Sambalpur: Public Health Alert; Massive Sale of Fake Jar Water Rampant in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: Sambalpur city is facing a concerning issue regarding the drinking water. There are numerous suppliers selling jarred water, but consumers have no way to verify the source or manufacturing process of this water. People are essentially consuming water based on blind faith in these suppliers. Some unscrupulous traders have seized this opportunity to make a profit by selling water of questionable quality and origin.

After incidents of diarrhea and kidney diseases, many residents have lost trust in the city’s municipal water supply (PhD water). While some families have installed RO water purification systems, most people now rely on purchasing jarred water. This increasing demand has led to a proliferation of water supply companies operating in Sambalpur.

These companies supply 20-liter water jars directly to homes and offices. Well-known branded water like Bisleri, Aquafina, Kinley, and Baily is also available in smaller 1-liter, 500ml, and 250ml bottles. Among the brands selling 20-liter jars, Bisleri is the most popular, processing and bottling their water in Patnagarh, Balangir district. Their jars display batch numbers, and manufacturing dates, and cost Rs 90.

Sambalpur has two licensed companies, Splash and Aquahydrate, who also sell 20-liter jars with batch details for Rs 60. However, a significant portion of the city’s customers are being supplied by anonymous jarred water vendors at the same price point. In the mornings, these sellers sell their items door to door, but when questioned about their activities, they stay tight-lipped. Some claim to resale water from licensed companies, while others run improvised shops along the city’s main roadways and refuse to give their addresses.

According to reliable sources, unscrupulous sellers are setting up basic purification systems in their homes and selling the Bhalupali water in areas such as Dhanupali, Bareipali, Khetrajpur, and Badabazar. They lack advanced machinery and required permissions, but they manage to make a significant profit by operating at low expenses.

Shockingly, the Food Safety Department seems to be unaware of this rampant sale of unverified jarred water. They do not have information about the addresses or operations of these shady suppliers. If the district administration investigates this issue of fake water selling, the real picture of the traders involved may finally come to light.