Bottled water sales soar in Pune as GBS outbreak raises fears about tap water safety
As concerns over the safety of tap water intensify amidst the ongoing Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak, Pune has witnessed a sharp rise in the demand for bottled water. The GBS outbreak has sparked widespread fear among residents, with many opting for branded bottled water over regular or tap water due to concerns about contamination and unreliable purification systems. The surge in bottled water consumption reflects not only health concerns but also a growing distrust in the city’s water infrastructure.
For local store owners, the shift in customer preferences has been dramatic. Anil Kadam, a 73-year-old grocer from Karve Nagar, reported a significant uptick in bottled water sales. “Before the GBS scare, our sales ranged from 56% to 75% of our stock,” he said. “But once people linked the disease to contaminated water, demand skyrocketed, with bottled water sales now touching 80% to 87% of stock.” Kadam’s store alone sells more than 10,000 bottles of Rs 10 each and 8,500 to 8,900 bottles priced at Rs 20 daily. This trend is echoed by other retailers and business owners across the city, underscoring the community’s growing preference for perceived safety.
In the hospitality sector, restaurants and food outlets have also seen a significant shift in customer choices. Sagar Chandhramukesh, the manager of Joshi Wadewale in Deccan, shared that approximately 85% of their daily stock of bottled water is sold, as customers, particularly the elderly, youth, and professionals, express doubts about the quality of tap water. Many now request bottled water or rely on water that has been filtered and purified. “The fear is widespread—everyone is questioning the safety of tap water, especially with no clear answers about the purification process or maintenance of water tanks,” Chandhramukesh added. This sentiment is felt across Pune, where residents are increasingly turning to trusted brands, seeking peace of mind amid growing concerns.
Rising Concerns: A Public Health and Civic Issue
As the GBS outbreak continues to raise alarm, the situation brings to light deeper issues about urban water infrastructure and its ability to meet public health standards. Rutuja More, a supplier of drinking water near Cummins College, noted that the surge in bottled water sales is particularly prevalent among students, who are extra cautious about their drinking water. “Before the outbreak, we were selling at about 70% capacity, but now we’re at 90% to 92% every day,” she said. The increasing demand for bottled water has pushed her business to sell approximately 500 litres of bottled water daily, including 30 large 10-litre bottles. The water supplied by certified mineral water manufacturers, which undergoes reverse osmosis and UV purification, has become the go-to option for many, highlighting the perceived inadequacy of the city’s tap water safety measures.
This surge in bottled water sales also signals a growing distrust in municipal water systems, reflecting widespread doubts about the efficacy and reliability of the purification processes implemented by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Questions about whether tanks are cleaned regularly and the condition of the water supply infrastructure continue to linger, fuelling concerns among citizens about the safety of the water they consume. Jay Mahajan, a store manager from Shivaji Nagar, noted the increasing demand for well-known bottled water brands, with customers prioritising safety and quality. “We sell out nearly 210 small bottles each day and struggle to keep up with the demand for larger bottles,” he said.
Sustainability and Long-Term Impact on Urban Water Consumption
From a sustainability perspective, the sharp rise in bottled water consumption brings to the fore the challenges that urban cities like Pune face in managing water resources and ensuring safe drinking water. While bottled water offers an immediate solution to concerns over waterborne diseases, it also raises issues regarding plastic waste and the environmental footprint of mass bottled water consumption. Plastic waste, particularly from single-use water bottles, is a significant concern in urban centres like Pune, where landfills and waste management systems are already under strain. This paradox highlights the unsustainable cycle of relying on bottled water as a long-term solution to water quality issues.
A sustainable approach to the crisis could involve better maintenance of municipal water infrastructure, alongside the introduction of more efficient water filtration and purification systems for households and businesses. Moreover, investing in rainwater harvesting systems, promoting water conservation, and encouraging the use of reusable water bottles could help mitigate the environmental impact of bottled water. Ensuring that the public water supply meets international safety standards would address the root cause of the issue, reducing the need for bottled alternatives in the long term.
In conclusion, the growing reliance on bottled water in Pune, driven by health concerns and civic infrastructure issues, presents both challenges and opportunities. While the immediate demand for bottled water offers a temporary reprieve, it is essential for authorities and businesses to adopt a sustainable and transparent approach to water purification and urban water management to build public trust and reduce environmental harm. As the city continues to grow, a shift towards more resilient and eco-friendly solutions will be critical in ensuring that residents can access clean, safe drinking water without compromising on health or the environment.
