Indo-Asian News Service | July 23, 2002

An unusually long dry spell and the failure of the authorities to rise to the occasion have led to a dramatic spurt in the sale of packaged drinking water in the Indian capital. During the past month, more and more people in this city of 15 million are opting for such water to meet a crisis sparked by an unprecedented shortage of potable water supplied by the city administration.

Everyone admits there has been sharp rise in sales, but the reasons vary. Residents interviewed at random said they are forced to buy the water because the government\'s Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has failed to rise to the occasion and taps in many neighbourhoods have simply gone dry.

Said Aishwarya Venugopal, a resident of Vasant Kunj neighbourhood in South Delhi: \"We are left with no option but to buy water. Taps are dry and even the water tankers sent by the local government are not regular.\" Companies said their business is thriving because people have become health conscious and no longer trust the quality of water available from their taps.

The worst affected areas are in Delhi\'s northern, northwestern and southern regions. Many residents have installed tube wells to draw out ground water, but this is not fit for human consumption. Tanveer Ahmad, 25, a salesman who shares a flat with his friend in a south Delhi neighbourhood Taimoor Nagar, added: \"We have not been getting any water from the taps for 15 days. I spend Rs.40 every day to buy drinking water.\"

Sources from the Delhi Jal Board said the demand for water has gone up to 800 million gallons per day (MGD) against a supply of 650 MGD. Due to lack of rains, the water level has gone down in reservoirs in northern India. But the dry season has led to good business for those in the water business.

They sell mineral water as well as other forms of potable water in bottles and plastic containers of 1, 2, 5, 20 and 25 litres. Drinking water costs Rs.5 for half a litre. The cost for 20-25 litres of water is around Rs.40.

There are around 200 private water suppliers in Delhi who supply water in tankers, but this is not fit for drinking. Only three of them have purification plants to make the water fit for consumption. But the bottled water is not without its hazards. Several residents complain of poor quality.

At least one company that produces mineral water claims that soaring demand for water is not only because of shortage. Said Rajiv Paul, marketing manager of one of the popular brands of mineral water: \"People are more health conscious and so are going for mineral water. \"Delhi is a great market for drinking water. The overall business could be anything around Rs.6 billion monthly. It has lots of potential,\" said Paul.

Added Deepak Jolly, spokesperson for Aquafina: \"We sell in around 15,000 outlets in Delhi. Sales have definitely gone up. But I think it is more due to the heat and humidity than the water shortage.\" Many multinational companies have started selling water to create a brand recall value among customers.

There are tens of thousands of poor who go without water even at the best of times. Now, amid a scorching and seemingly unending summer, they have nothing to depend on except hand-operated pumps that draw out ground water.

In numerous low-income neighbourhoods, this is also consumed. But for those who can afford to buy water, there is an answer. Manoj Chetri, a grocery shop owner in south Delhi, said: \"I have been selling packed drinking water for one month. It is in great demand. Most shops here have started selling it too.\"