Opinion
Bottled water replacing public taps
Something I predicted more than 20 years ago has finally happened. I had openly questioned how long public authorities could go on investing in new, high-quality tap water systems when only a small fraction of the volume was needed for people to drink.
There are all kinds of pitfalls in this radical new approach, but the search for new water supply alternatives has to be applauded
It would, of course, be better to have proper piped public water provision direct to every home, but the cost is huge.
It would also be better for all water to be sensibly costed, priced and valued so that supplies are not squandered, yet water is emotional as well as economic.
I have often reflected on these themes in this blog.
So, what’s changed? Well, a government minister in India has finally decided to consider investing in bottled water rather than tap water. Moreover, the city identified for this trial is none other than Mumbai. The cost would be five rupees for 20 litres.
“Though it’s dearer than tap water, it would help us sorting out sanitation problems and control waterborne diseases,” said water supply and sanitation minister Laxman Dhobale.
Perhaps inevitably, there was a twist in the tale, as the minister is also planning a one rupee tax on all mineral water bottles to help pay for this. There are all kinds of pitfalls in this radical new approach, but the search for new water supply alternatives has to be applauded.
Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International. You can also read his blog at BevBlog.
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Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International.
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