23 Bottled Water Brands Declared Unsafe by PCRWR in Latest Quality Report
Islamabad, August 2025 – In a concerning development for consumers, the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has declared 23 bottled water brands unsafe for human consumption due to chemical and microbiological contamination.
The findings come from PCRWR’s routine quarterly monitoring, conducted under directives from the Government of Pakistan to ensure the quality of drinking water available to the public.
Second Quarter 2025 Report: Contamination Across 21 Cities
Between April and June 2025, PCRWR collected 203 water samples from 21 major cities across Pakistan. The samples were evaluated against benchmarks set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Key Contaminants Identified
✅ Excessive Sodium (11 Brands)
Water with high sodium content can pose health risks, especially to people with hypertension or heart disease. The following brands were found to contain sodium levels exceeding safe limits:
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New Mehran
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Aqua 111
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Nice Pure Max
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Pure Drinking Water
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Logic
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Himalya Cool
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Natural Pure Life
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Natural
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Forever Bottled Drinking Water
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Drinkly Pure Drinking Water
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Qudrat Water
⚠️ High Arsenic Levels (4 Brands)
Long-term consumption of arsenic-contaminated water can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. The following brands were flagged for high arsenic:
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Atco Drinking Water
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Aqua Nest
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Pani
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New Mountain
❌ Potassium Contamination (1 Brand)
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Vey Forever was found to exceed the recommended potassium level, which can be risky for individuals with kidney conditions.
🦠 Bacterial Contamination (9 Brands)
The presence of harmful bacteria indicates poor filtration or unhygienic bottling practices. These brands tested positive for microbial contamination:
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Noble Pure Drinking Water
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Aqua 111
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Clear
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Wah Water
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Nice Pure Max
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Aqua King
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Maa Jee
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Freshin
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Iceland
Consumer Advisory
PCRWR urges the public to consult the complete list of tested brands before purchasing bottled water. The full report is available on the official PCRWR website and includes detailed safety data for all 203 sampled brands.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
As bottled water remains a common household item, consumers are encouraged to stay updated on safety reports and choose only certified, tested brands to protect their health and well-being.
