Evaluation of Chemical and Microbial Quality of Bottled Water Available in Sri Lankan Market

Abstract

Production of bottled water in Sri Lanka has been started in the late 1§80's. Many studies have proved that consumers believe that bottled water is safe and tastes better. However, some studies on bottled water quality have proved that there are many occasions that tap water is safer than bottled water. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the quality of bottled water available in Sri Lankan market. Twenty-five brands of bottled water produced in Sri Lanka (popular brands) has been evaluated for several water quality parameters, namely, pH, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total conforms (TC). pH, alkalinity, turbidity, conductivity and TDS were within the accepted limits in Food (Bottled or Packaged water) Regulations-2005 gazetted by the government. However, it was observed that total coliform count was positive in 4 brands and total hardness exceeded the acceptable level (250 mg/l as CaCCty in 4 brands. All the other parameters were in accepted levels in all brands. It can be concluded that all bottled water brands available in Sri Lanka is not meeting the regulations.