Concerns Raised Over Packaged Drinking Water Quality in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. On Sunday, Pawan Baniya replaced three jars at a nearby grocery store in Kathmandu 32 Jadibuti. In his haste, he only realized after bringing them home that one of the jars was leaking.

He later informed the shopkeeper about this. The shopkeeper replied, 'We also received similar jars from customers, so you got the same. Now, when the company's vehicle comes, you can exchange it. Where can we exchange it?' After the shopkeeper's response, Pawan returned silently.

Even after Melamchi water arrived in Kathmandu, the problem of drinking water has not been completely resolved. Millions of consumers in the valley still depend on jar water.

However, the jar water that so many consumers trust is not entirely reliable. Some jars are dirty, stained, or dented from the outside.

Many jars directly from companies are also not clean. Incidents and news of dust particles and sediment being found inside have been reported from time to time.

But consumers are forced to drink such jar water due to lack of alternatives.

The quality and distribution system of jar drinking water consumed daily in the Kathmandu Valley are periodically discussed. Questions are raised about the purity of the water.

Consumer activist Jyoti Baniya states that the health of the public is at serious risk because industrialists are not adhering to even the minimum standards for a sensitive item like drinking water, which is directly linked to human life.

He said that dirty jars, algae formation, and packaging weaknesses clearly indicate the profit-oriented tendency of industrialists. While the shopkeeper blames the industry and the industry blames the jar manufacturer, it is ultimately the general consumers who suffer.

In view of the growing irregularities in the market, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has recently been conducting surprise inspections at various water industries in Kathmandu.

According to the department, most industries were found to be not even minimally complying with the 'Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081'. Last week alone, the inspection team seized and immediately destroyed about 150 old, dented, and unusable jars from various industries.

According to the department, among the inspected industries, Bhadrakali Water Industry and Siddhakaali Aqua Water Industry were found to have poor sanitation conditions. At Siddhakaali Aqua, the 'Ultra Violet' light, which is mandatory for water purification, was found to be not placed in the correct location.

Similarly, the condition of Manohara Food & Beverage and Ocean Drinking Water Industries was found to be even more worrying. The department stated that at Manohara Food, the process of washing and filling jars was happening in the same room, which increases the risk of infection.

Furthermore, Ocean Drinking Water was found to have a serious issue of its food permit (license) not being renewed and selling its water in jars belonging to another company.

The problem is not just within the industries; negligence during transportation is equally dire. During an inspection by the Metropolitan City Police of Kathmandu, it was found that workers were stepping on the jars while carrying them in the vehicles and handling the jars in a very unhygienic condition on the streets.

There is no basis to believe that the water inside jars with polluted and algae-covered outer surfaces is healthy. According to the Metropolitan Police, numerous such industries and distributors are found every week, completely disregarding consumer health.

Action Should Be Taken for Weaknesses – Water Industry Federation

Regarding this issue, the Nepal Water Industry Federation claims that efforts are being made for improvement from their side. Dhruva Adhikari, the general secretary of the federation, said that they are running a campaign to destroy old jars and not protect industrialists who compromise on quality.

However, he pointed out that the weakness in jar quality is not solely the fault of the water industries but also of the jar manufacturing factories. Regarding pricing, the federation argues that consumers end up paying more because dealers and retailers try to make excessive profits.

'No one's negligence can be tolerated in a basic and health-related matter like drinking water,' Adhikari said. According to him, 620 water industries are in operation across the country.

The federation has issued a circular to industries across the country to bring back and destroy old and dented jars. 'The federation has a clear stance that industries violating the rules will not be protected and government standards must be fully complied with,' Adhikari said.

He stated that although the retail price of jars in Kathmandu is set at Rs 47 and outside the valley at Rs 60, the industries are blamed because dealers and retailers may alter the price for profit.

Consumer rights activist Sapana KC says, 'Only when industrialists adhere to business ethics, distributors pay attention to transportation, and government bodies take strict action can consumers get pure and safe drinking water.'

She criticized the government for conducting only superficial inspections and stated that improvement will not happen without action. 'There is talk of inspections, but strict action, even closure of industries, must be taken against those who repeatedly make mistakes. Only then will there be improvement,' she said.