ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Authorities have issued a public health warning after 29 commercially available bottled and mineral water brands failed quality tests because of microbiological or chemical contamination, according to the latest government monitoring exercise.
The findings emerged from quarterly surveillance conducted by the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) under government directives aimed at monitoring the safety of bottled drinking water sold across the country.
During the second quarter of 2026, covering April to June, PCRWR collected 230 samples from 20 major cities and assessed them against drinking water standards prescribed by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Laboratory results showed that 29 brands did not meet the required standards and were consequently categorised as unsafe for human consumption.
Nine brands exceed sodium limit
PCRWR found excessive sodium levels in nine brands: HR Water Healthy Life, A2Z Pure Bottled Drinking Water, Pure Drinking Water, Deep Blue Pure Drinking Water, Sip Nest Purified Drinking Water, Aab-e-Haram, Aqua Life Bottled Drinking Water, Drinkly and Alpha H2O Bottled Drinking Water.
According to PCRWR, the permissible sodium level for bottled drinking water is 50 parts per million (ppm).
Some brands failed more than one quality parameter.
Four brands — A2Z Pure Bottled Drinking Water, Imperial Pure Drinking Water, Aab-e-Haram and Alpha H2O Bottled Drinking Water — were also declared unsafe because their total dissolved solids (TDS) exceeded the permissible threshold of 500 ppm.
Bacterial contamination detected
Microbiological contamination emerged as another major concern in the testing exercise.
PCRWR reported contamination in 22 brands, including Mai Sial Bottled Drinking Water, JERS Safe Life Bottled Drinking Water, Natural Pure Life (not Nestle), Natural Sip, Al Meer Bottled Drinking Water, Al Saha Drinking Water, Al Shifa Pure Life, Royal Fina Bottled Drinking Water, Aqua Nice Pure Life and Noor Aqua.
Other brands reported as contaminated included Aqua Pure, Drinkwell Pure Drinking Water, Imperial Pure Drinking Water, Zalmi, Deep Blue Pure Drinking Water, Aab-e-Haram, Vital Sip Bottled Drinking Water, Hunza Ulter Water, Rehydr8 Drink Pure Water, Moya Mineral Water, Tynant Aqua Bottled Drinking Water and Aqua Pura Smart.
Authorities said bacterial contamination rendered the affected bottled water unsafe for drinking.
Consumers urged to check water brands
PCRWR advised consumers to consult its detailed monitoring report to verify the quality status of bottled water brands before consumption.
The government has tasked the council with carrying out the monitoring exercise every quarter and making the findings public to increase consumer awareness and reduce potential public health risks.
Regular surveillance is particularly important as bottled and mineral water is widely consumed by households, offices, restaurants and travellers who often rely on commercially packaged water as a safer alternative to untreated supplies.
The latest findings underline the need for manufacturers to maintain water-treatment, bottling and hygiene standards while strengthening regulatory oversight of products reaching consumers.
