Ministry probes contaminated bottled drinking water

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry is investigating public complaints regarding contaminated bottled drinking water, Public Health Services Deputy Director General Dr. Palitha Maheepala said.

Dr. Maheepala said the Ministry has taken 52 samples of bottled drinking water to conduct tests and arrangements have been made to obtain samples from the other registered bottled drinking water brands. The Ministry has approved and issued certificates to 106 brands of registered bottled drinking water.

The Ministry approves a brand of bottled drinking water after conducting a complete study through a team of experts.

This certificate is valid only for three years and bottled water producers have to apply for the certificate after every three years, he said.

Producers of bottled drinking water have to pay around Rs.75,000 to the Sri Lanka Standards Institute to get the certificate of Sri Lanka Standards Institute.