FAQs

Natural mineral water is water from underground source that is packaged close to the source and meets the quality standards without processing.

Packaged drinking water is from any source and has to be treated and disinfected, a process that could involve filtration, UV or ozone treatment, reverse osmosis before it is fit for human consumption.

There are mainly 4 sections in a packaged drinking water plant : Water Treatment, Bottling, Quality Control (Lab) & Overall Utility.

Generally, a standard 2000 LPH packaged drinking water plant needs :-
a. Total Space : 5000 Sq. Ft built up area with 3000 Sq. Ft of covered area
b. Power : 65 HP
c. Raw water needed :- Approximately 3000 LPH of raw water is required of which 70 % will be used and 30 % will be reject. This is however an indicative quantity as it is largely dependent on the TDS of the raw water.
d. Project Cost : Rupees 75 Lakhs approximately which includes the cost of machinery, utilities, furniture etc
(Note – the cost is approximated in 2013).

According to market sources, while a litre of packaged drinking water is Rs 10-12, natural mineral water starts at about Rs 20 a litre and can go up to Rs 125.

On average it takes an estimated 1.39 litres of water to produce a litre of bottled water according to International Bottled Water Association

The following licenses are to be obtained for setting up a packaged drinking water plant in India.

1. Small scale industries registration
2. ISI certification from Bureau of Indian Standards
3. Pollution control certificate
4. Water test report from an authorized laboratory of raw water
5. Pest control certification
6. Certificates from chemist, microbiologist
7. Medical certificates for workers
8. No objection certificate (NOC) from Gram Panchayat, if applicable
9. Registration of trademark
10. Documents related to ownership of land/lease of land for setting up the plant
11. Memorandum of association of companies/partnership deed, if applicable.
12. Electrical load sanction 13. Sanction layout plan

No. Unless the official inspection of the plant, tests in an independent lab are carried out and official approval with license number is obtained, the unit cannot commence commercial production.

Yes, it is compulsory for all the manufacturers who intend to set up the processing unit, to obtain the ISI mark from Bureau of India Standards. Packaged Natural Mineral Water governed under IS: 13428 and Packaged Drinking Water governed under. IS: 14543

Yes, such Lab should be equipped to carry out all physical, chemical and micro biological tests prescribed as per IS : 3025, and has to be conducted by expert chemist / micro biologist.

Yes. As per notification issued by the ministry of consumer affairs on Feb28, 2001, amending Standards of weights and Measures [Packaged Commodities] Rules 1977, it is mandatory now for bottled water to be sold only in prescribed standard. These are 100 ml / 150 ml / 200 ml / 250 ml / 300 ml / 330ml [ only in cans ], 500ml / 750 ml / 1 liter / 1.5 liter / 2,3,4,5 liters and thereafter in multiples of 5 liters.

Yes. As per notification issued by the ministry of consumer affairs on Feb28, 2001, amending Standards of weights and Measures [Packaged Commodities] Rules 1977, it is mandatory now for bottled water to be sold only in prescribed standard. These are 100 ml / 150 ml / 200 ml / 250 ml / 300 ml / 330ml [ only in cans ], 500ml / 750 ml / 1 liter / 1.5 liter / 2,3,4,5 liters and thereafter in multiples of 5 liters.

The plastic material used to contain naturally sourced bottled waters found on supermarket shelves is made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). PET is the main packaging material used for beverages and is completely safe.

Single-use plastic water bottles are not designed for re-use. In the interest of hygiene and consumer safety it is not advised to re-use single-use bottles.

Naturally sourced bottled waters have different concentrations of minerals in them, depending on the geology of the land that they come from, which gives each bottled water its taste.