The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has declared 29 bottled and mineral water brands unsafe for human consumption after nationwide testing.

The council tested 230 water samples collected from 20 major cities between April and June 2026. The results were released on Friday after being compared with bottled water standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.

Bacteria found in 22 brands

PCRWR found bacterial contamination in 22 brands, making them unsafe for drinking.

The affected brands include Mai Sial Bottled Drinking Water, JERS Safe Life, Natural Pure Life, Natural Sip, Al Meer, Al Saha, Al Shifa, Royal Fina, Aqua Nice Pure Life, Noor Aqua, Aqua Pure, Drinkwell Pure Drinking Water, Imperial Pure Drinking Water, Zalmi, Deep Blue, Aab-e-Haram, Vital Sip, Hunza Ulter Water, Rehydr8 Drink Pure Water, Moya Mineral Water, Tynant Aqua and Aqua Pura Smart.

Sodium levels exceed limit

Nine brands were found to have sodium levels above the permissible limit of 50 parts per million.

These included 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, Water Drinkly and Alpha H2O Bottled Drinking Water.

TDS also raises concerns

Four brands exceeded the permissible total dissolved solids (TDS) limit of 500 ppm. They were A2Z Pure Bottled Drinking Water, Imperial Pure Drinking Water, Aab-e-Haram and Alpha H2O Bottled Drinking Water.

Consumers urged to stay alert

PCRWR said the federal government has directed it to conduct quarterly monitoring of bottled and mineral water brands.

The council urged consumers to check water quality reports before purchasing bottled water. The findings were issued by PCRWR Director General Dr Hifza Rasheed.