is organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute.

For a full list of events and endorsing organisations visit: www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

Noah Stewart, Canadian Federation of Students, (613) 232-7394 dchair@cfs-fcee.ca

Elly Adeland, Polaris Institute (613) 237-1717 x104 elly@polarisinstitute.org

Interesting article from Pakistan that discusses the health impacts of poor drinking water and the role of the bottled water industry.

Bottled Water Sector in Pakistan- What is Needed To Be Done?
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Qudrat Ullah

In Pakistan, the unchecked and more than needed population explosion has heightened the need to ensure uninterrupted access to improved drinking-water supply, especially in mega cities like Karachi and Lahore where traces of multiple deadly rudiments including the human feces are reported by laboratory reports. This shows height of criminal neglect exhibited by the civic bodies towards public right of safe drinking water. Provision of pure water to all the people by the government is not only a basic need and precondition for a healthy life but it is also a vital human right of all the people which mustn’t be ignored at any cost. The whole edifice of human life revolves round it.

Various improved water supply technologies have been developed by the modern world nations which included household connections, public standpipes, boreholes, protected dug-wells, protected springs and rainwater collections.

It is reported in the media many times that the global water shortage of affordable and safe drinking water is conspicuously visible in Pakistan with an estimated 44 percent of the total population is without any access to safe drinking water. This paucity of clean drinking water can be more visibly seen in rural areas where up to 90 percent of the inhabitants may lack such access. On the other side, only three percent of Pakistan’s sweet water resources are used for household purposes and drinking. As one warning of the high-scale of the drinking problem prevalent in our society and the public ignorance of it, it is anticipated that more than 2.5 lakh infant children die of diarrheal diseases every year. Results of five years National Water Quality Monitoring Programme which covers 23 major cities, 8 Rivers, 9 lakes and many reservoirs show widespread bacteriological contaminants in the drinking water. Chemical contaminants in drinking water such as arsenic, fluoride and nitrate are discovered at various locations. Arsenic contamination is found in southern Punjab and central Sindh. Contamination in drinking water is the major cause of many serious water borne diseases.

Water is accepted in Islamic teachings as an essential source of life; of which, everybody has the right to a fair share. According to a Hadith, it was stated by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “Muslims have common share in three (things): grass, water and fire”. Moreover, the Holy Quran has also warned the human beings against unfair distribution of common goods and Islamic scholars concur that Islam forbids unfair assumptions, exploitation and uneven earnings of common goods like water.

It is pity that even in this era of 21st century, majority of the population is destined to use or drink from unkempt and polluted water system and due to that, various problems have arisen-increasing the number of terminal diseases like Hepatitis etc. For those who can afford to avoid this unclean drinking water, bottled water is the only solution. Therefore, many in Pakistan have turned to bottled water as an apt substitute to drinking unfiltered faucet water or contaminated water of other sources where there is no public drinking water service. Average person consumes just two liters of bottled water per annum in Pakistan, compared to four in India and 10 in China. While bottled water is an awfully classy alternative to safe drinking water problem; it has been reported many times in the media that it is not for all time fit for human health because intermittent testing of contaminants and sporadic inspection of processing plants show that not all bottled water plants are being run according to health and hygiene standards set forth by the U.N.

Bottled water, it may be noted, should not be taken as an appropriate replacement to a sufficient service of tap-water as due to the lack of it, hapless buyers are forced to use bottled water. During the past thirty years, use of bottled water is increasingly moved up the world over, as it has become a global phenomenon. Bottled water sector, despite its excessively high price compared to tap water, is measured as one of the powerful sectors of all the food and beverage trade as its consumption increases by an average of 12% every year. Government has termed the bottled water market, with 33 million liters of consumption per annum in 1999, as small but positively on the rise. It is envisaged that a bottle of 1.5 liters has a production cost of Rs. 12.51 only. In United States, bottled water costs between 0.25 dollar to 2 dollar per bottle, while tap water costs less than US$0.01. This shows high rate of return in this field.

In our country, there are approximately twenty to thirty companies engaged in this business. Official figures show an estimated number of 26 corporations, while in summer time, this number increases up to 70. But from the perspective of quality control, Pakistan Council of Renewal Water Resources is witnessing a fluctuation in the market of 50 percent, e.g. half of the brands disappear and are replaced by new brands every year. Recently, it is told to the Lahore High Court that out of a total of 64 bottled and mineral water manufacturing companies in Punjab, only 10 are working under valid licences.

For the interest of the common readers, it may be added here that MNCs engaged in bottled water business are very powerful in our country where there is little room for the rule of law. One case is particular to note; on December 31, 2004, the Supreme Court approved the decision of the Lahore High Court, which dismissed a Rs. 6.35 million Pakistan Railways contract that granted Classic Needs Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd exclusive rights to sell bottled water to Railway passengers during 2004/2005. Furthermore, the Court directed the Railways administration to revoke the present contract, invite fresh bids and award the contract of bottled water supply to a firm after examination of water by a credible laboratory. Classic Needs Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd is the exclusive distributor of Nestlé’s ‘Pure Life’ which is its own brand. The Supreme Court declared the bottled water being supplied to passengers unfit for consumption and injurious to health. The decision of the Supreme Court was based on two different reports. The report of Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR) declared that both companies were bottling clean and healthy water; but the second report submitted by National Health Centre Islamabad, disclosed that even though mineral water products by both companies were contaminated, Nestlé water had a ‘low risk’ factor while the Classic Needs water was ‘high risk’. The then Supreme Court Justices namely Khalilur Rehman Ramday and Falak Sher took serious view of the reports and observed that the firms were making the people consume poisonous water and taking advantage of rail passengers as particularly captive buyers, as no hygienic water was available at Platforms and inside trains. But nothing happened afterwards and even media is silent on the issue. Bottled water sector has great scope to expand but it’s also need to develop composite regulatory authority to keep a constant check on quality and price.

We are facing a serious water challenge as Pakistan’s water quality ranks at 80th out of 122 nations. As a consequence, Government has to spend about Rs. 20 billion annually on medication for water borne diseases. In fact, water sector is repeatedly ignored by successive governments and due to that, Pakistan is also rapidly losing its legitimate water share of Rivers under Indus Basin Treaty. Due to that, severe effects have started to appear in our society like depletion of water level in cities grounds, lack of water in canals and rapid drying of Rivers.

This situation shows that criminal neglect has been shown by the public sector in providing clean drinking water to the people and on the other hand, government is also neglecting its obligations towards implementing laws for a healthy society. If we want to emerge as healthy, vibrant and developed nation in 21st century, then we will have to implement laws in their true spirit as no democracy can flourish without the rule of law.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/97271/bottled-water-sector-in-pakistan-what-is-needed-to-be-done.html