The Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has found 23 bottled water brands unfit for drinking due to harmful chemical and bacterial contamination.
As part of its routine checks, the PCRWR, under government directions, tests bottled and mineral water every quarter to ensure it meets safety standards.
For the second quarter of 2025, covering April to June, the agency collected 203 samples from 21 major cities and examined them according to the standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
The test results showed that 11 brands had sodium levels higher than safe limits. These included:
- New Mehran
- Aqua 111
- Nice Pure Max
- Pure Drinking Water
- Logic
- Himalya Cool
- Natural Pure Life
- Natural
- Forever Bottled Drinking Water
- Drinkly Pure Drinking Water
- Qudrat Water.
Additionally, four brands were found to contain unsafe levels of arsenic:
- Atco Drinking Water,
- Aqua Nest,
- Pani
- New Mountain.
One brand, Vey Forever, had more potassium than what is considered safe.
Furthermore, nine brands were found to be contaminated with bacteria. These were:
- Noble Pure Drinking Water
- Aqua 111
- Clear
- Wah Water
- Nice Pure Max
- Aqua King
- Maa Jee
- Freshin
- Iceland
The PCRWR has advised the public to check the full test report to ensure the bottled water they are consuming is safe.