Overview

Groundwater contamination by arsenic, fluoride, iron, and other toxic elements in several Bihar districts has sharply increased the demand for packaged drinking water over the past decade. Rising health awareness among consumers has further accelerated this shift, leading more households to depend on bottled water.

The growing demand has also triggered a rapid expansion of small water packaging units across the state alongside established national brands. Bihar’s bottled water market is now estimated at ₹400–₹700 crore annually, with demand steadily spreading from major cities to smaller towns. Cities such as Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya now host a mix of reputed brands and numerous local bottling units.

Strong Market for Jars and Bottles

The industry mainly supplies 20-litre jars to homes and offices and sells 1-litre PET bottles through retail outlets. Retailers typically price one-litre bottles between ₹15 and ₹20, making competitive pricing a key feature of the market. According to Bihar Industries Association’s former president K. P. S. Keshari, more than 150 local players operate in the state alongside five or six established brands. Together, these units sell around two crore one-litre bottles every month. Keshari said consumer perception often drives this growing consumption rather than actual necessity. Many people now prefer bottled water even in places where tap water is considered safe.

Regulatory and Quality Concerns

Experts say the rapid increase in local bottling units has raised concerns about monitoring and quality compliance. Many small operators lack the infrastructure and quality control systems needed to maintain consistent standards. As the number of units grows, regulators find it increasingly difficult to monitor and oversee these small operations across the state.

Large Investments Enter the Sector

The expanding market has attracted major investments from organised players. A company has set up a ₹1,000-crore plant on a 35-acre site in Begusarai to supply bottled water to Bihar, eastern India and neighbouring Nepal. The facility will also serve as a logistics hub for eastern and northeastern India. Industry experts say Bihar is gradually emerging as an important hub for food processing and bottling industries, supported by state initiatives that promote local manufacturing.

Environmental Impact Raises Concerns

Environmentalists warn that the rapid growth of water packaging units reflects the gap between public water supply and the rising demand for safe drinking water. Environmentalist Mehta Nagendra Singh said municipal supply systems are struggling to keep pace with rapid urbanisation. As a result, households, offices and commercial establishments increasingly depend on packaged water. However, he cautioned that unchecked groundwater extraction by bottling units could worsen groundwater depletion and create environmental stress.

New Rules Tighten Oversight

Despite initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission aimed at expanding tap water access, issues such as unreliable supply, contamination and groundwater depletion continue to influence consumer behaviour. New regulations introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in December 2024 classify packaged drinking water as a high-risk food product, requiring annual third-party audits to ensure quality and safety compliance.

Public Health Concerns Persist

Public health experts say safe drinking water remains a major challenge in Bihar. Indian Medical Association’s former state president Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said waterborne diseases continue to place a significant burden on the state’s healthcare system. Although infrastructure has improved in recent years, diarrhoeal diseases remain a major concern, particularly among children, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring safe drinking water access.

Source: The Times of India